Monroe County Civic Theater wants community's input for 2024 performances
"You're invited," says management at Monroe County Civic Theater, for an open and public meeting, where community members are encouraged to share ideas and ask questions. At 4 p.m. Jan. 14, the public will gather in the Rose Firebay (blackbox theater) at the John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St.
Among other things, attendees will hear a review of MCCT's 2023 season and plans for 2024. MCCT members can pay their annual dues and vote on board members and officers. But participants need not be board members to get involved; all are welcome, regardless of status.
To promote the all-amateur theater, the company also will form committees. Opportunities will include volunteering in social media campaigns, motivating and retaining volunteers and speaking with area companies. An extra committee will form to plan the theater's 35th annual Shakespeare in the Park this summer, an event for which MCCT is particularly applauded.
No one gets paid, most everyone likes Shakespeare, and some have moved into paying gigs
"One of the key components that truly differentiates MCCT is that we are the only all-volunteer-based theater company in the area," said Kenny Hertling, actor and educator. "That means that every person on our board and in our productions wants to be there for the pure love of theater and connecting theater to the city of Bloomington. We are also the only company in town ensuring Shakespeare is a regular part of the lineup for shows."
MCCT has led to paid gigs for many area artists, including actors Emily McGee, Steve Scott and Steve Heise. "Someone on the Arts & Culture beat wrote a lovely article about (Heise) the year he was in several projects and called him 'the most in-demand actor this year in Bloomington,' or 'most popular actor,' something like that, around 2001," said Janet Templeton-Heise, Steve's wife. He has served on the board as well as directed and acted in many MCCT productions, as well as acting in professional theaters.
Figuring out what audiences want
Hertling believes Bloomington residents would benefit from being "stirred up a bit, making connections with each other, trying something new."
In the past, particularly during the pandemic, MCCT expanded its offerings with things such as podcasts and film and switching to doing plays via Zoom.
"This allowed us to work with the community safely to produce content," Hertling said, "while we were all building the plane as we were flying. Once we adjusted, we started taking public submissions again and getting a feel for what people want to see."
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Three years ago, Hertling attended his first annual MCCT board meeting. What tantalized him were community members suggesting plays to do and showing interest in theatrical roles, onstage and backstage.
"We are always interested in hearing what (productions) people want to see through the Production Submission Form available on our website. This helps us gauge community interest." The form also can be found at tinyurl.com/59mrbrat.
Free cabaret show, "Love Found & Love Lost," Feb. 17
Educator and performer Laura DeBrunner is directing Monroe County Civic Theater's Valentine’s Day musical cabaret show, "Love Found & Love Lost," with Bailey Noel as assistant director and Hannah Bowman stage managing.
DeBrunner is bringing back musical cabaret to MCCT after having directed a Halloween cabaret, "MCCT’s Halloween Spooktacular." She has music-directed or performed in a variety of other cabaret shows and finds them to be a good way for performers to showcase themselves, while letting audiences see works from different shows.
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"All types of love"
"All types of love" will appear in the cabaret, DeBrunner said. Specifically loss, with themes of anger, jealousy and sadness. The entire cast will perform "L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole.
Families are encouraged to attend the "Love" cabaret, as there will be no mature themes or profanity.
"Love Found & Love Lost" is at 3 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Monroe County Public Library auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. It's free and for all ages.
If you go
WHAT: Monroe County Civic Theater's 2024 annual meeting, open to the public. Ideas and questions welcome from all.
WHEN: 4 p.m. Jan. 14
WHERE: Rose Firebay (ground floor) at the John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St.
ALSO UPCOMING: The “Love” cabaret is 3 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Monroe County Public Library auditorium.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Monroe County Civic Theater wants community's input for 2024 season
