Michigan Opera Outreach and Lansing Matinee Musicale present
PARTY PIECES
A Benefit Gala featuring Michigan Opera Outreach Teaching Artists and Friends

Formal Attire Optional
Saturday, September 23. 7 pm
Turner-Dodge House, 100 E. North St., Lansing

​Free admission
Donations collected to benefit Michigan Opera outreach in their mission to bring music education and literacy to Lansing Area Schools.
This concert is sponsored by the City of Lansing and the Arts Council of Lansing.

One-person original show at MSU: “I Will Never Be Okay” - two performances Sunday, September 24.

MSU Department of Theatre student Amana Dec used the power of playwriting to help them make sense of their experience and possible healing after the shootings on the MSU Campus. 


Their very personal response to the tragedy forms the basis of the new original play, "I Will Never Be Okay" which premieres Sunday, September 24th in the Studio 60 Theatre in the Auditorium Building at 1:00 and 5:00. The thirty-minute performance will be followed by a student talkback with the audience. 

Admission is free, but donations will be accepted for End Gun Violence Michigan (EGVM). 

Parking is free in the lot across the street from the MSU Auditorium building. Enter through the entrance off Farm Lane and head downstairs on the south side of the building, past the Arena Theatre, down the hall to the Studio 60 Theatre.  
This event is part of PeaceQuest an international movement for peace that takes place across the globe in September.  Here are other Lansing events for PeaceQuest. https://peacequestgreaterlansing.org/
​

​New Peppermint Creek post-show discussion: 
"Afterthoughts: A Look Inside the Play from the Perspective of...You"


Any of you who have seen the thought-provoking "The Minutes" at Peppermint Creek Theatre — and any of you who WILL see it this coming, final weekend (Tickets at http://www.peppermintcreek.org) you are invited to meet this coming Monday September 18 from 6-8pm at Sycamore Creek Church, 1919 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing 48910. Attendance is FREE, but please send facilitator Doak Bloss a quick email to let us know you’re coming in order to plan refreshments. mailto:doakbliss@gmail.com
 
 “Afterthoughts” is meant to provide a space for audience members to talk about a play after it has closed.  It is not a talkback, in that there may be no one involved in the show attending, and if some do, the focus will not be on them but rather on the audience.  Through a sequence of questions from our facilitator, people who saw the show will be guided in talking through what it meant to them and how that might translate into changed thinking or action in our community. Central to our mission at Peppermint Creek is to produce theatre that addresses current issues and creates dialogue. And as all of PCTC’s plays this year in some way deal with difference, it is very likely that we will also get into the tricky business of having courageous conversations with others about race, class, gender, and other characteristics that tend to divide us in ways both healthy and unhealthy.

“Afterthoughts” may pose questions such as: 
·         What you saw and heard
·         What feelings and experiences it evoked
·         How you’ve processed the play since seeing it:  what it means, why it matters
·         What you’re taking away from the play:  changes in thinking, calls to action, strategies for talking with others about the issues raised.
 
Peppermint plans to continue this post-show “Afterthoughts” discussion for future shows as well; plan now to attend future shows and share the thoughts they provoked.

You're invited to a Grand Opening Gala for Peppermint Creek's new home - Stage One

Never before in Lansing has a 100-200 seat affordable stage been made available to community theater groups and artists of all kinds at Stage One, 2200 Lake Lansing Rd., Lansing, MI  48912.  Come celebrate the grand opening of a brand new arts hub that is the result of a partnership between Sycamore Creek Church’s Eastwood campus and community theater groups: Peppermint Creek Theater Company, Ixion Ensemble, and Hope Central Urban Arts.

To officially kick off the new space, we're hosting a GRAND OPENING GALA weekend (just one day wasn't enough for this exciting occasion)! Check out the line-up of events taking place at the end of this month, and then reserve your seats now for this momentous occasion for Peppermint Creek, and the entire arts community in Lansing, by clicking the button below.
Grand Opening Weekend Schedule of Events:

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RIBBON CUTTING & PRESS CONFERENCE
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 @ 4PM
(Free and open to the public)

BROADWAY BASH
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
(Ticket Price: $100)
7PM – Catered dinner by Soup Spoon Cafe
8PM – Performance by Blaine Krauss, Broadway’s newest star currently performing on tour in “Hamilton”. Dress is "after 5"/cocktail attire.

COFFEE, COOKIES & CURATED TOUR OF THE FACILITY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 @ 2PM
(FREE and open to the public)
For interested local arts organizations and individuals followed by a facilitated conversation about the state of arts in the greater Lansing region, led by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

RED CARPET BLACK TIE GALA
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30
(Ticket Price: $25)
7PM – Drinks & Hors d’oeuvres
8PM – Ribbon Cutting and Musical Performances by Lansing’s Best and Brightest. Dress is black tie/formal. We encourage audiences to "dress to the nines".

WORSHIP & YOUTH PERFORMANCE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
(FREE and open to the public)
10:30AM – Sycamore Creek Worship
1:00PM – Musical Performances by Lansing’s Upcoming Best and Brightest Youth
FREE BBQ lunch

Purchase Opening Weekend Tickets
https://peppermintcreek.org/event/stage-one-opening/

Busy-ness, being in a show — not able to make it to Lebowsky’s upcoming Wizard of Oz and do my usual glowing review — so I’m including their press release, here. This promises to be another HIT for the whole family!


Wizard of Oz opening night is Friday at Lebowsky Center in Owosso!

The 45 member cast will take you on an adventurous journey down the yellow brick road.

Show Dates: September 8, 9, 15, 16 @ 7:30pm; Sept. 9, 10, 16, 17 @ 2pm

Show Sponsors: Bruce & Susan Cannon; Drs. Jeannine Hopfensperger & Thomas Teal

Pinkney native Ava Taube, a current Michigan State student will make her Lebowsky debut as Dorothy.  The Cowardly Lion/Zeke, Travis Williams will also be making his musical debut in this show, although he previously wowed the audience at last December's Holiday Show with his performance of "Oh Holy Night." The Wicked Witch of the West/Miss Gulch, Dawn Sabourin of Clio is not new to the role but is new to the Lebowsky stage.  "We are excited for audiences to enjoy the performances of these talented new actors" said Lebowsky Center Artistic Director Garrett Bradley.  "The Wizard of Oz is so familiar to older generations, but we hope all the youngest audience members will fall in love with the story as the other generations have." 

Other principal roles includes some familiar faces: Michael Windnagle as The Scarecrow; Kaleb Kimerer as The Tin Man, Sarah Hayner as Glinda, and Bryan Dryer as the Wizard.  28 munchkins from several area schools make up the rest of the cast, along with adult ensemble members.  

A live orchestra conducted by Matt Meeuwse will provide music from the pit.  Tickets are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors and students, and $21 for children 12 and under.  Tickets are available at https://lebowskycenter.com/
 

​The Gentleman Caller by Philip Dawkins is an adult drama about the first meetings of two of America's greatest playwrights, Tennessee Williams (The Glass Menagerie,  A Streetcar Named Desire, and more)  and William Inge (Picnic, Bus Stop, and more). 

MSU MFA actor candidates Oscar Rodriguez Quiroz and Stefon Funderburke star. Rob Roznowski directs.

Three performances at the MSU Studio 60 Theatre. September 2 at 2:00 and 8:00 PM and September 3 at 2:00 pm. Admission is free but donations go to local LGBTQ+ Centers. 

And one performance at Williamston Theatre on September 17th at 7:00 PM. Admission is free but donations for this performance go to Williamston Theatre. 

Content warnings include adult language, sexual situations, and discussion of suicide. 

September 2023
9/2-3 - 2 & 8 pm Sat. 3pm Sun - The Gentleman Caller - adult drama by Philip Dawkins free but donations go to local LGBTQ+ Centers - MSU Auditorium Studio 60 lower level - repeats one show only at Williamston Theatre Sunday 9/17- 7pm, donations to Williamston Theatre - MSU - WT
9/7-10 & 14 – 17, 7pm;  3pm Sundays - The Minutes by Tracy Letts; Director Mary Job - at Sycamore Creek Church     
1919 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Lansing, 48910 - PCTC

9/8-10 & 15-17 - 7:30pm Fri & Sat; 2pm Sat & Sun - Wizard of Oz - LEB

9/10-11 - Sun. 2pm; Mon. 7pm - Auditions for It’s a Wonderful Life, directed by Guy Sanville (shows Dec. 1-10) Email mailto:starlightdinnertheatre@yahoo.com for location, list of characters and a perusal script - STL

9/11-12, 6:30-9:30 p.m. - Auditions - Sense and Sensibility - director Mary Job - LCC Black Box Theatre - LCC 

9/14-17 & 21-24 - 7pm Thu/8pm Fri-Sat/2pm Sun - Admissions by Joshua Harmon, Director Bob Robinson - Black Box stage - RWT

9/14 - 10/22  - Thu-Fri-Sat 8pm; Wed-Sat-Sun 2pm - On the Market by Jason Odell Williams, Director Tony Caselli; Sat. matinees start 9/23; Wed. matinees 10/11 & 18 - WT

9/15 - 7pm; 9/17 - 2pm - Rocky Mountain High - New Musical Laboratory formerly known as ImáGen - Music by Mark Hollmann & Drew Gasparini, Book & Lyrics by Kia Beth Kofron & Cooper Kofron, Director Marc Acito, Wharton Center Pasant Stage – MSU

9/24 & 25 at 7 pm - Auditions for Christmas Belles, Director Kate Dickinson ¯ - RWT

9/28 at 7:30pm; 9/29-30 at 8pm; 9/30 & 10/1 at 2pm – Love Is the Greater Labyrinth by Sor. Juana Ines De La Cruze translated from the Spanish by the UCLA Working Group on the Comedia in Translation and Performance, Director Oscar Quiroz - MSU Auditorium Studio 60 lower level - MSU



Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatres
​
LCC - Lansing Community College Arts - all shows at LCC Black Box Stage 1422 Gannon Bldg (Dart Auditorium is being renovated) www.lcc.edu/showinfo - 517-483-1122 


LEB - Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts - 122 E. Main St., Owosso, MI - LebowskyCenter.com - 989-723-4003


MSU - Michigan State University Department of Theatre - www.theatre.msu.edu - 517-432-2000


PCTC - Peppermint Creek Theatre Co. - multiple locations; see website - www.peppermintcreek.org - 517-927-3016


RWT - Community Circle Players at Riverwalk Theatre, www.RiverwalkTheatre.com, Museum Drive - 517-482-5700

STL - Starlight Dinner Theatre - 517-243-6040 - Waverly East Intermediate School - www.starlightdinnertheatre.com


WT - Williamston Theatre - 517-655-SHOW (7469) www.williamstontheatre.org 


Jane Zussman
G.L.U.T. List
(Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre)
517-323-6855
cell 517-930-0932
JSZussman@gmail.com
http://www.greaterlansingtheatre.net 
To review past emails as they were sent, click “About the G.L.U.T.” and choose “email list” from the drop-down menu — also check out the all-theatres calendar.

“Like” us on Facebook!
​

LCC's Musical Theatre Performance is back this fall, taught by Kelly Stuible-Clark. This class meets on Thursdays from 7-10pm and is available for credit (MUSC 237), or as a non-credit community education course (NCCE 200 80) for a fee of $100. Class begins Thursday, August 24.

This course will focus on skills to strengthen musical theatre performance by unlocking your unique talents and style. Through audition preparation, solo song coaching, acting tips, and scene work, this course is aimed at all experience and ability levels- from beginner to seasoned pro. 

If you have any questions about the class, please get in touch with Kelly at stuib1@lcc.edu.  
This course needs seven more people to sign up to "go" so if you're interested, don't sleep on signing up!
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​TRIAL PRACTICE ACTING GIG Fall 2023!
Use your acting and improvisational skills, have fun, help students and get paid at the same time!

RE: Dixon v. Providential Life Insurance Company


RIVERWALK THEATRE is once again looking for actors who are interested in playing the plaintiff and witnesses in mock trials for the MSU College of Law Trial Practice Institute.  If you are interested in an unusual acting gig where you will be taking case materials, building a character consistent with those materials and playing that character in the highly improvisational environment of a civil court case, this gig is for you!  


The current mock trial case arises out of a dispute over whether the death of Judge John J. Dixon’s, caused by a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, was the result of an accident or was intentional. Plaintiff Mary Dixon, Judge Dixon’s widow, filed for payout of the life insurance policy issued by Providential (defendant) after the Sheriff Altair Khouri and Medical Examiner Dr. Celli investigated the incident and concluded that the gunshot was accidental. Providential refused to pay the death benefit based on information that caused them to conclude that Judge Dixon intentionally shot himself nine days after taking out the policy and had obtained the policy by fraud and deceit.


There are 4 trials, all using the same case study over 2 days. We are looking for a total of 16 actors --2 actors to play the plaintiff, 2 actors to play the defendant and 12 other actors to play the other witnesses. Each character will appear in 2 trials, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. A $250 stipend will be paid for participation in this project.*  


Actors would need to be available on ALL of the following dates:
•    Saturday, October 7, 10- 11 am  – Actor orientation meeting (Hybrid Meeting -  In Person/ZOOM)
•    Saturday, October 14, 10 am – 2 pm - Witness interviews via ZOOM
•    Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19, 8:30am-3pm – Trials (at courthouse)


The Witnesses, their approximate ages, and a brief explanation of their roles in the trial are listed below. Except as noted, the actors may be male or female.


WITNESSES NEEDED:


For the Plaintiff-


Mary Dixon (Plaintiff) Mid 50’s-60’s – 2 female actors needed (Judge Dixon’s Widow) – Married 24 years to Judge  Dixon (*Plaintiff will receive a stipend of $300 since she must be present for the whole trial.)


Sheriff Altair Khouri (45-60’s)- male actor (Sheriff of Darrow County) – Investigated the incident and concluded that the shooting occurred while Judge Dixon was cleaning his gun and was accidental. Sheriff was a friend and hunting partner of the Judge.


Dr. Emery (Emily) Celli (50’s – 60’s) (Medical Examiner of Darrow County) – Investigated the scene of the incident, conducted an autopsy and concluded that the shooting was accidental. Was a friend and family physician of Judge Dixon.


Anna Martin – (female actor – 40’s -50’s) (Mary Dixon’s sister) - Mary lived with the Dixons for a brief period. She also hunted with Judge Dixon


For the Defense – 


Robert (Roberta) L. Wilson Defendant  -(45 – 60’s) 2 actors needed -(General Manager for the Defendant Providential Insurance) - Denied the claim based on the insurance company’s investigation which concluded that the death was suicide. Since the death occurred within the two year exclusion time period, the death benefit was denied and the premium paid was returned. (*Defendant will receive a stipend of $300 since he/she must be present for the whole trial.)


Morgan Crowe – (40’s-60’s) Stockbroker who invested money for Judge Dixon. He was a friend of both Judge Dixon and Robert Wilson.
Carter Berman  (late 30’s – 50’s) (Chief of the Audit and Investigative Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Nita) – Investigated a shortfall in fines and fees submitted to the state by Judge Dixon’s court. The investigation ultimately resulted in the conviction of Judge Dixon’s Court Clerk of embezzlement. 


Dr. Allister (Allison) Upchurch (40’s – 60’s) (Psychiatrist) – At the request of Providential, Dr. Allister rendered an opinion that the death was a suicide. He based this on materials provided by Providential.


If you are interested in playing any of these witnesses or obtaining further information, please contact TOM FERRIS at tjferris49@gmail.com, by FRIDAY, September 22. Please include a photo (If you have not participated previously), your acting age range, contact information (email, phone and home address) and any information you believe might be helpful to us, including the role(s) in which you are interested.