Advancing to the Next Round...

It's FINALLY 2014! And you know what that means...

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee!

This quirky show already has everyone thrilled to see it come to life in March, and now there's reason for even more excitement! After a close audition process, a cast has been chosen. Before we announce these talented singers to the general public, QCT is going to give you a chance to decipher WHO is in the show and WHAT they're playing.

Take a crack at it by looking at our picture below, then posting your guesses on our Facebook page (QuincyCommunityTheatre):

CHARACTER LIST
Marcy Park
Vice Principal Panch
Chip Tolentino
Rona Lisa Peretti
Schwartzy
Leaf Coneybear
Mitch Mahoney
William Barfee
Olive Ostrovsky

 

Learning the Dance of Oz

Welcome back to the Oz Blog!
I'm going to apologize first, as I am later with posting a blog than I would have liked. I recently bought a house, and just recently hooked up internet!
Rehearsals have been going well. We have a mighty cast, who has been putting in a lot of hours so far.
A lot of the time so far has been spent singing and dancing, which is something we need to learn right away so we have it down solid.
Dancing hasn't been my strong suit. But we've had the talented and amazing Cheryl Kaiser coming in every night and helping us as we (sometimes) struggle through the choreography.
The dancing in the Wizard of Oz is iconic I think. The movie was watched by so many people, which means just as many people will want to see a certain move or a certain step.
What's important to remember, I think, is choreography isn't just stepping on the right count, it's having a motivation to make that step. Cheryl really helps to put that into perspective for us. She brings humor to our dance rehearsals which is always welcomed.
I've been getting some snapshots and videos of rehearsals to give you all a little preview as to what we have sweating through. (Some more than others...)
This first video is too cute. The Munchkins have been working really hard so far, and here's a little inside look at what they have for us.

 

This video features some nice "crow dancing" from our very own Lenny Bart. In this scene, Cheryl teaches Wes Friday the "crow dance", and David Samuels, Cowardly Lion, and our esteemed director Lenny fill in as the other Crows. 

 

 These pictures also feature Brandon, the Scarecrow, with his "If I Only Had a Brain" number. We can't wait for you to see it, it's swell!

 

 

 

Don't forget, tickets on are on sale now, so get them TODAY!

Click here to visit the QCT website!

Let's start with a little family history.

Hello, guten tag, aloha, and ciao to all the QCT blog followers!
I'm Meghan, a member of the ensemble of The Wizard of Oz.

This is practically a dream come true to do this show.
To give you a little background on yours truly, I come from a family where theatre is certainly not the "norm." It's usually centered around sports (specifically the Chiefs, or Royals)

The person who always pushed me to do theatre was my great Uncle Charlie, who lived in Kansas City (I hear everything's up to date there.)

Uncle Charlie was an actor himself.

Uncle Charlie lived anywhere and everywhere for theatre. He used to tell me about his run-ins with famous actors. Although he just called them his friends. 

One actress in particular you might be familiar with....

...recognize her?

That's Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch of the West.
Charlie and Ms. Hamilton were quite good friends; she used to call to him "Hey K.C.!" 

My connection to him and this show makes it all the more special.

Charlie passed away in 2005, and won't be seeing our production of this, but regardless, I'm dedicating my performance to him....and a special lady who is would be happy to see us keeping The Wizard of Oz alive.

Meet our Stage Manager!

by Kelsey Pigg 

Keeping a production on the rails is no easy task. Not only do you have to make sure everyone is where they need to be when they need to be there, but you ALSO have to:

• Read the show and attend all rehearsals 
• Assist the Director in rehearsals with actor preparation
• Keep a calendar of any rehearsals that cast or crew must miss
• Mark cues for all segments of the production (lights, sounds, special effects, scene changes, etc.)
• Check all props with prop chair for production
• Note blocking and notes from Director
• Notify cast & crew with any instructions from the Director
• Make and maintain a performance sign-in sheet for cast & crew
• Be responsible for stage maintenance during productions
• Time dress rehearsals
• Make sure all aspects are ready for the show to open before the house opens (sound checks, pre-set, & props, the house opens 30 minutes before curtain time)
• Work with the Technical Director to assign crew personnel jobs during production
• Call the show
• Secure the building following rehearsals and performances (checking that lights are off and checking the green room for cleanliness)
• Be present at show strike
• Gather scripts and turn them into office

 With so much to do, our Stage Managers are pretty much super human!

And the Stage Manager for Sylvia is no exception! From giving the actors "treats" when we're good to spraying us with a bottle of water when we do something bad, Paige Mueller has been working hard to keep us all in line. (Just kidding. She doesn't squirt us with a water bottle, but she does give us treats).

Holding a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Music Education from Millikin University, Paige teaches grades K-6 General/Vocal Music in Camp Point. Since her first audition roughly two years ago, Paige has been seen onstage in The Boy Friend, OKLAHOMA!, and 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL. For Paige, it's the people, the atmosphere, and the chance to do something fun that keeps her returning time and time again.

"Being involved in the theatre allows you a chance to play and as adults how often are we given opportunities to play?" says Paige. "You get to work with people that you might not meet anywhere else, but already have a connection [with] because you are a part of the QCT family."

On behalf of the cast and crew, congratulations on making that jump from actress to Stage Manager! 

Do you know a Stage Manager in the making? For 2014 opportunities, call Managing Artistic Director Lenny Bart at (217) 222-3209!

Sylvia (September 12-15 & 19-22). Tickets are $18, on sale now. For tickets or more information, call the QCT Box Office at (217) 222-3209 or visit 1qct.org.
NOTE: Sylvia contains strong language necessary to the plot and some mature themes. 

How does a WOMAN play a DOG?

by Kelsey Pigg

Excellent question, Smithers! In QCT's upcoming production of Sylvia, I look like a woman...I talk like a woman...so what makes me so dog-like? 

The answer? Behavior! It's all about capturing the essence of the doggy demeanor. The tail-wagging, the sniffing, the rolling, the licking. Everything a dog does, everything a dog feels. So, after shadowing my dog for weeks (and making him feel rather uncomfortable in the process), I've compiled "A Guide to Dogdom: A Pooches Pal." Let's begin with the basics...

LESSON ONE: Tail Wagging
Why do dogs wag their tails? To express their emotions! The next time you look at a dog, watch its tail closely. The position of the tail can tell you a lot about what the dog is feeling. If it's lifted and waving back and forth excitedly, your pup is "pawfectly" happy. If it's tucked in between the dog's legs, that dog is submissive...or afraid. Still wagging, but low to the ground? That is one worried pooch.

Let's try it! Stand up and imagine that there is a tail extending from your tailbone. Imagine waving your tail back and forth...and ignore that person who is now staring at you! Good. Wave it faster. Try it slower. Get your entire body into it. Now, why is it moving? Are you happy because you're super good at tail-wagging? Are you insecure because that person is still staring at you? Use your emotions to make your tail wag real!

Why, you'll be a puppy pro in no time! Keep working on that tail wag and check back soon for your next lesson.

And don't miss Sylvia (September 12-15 & 19-22)! Tickets are $18, on sale now. For tickets or more information, call the QCT Box Office at (217) 222-3209 or visit 1qct.org.
NOTE: Sylvia contains strong language necessary to the plot and some mature themes. 

RUFF! Sylvia has a cast!

RUFF! RUFF! RUFF! BARKETY BARK BARK!

Translation: HEY! HEY! HEY! QCT has a cast for Sylvia!
 
After an excellent audition process filled with so many talented performers, QCT has officially announced the doggone funny cast that will dig up a ton of laughter in Sylvia. And believe us when we say that this cast is definitely something to howl about.

Who are these mysterious performers? Wait no longer...take a look below:

Greg  | TERRELL DEMPSEY
Kate | VICKI DEMPSEY
Sylvia | KELSEY PIGG
Tom/Phyllis/Leslie | MICHAEL GASH

NOTE: Sylvia contains strong language necessary to the plot and some mature themes. 

9 TO 5: Friendships Forged

by Tracy Fountain

As 9 TO 5 prepares to open this Thursday, I am reminded about how far we have come since meeting for the first time at the end of May. Thirty five (or so) of us looking around the theatre (some of us probably thinking “what have I gotten myself into?”). Some of us knew each other, some did not. For several of the actors, it was their first time being involved in a QCT production; for others, it was the 2nd, 10th, or 20th time. Introductions were made, scripts were handed out, and the journey began.

Rehearsal after rehearsal, names started going with faces. Inside jokes were shared. Invitations were extended to grab a quick bite to eat after rehearsal. Facebook friend requests were sent out. Phone numbers were exchanged...

 

And it happened. The group who walked in the theatre in May as individuals will link arms on Thursday not only as a cast...but as friends. And that, to me, is the most amazing thing about the theatre. Everyone enters the theatre from a different place in their lives and by different paths. And yet, by the time the curtain rises, those roads have merged and new paths forged out of friendship and camaraderie. So to my fellow cast-mates, and now friends, BREAK A LEG!