Break a leg. Riverlea Theatre Newsletter November 2018

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1 Break a leg Dear Riverlea Supporters, Can you believe that we are nearly at the end of another year? I wish the weather knew what date it was, and then it might hurry up and settle into a summer pattern I m so sick of watering my veges and getting rained on half way through! Zoot Suit Christmas is well underway, and our audiences are enjoying the production immensely. Well done to all of the patrons who have got into the spirit of things and have arrived appropriately dressed for a speakeasy we have seen some truly fabulous costumes. Final performances run on Thursday Friday and closing night this Saturday the 15th. Tickets are available through iticket at but you will need to be quick as some of the final performances are nearly booked out. Musikmakers production of Annie Jr is well into rehearsals and things are looking and sounding good. This would be the perfect show to help liven up the holidays and counteract the anti-climax after Christmas. Tickets are available now through iticket; the season runs from 15th to 19th January We have an exciting line-up of productions for next year watch this spot! The flyer will be out soon, and we will get ticketing information up on iticket as soon as we can in the New Year. Just some advance warning that the office will be closed from the end of Friday 21st December reopening at 10am on Tuesday 15th January And remember that we are always happy to see you in the theatre to volunteer for Front of House, backstage tasks such as set-crew or dressers, or many hands to help with tidying and maintenance around the building. As the saying goes, the show must go on but it doesn t do so without the unsung heroes behind the scenes. Thank you to all of you who have helped out this year it is greatly appreciated. Finally, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a fabulous, magical Christmas and a safe and fun-filled New Year. Take care and join us again in Jane Norridge Theatre Manager Riverlea Contacts Riverlea Board Chairperson Nan Russell Postal PO Box Musikmakers President David Taylor Hillcrest, Hamilton Playbox President Lee Owens enquiries@riverlea.org.nz Theatre Manager Jane Norridge Phone Ph: Page 1 of 13

2 Wardrobe The Riverlea wardrobe is open for Costume Hire by appointment. Please call the Theatre on for any enquiries. From the Chair As I reflect on the year that has been at Riverlea, I find myself once again starting with the amazing people and talent that we have in our wider Riverlea Family. That is not only on the Theatre side, but also those who give their time and talent to the Building Committee, Fundraising Committee, the Bar, and the multitude of other jobs that keep the Theatre running. We have some exciting events planned for 2019 the Fundraising Committee has started the planning for High Tea at the Old Creamery, and our First Annual Masquerade Ball. I encourage you to mark these dates in your calendar, as the tickets will go fast, and both promise to be really fun ways to support Riverlea. We have made some progress on the Building Project, with applications for Resource Consent being prepared now. We are working on a Corporate Fundraising Campaign to launch in 2019 with a goal to be building Stage One by It s an ambitious project and we need everyone with a fondness for Riverlea to consider helping in any way that is possible. If you haven t got tickets to the Christmas show, Zoot Suit Christmas, I highly recommend you do it s getting lots of positive feedback and the season is on until December 15th. Finally, a big thank you to everyone involved in Riverlea. It s been a real privilege to work with and get to know so many of the people that are the heart of Riverlea. I don t believe there is a nicer, more talented, hardworking, passionate group out there and it really is my privilege to serve you as the Chair of Riverlea. Have a safe and fabulous break over the holiday period, and I look forward to working with you all in Nan Russell, Riverlea Chair Musikmakers ~ Auditions in 2019 Auditions for '13' Auditions for 'Catch Me If You Can' February Watch for details on our Facebook page. Auditions website available soon. Season for '13' is 18 May to 1 June March 2019, with a pre-audition workshop on 25 March 2019 at Riverlea Theatre. More details early next year in this newsletter and on our Facebook page. Ph: Page 2 of 13

3 Playbox This is it, the last time we get to thank you in Thank you for all your support, thank you to those that helped with all our shows, thank you to those of you that attended, thank you to the wonderful committee that has kept things going this year. Your Playbox Committee is an amazing group of people who volunteer their time and energies on a regular basis. The Committee want to have fun, do what we enjoy and help make the experience a great one for anyone being part of a Playbox production. If we have failed in that at any point this year, we apologise. I want to acknowledge these fantastic people that are the heart of Playbox: Lorna Ashton Charlotte Mann Mark Perry Helen Eyeington Jamie Thomas Jason Wing Ann Mahon Glen Mathews Jayden Watkins He aha te mea nui o te ao, he tangata, he tangata, he tangata What is the most important thing in this world? It is people, it is people, it is people Do you have a need to do some fundraising then why not look at having a benefit night. These are where you pay a set price for the whole auditorium (usually a final dress rehearsal at a very reasonable cost) and then can sell the seats as whatever price you want. It is a unique and fantastic way to make some funds for your group/charity/team/workplace. Contact us if you are keen to look at this. This can be for any of the shows we are hosting next year. FRANKENSTEIN AUDITIONS HELD 8 th & 9 th DECEMBER Cast will be announced in the first newsletter next year or if you can t wait for that check out our Playbox Facebook page where announcements will be made. A drama by Bo List based on the Mary Shelley novel. Directed by Lorna Ashton Performing from 30 th March to 13 th April 2019 THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE An adaption by Joseph Robinette from C.S. Lewis. Directed by Coryn Knapper Performing from 6 th to 20 th July 2019 DIAL M FOR MURDER Written by Frederick Knott, based on the Alfred Hitchcock crime mystery. Directed by Jason Wing Performing from 12 th to 26 th October 2019 Annual Awards & AGM 4 March Nominations for our Annual Awards are being collated for our 2018 season. Ph: Page 3 of 13

4 Come along on 4 th March at 6.30pm to share some nibbles and drinks (bar will be open) before our AGM and Awards Ceremony start at 7pm. 24 Hour Play Challenge 26 & 27 April Planning is underway already for the Play Challenge. We learnt a few things from last time we ran it so hoping it will be even better this time round. Note the dates in your diaries, start getting your teams interested and we will have registration information out in the New Year. TheatreFest Competition Local Competition 7-9 June Hamilton Playbox will be hosting a local competition in June this year. These are great fun and you can enter and receive an adjudication as a non-competitive entry. Of course, there is also the competitive entry with the opportunity to be selected for Regionals and then if you are successful again the opportunity to go onto the finals to be held in Wellington. Playbox are seeking expressions of interest for those that may want to be part of our Theatrefest entry. Please theatrefest@playbox.org.nz for information and to express your interest. If you want to be kept informed of society news as it happens you can sign up for the Keeping Informed list at or you can keep an eye on the website at See you at Riverlea. Lee Owens President Musikmakers Kia ora everyone. Isn t it amazing to think that we are nearly at the end of the year, Christmas is just around the corner and that will quickly be followed by 2019! I would like to take a moment in this article to say thanks. Thanks to all the people that audition for our shows; thanks to all the actors that put in endless hours rehearsing songs, lines and dance moves; thanks to all the people that run around in black ensuring the actors are seen, heard and have the right equipment; thanks to the production teams that arrange all the little things behind the scenes; thanks to the creative team that have the vision and strive to fulfil it whilst ensuring the production is of the best quality; thanks to the family members who do without their loved ones for weeks on end or have to put up with hearing the same line/song again and again; and thanks to all those that come to see the shows, you are who we do it for. All of you have a very special role in ensuring a production is a success, and without even the tiniest part it would fall over. Musikmakers appreciates each and every one of you. Continuing in the same vein, I would personally like to publicly recognise the contributions of the Musikmakers committee, Johan, Mel, Michelle, Jenni, Maureen, Paula, Julia, Toni, Helena, John and Mike. These people have worked hard this year ensuring that Musikmakers runs like a well-oiled machine. Without such a great team I would find my role very difficult indeed. I would also like to acknowledge their families who lose a family member for monthly meetings and any other time they are called on. Thanks team. Continuing our in-depth look at the committee, here is the latest instalment: Name: Michelle Boyde Role on committee: Membership Secretary and General Nuisance. First show: I played the wicked witch (typecast) in my primary school s adaptation of Sleeping Beauty. First MM show: Pirates of Penzance. I was the idiot sister. Interests outside theatre: Travel, tramping, travel and a bit more travel. Did I mention travel? Ph: Page 4 of 13

5 Theatre roles: Started in the kitchen at Napier Operatic, graduated to props, crew and onstage in musicals and plays. Have directed a few (awesome) shows with amazing, talented people, and can currently mostly be found behind the bar Favourite show you have worked on: I particularly loved working on All Shook Up. There was something special about the connections we all made and, being the first show I directed for Musikmakers, that was pretty awesome too. If you could get tickets to any one show, what would it be: Hamilton. Tickets were so expensive I couldn t justify seeing it in New York. What other societies have you done shows with: I ve also been involved with Napier Operatic. They really started my musical theatre journey. What s your favourite show song: Can t help falling in love from All Shook Up. It builds amazingly and gives you goosebumps every time you hear it. Favourite classic movie: Dirty Dancing. Isn t it every woman s?! If you could visit any one country what would it be: Just one?! My bucket list is a lot bigger than that. Russia is probably top of the list (followed closely by Mongolia... Costa Rica...) Favourite visual artist: Van Gogh. Starry night is just spectacular. Most memorable show blooper: Rushing off stage with Johan during a Pirates of Penzance production week rehearsal. Kicked the set (in bare feet) and broke my toe in two places! Finally, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, happy holidays and Happy New Year. I hope to see you all in 2019 at our shows. Have a great month, Ka kite ano David After school Performing Arts classes Ages from 6 years to adult Are you interested in developing performing arts skills in all aspects of live theatre? Starting 12 th February Phone the Manager at Riverlea Theatre on Hamilton for enquiries Ph: Page 5 of 13

6 Leave a Bequest to Riverlea Theatre After you have provided for your loved ones, please consider making a bequest to Riverlea Theatre & Arts Centre Inc. in your Will. You can make a difference to your local arts community long after you have gone, and help secure the future of Riverlea Theatre for future generations to enjoy. Riverlea Theatre is a not-for-profit organisation that relies on donations and fund-raising to provide a high quality theatre experience. With funds needed to facilitate future building redevelopment plans, we need the community's support more than ever before. For further information about bequests or how you can help Riverlea Theatre please phone the Theatre Manager Jane on or enquiries@riverlea.org.nz Need something to do? Nothing to do on Thursday mornings? Come along to the theatre and help Lorna and Robyn out with tidying and organising of props and costumes. They generally start around 10am and any time you could give them would be greatly appreciated. Tea and coffee (and the occasional biscuit) are provided. Ph: Page 6 of 13

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8 PO Box 24005, Abels Phone Mobile RIVERLEA THEATRE Zoot Suit Christmas Starter Festive Nibbles Boxed - served at tables Main Buffet Glazed Ham on the bone with Peach & Mango Relish & Wholegrain Mustard Roast Stuffed Turkey Breasts with Gravy and Cranberry Sauce Gourmet Potatoes with Butter & Parsley Roast Vegetable Medley Selection Garden Greens in season Tossed Garden Salad Baskets of French Sticks Christmas Sweet Treats Basket Boxed - served at tables Fruit Mince Meat Tartlets Brownie & Profiteroles with Strawberries Christmas Chocolates Ph: Page 8 of 13

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11 What s happening in 2019? Ph: Page 11 of 13

12 What s happening in 2020? Pictures from Zoot Suit Christmas (Photos by Kerry Blakeney-Williams) Ph: Page 12 of 13

13 From the Editor I am staring blankly at the screen trying to come up with something witty to write for the last column of the Riverlea Newsletter.. and nothing is stirring in my head. The whirlwind of activity in the last few months have left my brain resembling tapioca pudding. Granted, it is a tenuous and weak comparison, but it is my excuse and I am sticking with it! The year ahead looks like a ripper and it starts with a bang with the junior version of Annie in January; something to help keep the kids occupied Frankenstein has held its auditions and the cast are to be announced soon, and the auditions for 13 are to be held in February A busy year ahead. With the festive season rapidly approaching the team at Riverlea Theatre wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope your holiday break is a relaxing one and we will see you all in the New Year! See you in February. Ed I like the ephemeral thing about theatre, every performance is like a ghost - it's there and then it's gone. Maggie Smith Ph: Page 13 of 13