THE PROMPTER OCTOBER 2016 Volume 4 Number 4 A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT Hello! Welcome to another year with the Tree County Players. We are happy to be kicking off another season full of wonderful theatrical presentations. I truly believe we have something for everyone. First, let me introduce myself to you. My name is Cathy Lincourt and I am the new president of TCP. This is my second year on the board and I am relatively new to the Greensburg area. My husband and I retired to Lake Santee about two years ago. I have been involved in several TCP shows including Fiddler on the Roof. I am a retired music teacher and have directed children s shows (as well as written a few) and was very active in Community Theater in northwest Indiana. I am excited to be a part of TCP as we continue to grow and present varied theatrical offerings. We have a new logo. After many years of having the same time honored logo, we decided it was time for a new one. Great thought was given to the design and I feel it both captures our heritage and gives a nod to our craft. The board felt it was important for the leaves of our tree to be colorful - to show we offer something during every season of the year, and that we include the stylized comedy/tragedy masks (Did you find them?) that salute our theatrical art. Look for it around town, in different communications, and maybe even on a t-shirt! You ll know it s us when you see it! This year s season is filled with a variety of special performances. We have several staged readings. These help us decide if we d like to produce the show at a later date. We have a wonderful holiday musical revue, That 70 s Christmas Revue, featuring songs that were seen on all those wonderful family style shows during the 70 s, such as Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, The Carpenters, and Donny and Marie. In spring we have Almost Maine followed by Mary Poppins (in June). Throw in a youth theater camp and a musical revue at the Fairgrounds this summer and we ve got a complete season. IN THIS ISSUE TCP Dates to Remember. 2 Board Members..2 Member Appreciation Event. 3 That 70 s Christmas Revue.3 Tribute to Dave Stults..4 New Logo...5 New TCP Board 5 2016-17 Season 6 2015-16 Awards 7 & 8 Membership Benefits......9 School Drama Information....10 Meet The Board... 11 It s also membership drive time. Many of you are faithful TCP supporters and I applaud you. Please help us add to our ranks by recommending us to your friends and family. The price of a personal or family membership is barely the price for a family to eat at McDonald s. Or, consider becoming a benefactor by upping your donation a bit. All of your donations go back into producing shows like the ones listed above. Finally, consider becoming an active member by donating your time to help with some of these shows. We can always use YOU here at Tree County Players. As always, thank you for your continued support of TCP. Look for the new logo! Theatrically yours, Cathy Lincourt 1
TCP DATES TO REMEMBER 10-17-16 Board Meeting 6 PM - TCP Office 10-21-16 Member Appreciation Event 7 PM - TCP Office 10-28-16 Christmas Revue Auditions 6-8 PM - TCP Office 10-29-16 Christmas Revue Auditions 10 AM-12 PM TCP Office 11-21-16 Board Meeting 6 PM - TCP Office 12-02-16 That 70 s Christmas Revue 7 PM Decatur County Schools Admin. Bldg. 12-03-16 That 70 s Christmas Revue 7 PM Decatur County Schools Admin. Bldg. 12-19-16 Board Meeting 6 PM - TCP Office To provide an organization in which people with theatrical and musical interests can develop their skill, understanding and appreciation of drama while offering theatrical performances for the enjoyment and educational enrichment of community members. Board Members President: Cathy Lincourt 219-613-1723 music_diva@etczone.com Vice-President: Brian Ingmire 812-212-5036 bearheartraven@gmail.com Secretary: Laura Simmonds 812-614-2598 laura.abrellsimmonds@gmail.com Treasurer: Nancy Porter 812-569-7806 nanporter56@gmail.com Member: Tammy Bates 812-371-8678 tbates87@localnet.com Member: Jacob Crosley 765-748-8904 jcrossley@decaturco.k12.in.us Member: Jason Dwenger 812-614-0047 dwengerjason@gmail.com Member: Megan Gehrich 765-894-5306 mgehrich@stmarysgreensburg.com Member: Abby Jones 812-212-4732 abbylynjones@yahoo.com Teen Member: Garrett Bates Teen Member: Kelsey Moorman Teen Member: Rylie Smith Tree County Players -- The Prompter Published quarterly T. Zins editor Office Address: 327 S. Monfort St. Greensburg, IN 47240 Mailing Address: PO Box 423 Greensburg, IN 47240 Web Site: tcpgreensburg.com E Mail: treecountyplayers@gmail.com 2
Member Appreciation Event October 21, 2016 7 pm TCP Building A special free event for TCP Members only! Enjoy free popcorn and soft drinks, while you watch a TCP past performance video. Come and see great theater from our past. Who knows? Maybe you ll be in the featured show! Dec. 2 & 3, 2016 7 PM Remembering TV s 1970 s family Christmas specials (Bing Crosby, The Carpenters, Andy Williams, Donny & Marie), TCP kicks-off the holiday season with a trip down memory lane. Join us for a Christmas party featuring a musical revue of classic Christmas and holiday favorites. Show dates are December 2 and 3, 2016 at the Decatur County Community Schools Administration Building (formerly A-Z Occasions 2020 N. Montgomery Rd., Greensburg). The show begins at 7 PM. Advance tickets will be available after November 10 by calling Therese (812-528- 5289). Remaining tickets will be on sale at the door on show nights. Tickets are $12 for TCP members, $5 for youths (age 18 and under) and $15 for non-members. Auditions for the show, written by director Cathy Lincourt, will be conducted on October 28, 2016 from 6-8 PM, and on October 29, 2016 from 10 AM noon. All auditions will be held at the TCP building (327 S. Monfort St., Greensburg). Auditioners should prepare a sixteen bar Christmas themed vocal selection. Bring sheet music - an accompanist will be provided. Vocal ranges will also be tested. All auditions are by appointment only call Cathy (219-613-1723). Contact the director if you need to schedule an alternate audition time. Specialty acts (instrumentals, dancers, comedy, etc.) may also be cast. Come to auditions prepared to demonstrate your talent. 3
Dave Stults On September 16, 2016, Tree County Players and Decatur County lost a mentor, member, friend, and arts advocate. Former TCP president Dave Stults lost his long battle with cancer. TCP is saddened by his loss and sends sympathy to his family and friends. Dave had been a theatrical and musical enthusiast since his college days. He was an active supporter of the arts in his home of Westport and in Greensburg, particularly as liaison between the Westport Area Business Association, Tree County Players, and the Arts and Cultural Council. A retired Navy commander, his only TCP stage performance was as Commander Woodard in On Our Way. He began his active TCP involvement in 1991, when he negotiated a Steel Magnolias Westport performance. That show began a trend and several other shows were performed at the Westport Community Building. Soon Dave became a TCP Board member and, as in most of the organizations he supported, he became the group s president. In addition to TCP, Dave s memberships included the Westport Area Business Association, International King Midget Car Club, Holland Club of the United States Submarine Veterans, Inc., Decatur County Arts & Cultural Council, and the Decatur County Community Foundation. He worked hard to ensure that others had the opportunity to enjoy lots of arts and cultural activities. Dave did so much for Tree County Players: producing, sets, set-up, ticket selling, proofreading the newsletter (Old Eagle Eyes), building maintenance, organization, running lights, and just being a friend totcp. CJ (Charles) Adams said it best: He had a wicked and grand sense of humor. That was something I loved about him: his humor. I used to say to everyone that one of my favorite things was seeing Dave laugh. He was like a bloodhound and a bulldog mixed in regards to his facial expressions. His physical demeanor was very military. But the great thing was that when he laughed his face lit up----i mean, LIT UP---and his whole body shook up and down. It was infectious. You knew he was enjoying himself, relishing that laugh, that moment. There was nothing like seeing Dave laugh. And when it was over he went straight back to that military poise. Which added to the joy I got from his laughter. He touched many, many lives. We will miss him immensely! Rest in peace. A life well lived is the most exquisite work of art (Erwin Mcmanus) Dave in On Our Way, with Dennis Harmon. 4
INTRODUCING OUR NEW LOGOS Tree County Players is excited to share our new logos! The old logo served us well, but no electronic version existed and using it on the internet, and social media and in print, required scanning the logo from a paper document. Over the years, the drama masks so cleverly incorporated into the old design disappeared. The board felt it was time for a new, fresher, more electronic media friendly logo. After much discussion and revision, the new logo was approved. The logo still uses a tree theme. The different colors used on the leaves of the tree represent the annual seasons and Tree County Players goal of presenting performances throughout the year. The drama masks are still there - comedy in the c and tragedy in the y. The designer provided multiple logo versions, including embroidery and silk screen versions, so we will be able to use them in all future branding. We hope you like the design and that you ll look for it in our marketing. 2016-17 BOARD MEMBERS and OFFICERS Three new board members were elected at the August 6 annual meeting. Welcome Jacob Crosley, Jason Dwenger and Laura Simmonds. New officers were elected at the new season s first board meeting. New officers are: Cathy Lincourt president, Brian Ingmire vicepresident, Laura Simmonds secretary, and Nancy Porter treasurer. Other board members accepted responsibility for the following duties: membership Jacob Crosley, building and assets Jason Dwenger, historian Tammy Bates, public relations Abby Jones, and advance production planning Megan Gehrich. Three teens (one from each Decatur County school) were also added as non-voting board members. These teens will bring a youthful perspective and, we hope, act as a catalyst for more youth involvement. They are Garrett Bates from South Decatur, Kelsey Moorman from North Decatur and Rylie Smith from Greensburg High School. Remember board meetings are open to the general membership. Please come and volunteer. 5
ANNOUNCING OUR 2016-17 SEASON Member Appreciation Event October 21, 2016 7 pm TCP Building A special free event for TCP Members only! Enjoy free popcorn and soft drinks while you watch a TCP past performance video. Come and see great theater from our past. Who knows maybe you ll be in the featured show! That 70 s Christmas Revue December 2 & 3, 2016-7 pm Decatur County Schools Admin. Bldg. (formerly A Z Occasions) Remembering TV s 1970 s family Christmas specials Bing Crosby, The Carpenters, Andy Williams, Donny & Marie and many others, TCP kicks-off the holiday season with a trip down memory lane. Join us for a musical revue of classic Christmas and holiday favorites. June 22 & 23, 2017 7 pm and June 24, 2017 2pm - GJHS Everyone s favorite practically perfect nanny takes the stage in this Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that "Anything can happen if you let it. Music and lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman. Book by Julian Fellowes (Downton Abbey). July 2017 - Dates TBD In development - TCP plans to present a musical event at the Decatur County Fair. Watch the TCP website, Facebook page or newsletter for more information. Apr. 28 & 29, 2017-7 pm TCP Building On a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter, all is not quite what it seems in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, Almost's residents find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways in this delightful midwinter night's dream. In development - TCP will offer another summer theater camp for young people (and maybe an evening session for adults). Learn theater basics, backstage skills, and then pull it all together with a public performance. Watch the TCP website, Facebook page or Newsletter for more information. 6
2015-16 SEASON AWARD WINNERS Congratulations to the 2015-16 season award winners. Each year three professional non-decatur County judges rate our performers and show. Directors/producers present backstage awards to persons or committees either highly rated by the judges or who helped make the production a success. The prestigious President s Award is bestowed upon a person who has made an outstanding contribution to TCP. And the winners are: PATIO - PORCH DOUBT a parable Best Actress in show & Best Actress of Season Lois Schrott as Dot Best Supporting Actress Donna Swinford as Lucille Best Actress Afton Shepherd as Sr. James Excellence in Acting Darin Richart as Fr. Flynn DIXIE SWIM CLUB BACKSTAGE AWARDS PATIO-PORCH Therese Zins DOUBT Nancy Porter DIXIE SWIM CLUB Therese Zins Best Actress Lois Schrott as Vernadette SEUSSICAL JR Donna Swinford and Therese Zins 7
2015-16 SEASON AWARD WINNERS (cont.) SEUSSICAL JR. SEUSSICAL JR. Best Actor Justin Bates as The Cat in the Hat Best Youth Actor Ryan Rutherford as Jojo Best Actress Krista Woodhull as Gertrude Best Youth Actress Ava Kroger as Mrs. Mayor SEUSSICAL JR. PRESIDENT S AWARD Grace Evans Best Ensemble Bird Girls Jenny Zins, Evelyn Storms, Carlyn Johannigman, Andi Jones, Annie Negovetich, Kenlee Martin (not shown) Best Bird Girl Jenny Zins Also shown (center) Shelby Drew as Mayzie BEST SHOW of the SEASON 8
Become a Member Are you a Tree County Players member? Each year TCP invites current and new members to officially join our group by paying annual dues. Membership chairperson, Jacob Crosley is organizing the membership drive materials. He has made several improvements to the process, including giving members the option of joining/renewing on line and making your donation via credit card. When you join TCP you become a member of a group that has entertained roughly 40,000 patrons over that last 44 years, and has been an outlet for thousands of community members to share their creativity and talent, either onstage or backstage. Affordable, highquality, local theater has been our goal. In addition, TCP supports local school drama programs and other non-profit groups through costume, prop, and sets loans. Many members also participate as drama coaches and advisors for local schools. Tree County Players is a federally recognized (501(c)-3) charity. Donations are tax deductible and the funds are used locally. As an allvolunteer group, you can be certain that your donation will be used for organization support. While most of our theatrical productions are self-funded through ticket revenues, we depend upon our members/benefactors for operating costs (insurance, building maintenance, utilities, etc.). Members may select from several membership levels. We are especially grateful to those members who participate as Benefactors (membership gifts above the basic level). All members receive a 20% discount on adult tickets, 10% discount on the Summer Theatre Camp, early newsletter delivery (1-2 weeks prior to website posting), and special notices sent before general public release. Members who donate above the basic level also receive show passes and are listed in all performance programs. Watch for your membership invitation and become a part of local live theater. If you do not receive an invitation, you may contact Jacob Crosley at (765)-748-8904 or complete the form in this newsletter (see page 12). The TCP board and membership thank you for your generosity! Youth Theater Troupe on the Road Six teens from this summer s Youth Theatre Camp will be performing Monday, Nov. 14 at Greensburg Public Library s evening story time. The fractured fairy tale skit E-I-E-I-Oh-No is the story of 5 older animals belonging to Farmer MacDonald, another character in the skit. Caleb Bowles plays Farmer MacDonald, Jessica Williams the Horse, Kayla Kelso the Pig, Brain Glaub the Rooster, Kate Acra the Hen, and Lydia Acra the Cow. 9
Support Local Youth Theater Oldenburg Academy Oct. 21 & 22, 2016-7 pm $5-students, $7-adults Tickets call 812-934-4440 or sold at the door on show nights Greensburg High School Oct. 27 & 28, 2016-7 pm Oct 29, 2016 6 pm $5 tickets sold at the door on show nights South Decatur High School November 3,4 & 5 7 pm $8-adults, $5-students, under 6-free Call 812-591-3330 for tickets or buy at the door on show nights Greensburg Junior High School Nov. 11 & 12, 201 Call school for more information 812-663-4774 North Decatur High School Nov. 11 & 12, 2016 7 pm $8 adults, $6-students Call 812-663-4204 for tickets 10
MEET THE BOARD TEEN MEMBERS Garrett Bates is a student board member. He is a sophomore at South Decatur Jr-Sr High. He has been involved with Tree County Players since he was in 5th grade, when he was in Annie Jr. He also performed on stage in Alice in Wonderland. Since then, he has been involved with creating sets and helping with sound and lights. Garrett also runs the sound system for South Decatur productions. His parents are Tammy and Allen Bates and his brother Justin is a frequent performer on the TCP stage. Garrett likes being a part of the TCP board because he likes knowing what will happen in the future. Welcome Garrett! Kelsey Moorman is a senior at North Decatur High School where she is involved in many clubs, including as president of the Student Council. She loves to sing, act and dance. Kelsey is a four-year member of the North Decatur Singers, has been in nine North Decatur drama club shows, and has been dancing with Dixon Dance Studio for twelve years. She was introduced to theater at a young age. She cannot imagine life without acting. Her favorite musical is Wicked and her dream is to go see Hamilton. In addition to these, she likes to read, travel (she has been to 40 states and Canada) and go to the zoo. Her family consists of her mom - Beth, dad - Tom, brother - Eric, dog - Rosie, and three cats (Checkers, Bella, and Shadow). Kelsey plans to go to college and major in Spanish Education. 11
Membership Form Fiscal Year August 1, 2016 through July 31, 2017 Name: Address: City: Phone: State: Email: Zip: Please select your membership level. All membership is tax deductible. Value of show passes is not tax deductible ($12 value per pass) If you wish to make your membership fully tax deductible (no show passes awarded), please check here Please make checks payable to: Responses should be sent to: Tree County Players Tree County Players PO Box 423 Greensburg, IN 47240 Membership Level Show Passes Individual membership renewal $ 10 no show passes Family membership renewal $ 20 no show passes Benefactor Membership Level Fan $ 50 2 show passes Rising Star $ 100 3 show passes Star $ 250 4 show passes Award Winner $ 500 8 show passes Director's Club $ 750 12 show passes Patron of the Arts $ 1,000 16 show passes Financier of the Arts $ 1,500 30 show passes Sustainer of the Arts $ 2,000 35 show passes Other (please fill in amount) number of passes TBD In kind donation (please describe) Benefactor name as you wish it to appear in the playbill Comments: Membership and Benefactor Benefits All members and benefactors receive the following benefits: * 20 % discount on all adult performance tickets (limited to 10 discount tickets per membership per show) * 10 % discount on all other programs/camps * The TCP quarterly newsletter * Voting membership (cast your vote in TCP business matters - must be present at meetings to cast vote) * An open invitation to all cast parties * First chance to purchase tickets to TCP events before tickets go on sale to the public Additional benefits to benefactors at the $50 or above level: *Show passes (see above for number of passes). May be used at any current season show. *Name listed as a TCP supporter in all event playbills Additional benefits to benefactors at the $100 or above level: *Preferred reserved seating (please call to request reserved seats for each event) * Business link to your web site from TCP's web site Additional benefits to benefactors at the $500 or above level: *Free private refreshments (venue permitting) Additional benefits to benefactors at the $1,500 or above level: *Special mention as a TCP supporter in all pre-show announcements and TCP publicity tcpgreensburg.com Unless you tell us otherwise, our communications with you will be by e-mail. 12