This past Friday, MCT opened the eighth production in our 2010 membership season - DOUBT - in Mabee Theatre II. For several years, our Play Selection committee has been considering this drama for our season, and we were very pleased to finally add it in 2010. Director Pam Keel and her strong cast have done an outstanding job with this show - I had the chance to watch a dress rehearsal last week and it's a great production. In addition, Scenic Designer Brian Baillif and Costume Designer Micheal Waid have done a great job complimenting the actors and the director with their work. This drama is only 90 minutes long (no intermission) and we hope that you will support our great volunteers and staff in their work on this show. Call the Box Office (432) 570-4111 or visit our website and get your tickets for the penultimate show in our 2010 membership season.

MAAS Fundraiser

The Midland-Odessa Area AIDS Support (MAAS) will be hosting a fundraiser on Thursday, October 28th at 8 p.m. at the Yucca Theatre featuring Michael Arden. Michael is a former Pickwick Player and has appeared on Broadway (The Times They Are a Changin') and the West End (Aspects of Love) and will be presenting a one man show "The Heart of the Matter" with his musical director and a bass and drums. The cost of bringing Michael to Midland has been underwritten by a local sponsor, so all proceeds of this event benefit MAAS. Please join us at the Yucca on October 28th - tickets are available at the MCT Box Office or Iron Press Cleaners or First Presbyterian Church or at the door that night.

Region X AACT Festival - Germany

From October 6-11, I was in Germany adjudicating the Region X AACT festival. For those who have no clue what I'm talking about - AACT is the Amerian Association of Community Theatre and they are in the midst of state and regional festivals to select the 12 shows that will perform in Rochester NY in June 2011 at the national AACTFest. Region X consists of all of the community theatres located on military bases in Europe - so, these are American citizens either serving in Europe or family members of these soldiers. During my trip, I adjudicated 13 one-act plays over 30 hours by providing feedback to each group after the performance and - in cooperation with the other two judges - selecting the top three productions along with the top 3 for acting, directing and technical awards. In addition, I had the opportunity to teach a 90 minute workshop on Performance Improvisation - using many of the games that we play at Improv at the Yucca, adjudicate the seven finalist monologues from the workshop and and see the outstanding Brazilian production again that had performed this summer at the AACT International festival in Venice, FL. Although it was a fairly quick trip, we still had some time to eat good food, drink German beer and appreciate the wonderful talents of these dedicated volunteers in Region X. It will take me several days to catch up on my sleep, but it was worth it.

The winning production was HAUPTMANN, performed by SHAPE - they will be representing Region X in Rochester.

Many thanks to Jim Sohre for inviting me to adjudicate, and many thanks to Benny Sato Ambush and Tracy Friendman, the other two adjudicators. It was also great to work with Kathleen Maldonado and Kristi Quinn - representing AACT - as well as Morrie Enders (ED of the Lincoln Community Theatre) who taught the monologue workshop.