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In the Spotlight:
3 Questions with...
Alexa Jones
Cleveland
Now a student at Cleveland State University, Alexa joined Near West in the summer of 2010 as a participant in weekday technical work sessions and as a backstage assistant to costume designer Judith ("Mama") Meyer for the youth production of Rent. She's been onstage, too, having just performed in the ensemble of Ragtime.Click here to view a complete interview with Alexa.
1. What are some of the things you learned in the tech sessions?
I would come in every day and we would paint and build the set. Before Near West I didn't know how to use a saw or drill or anything like that and now I consider myself a pro. I worked in the scene shop at my high school and in college, so it's something that's been helping through my whole life so far.
2. What's costume work like?
It was cool getting to know the cast and getting to know what went into building the costumes and the actual look of the show -- pulling costumes, fitting people and getting everybody ready.
3.How would you describe the energy at NWT?
Near West is such an amazing place. Everyone is so close and comfortable with each other and it's just a sense of being connected and just one with everybody. For me it was like walking into a big hug full of people and warm smiles.
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REMAINING IN
SEASON 2011-2012
July 20-August 5, 2012
Kids Loud and Musical Organic Revue (KLAMOR)
July 26-29, 2012
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 A special message from Stephanie
 As we enter our 35th consecutive summer of building relationships and community through theater, I need to communicate the "dynamics of duality" of the time we are moving through and how you can participate in both the celebration and sustenance that are called for in this moment.
For celebration, we want you to join us at the Near West Theatre Stage this Saturday, June 9, during Discover Gordon Square Arts District Day. Immerse yourself in the power of voices and songs from our recent shows as well as DJ dance music, and, in the evening, an "open mic" coffee house. More details are in the story in this newsletter, or click here for the NWT Stage schedule.
For sustenance, I ask that you seriously consider giving support to our effort to raise another $50,000 by June 30 so we will end our fiscal year with a balanced budget. We launched our spring appeal for $75,000 in May, and one-third of the goal has been met. If you have already contributed, thank you! If not, we encourage gifts of any size. No gift is too small. Simply return the form you received in the mail, or click here to donate online.
We are thrilled during this time of duality that our energy, creativity and sense of community are at their highest point since I started this theater in 1978. The stories in this newsletter bear that out. We have new participants of all ages and many races from Cleveland's Near West Side and surrounding communities. Hairspray auditions in May attracted 102 young people. Audience members who saw Ragtime are still talking about it. Our summer children's program is back for the first time in years. Because of recent lead gifts, we have less than $1.7 million left to raise in our $6.8 million campaign to build a new theater in the Gordon Square Arts District.
I hope you will join in the dance that will lead us to the future. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Morrison-Hrbek
Founder and Executive Director
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Cast of 48 announced for
It's about big hairdos, a TV dance show, teen crushes, parent-teen relationships - and racism. It takes place 50 years ago, in 1962. Do today's young people care? Apparently so. Auditions for Hairspray, the Broadway Musical drew 102 of them, ages 13 to 21. Near West Theatre has cast 48 of them in this singing, dancing social commentary. Click here to see who's in the show. Principal roles not yet cast will be decided on before or during the early weeks of rehearsals, which begin June 10. Hairspray runs for eight performances, July 20 through Aug. 5, in the St. Patrick's Club Building, 3606 Bridge Ave., Cleveland. Tickets and show information are available online or by phoning the ticket line in our business office, 216-961-6391, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays. It's our 35th consecutive summer youth production. Don't miss it!
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Our June 9 outdoor stage lineup
A big tent, burgers and hot dogs, recent show excerpts, solo performances by NWT actors and alumni, "cornhole" bag toss - plus you at the open mic in the evening? What's not to like about Near West Theatre's outdoor stage this Saturday, June 9, the Discover Gordon Square Arts District Day festival? You can come and go for minutes or hours at a time, but do at least stop by at the tent on the future site of our new theater, near the intersection of West 67th Street and Detroit Avenue. Afternoon performances, under the musical direction of Jordan Cooper, run in segments of about 20 minutes starting nearly every hour and half-hour from 2 to 6 p.m. The open-mic coffee house, featuring Bob Navis Jr. at the keyboard, runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Click here for the complete NWT Stage schedule. It's our third year performing at this fun Gordon Square street festival, which also offers free trolley service to and from University Circle's "Parade the Circle" festivities. Come join the fun. It's free - though your contributions of any size (see Stephanie's message above) will be most welcome. Look for the donation can at the hot dog table. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@NearWestTheatre) all day and share your own pictures and updates.
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Kids of summer are back
For years, Near West Theatre ran a summer program for grade school and middle school kids. We stopped, due to space limitations, in 2003. Now it's back in a different locale! After successful smaller winter versions in 2010 and 2011, "Kids Loud and Musical Organic Revue (KLAMOR)" starts as a summer weekday program June 18. Twenty-five lively and engaging 9- to 13-year-olds who auditioned in May will meet Monday through Thursday mornings for six weeks to build community and self-confidence through teamwork and group learning. Exploring the theme "Angels and Demons," they'll share their work in public performances at the end of July.
"We'll work with them on movement, improvisation, stage combat, creative writing, music, scenic work and acting - fun lessons that will teach them various forms of theater and art while strengthening their creative minds," says Program Director Kelcie Dugger, herself a veteran of NWT programming since age 12. " 'Angels and Demons' will be largely written by the kids involved. Their stories, thoughts, ideas and spirit will inspire the show and its themes of right and wrong, good versus evil, and overcoming personal battles. Our team is eager to explore the fun to be had with the theme: Sword fights? Problem dragons? Who knows? But we're mostly elated to get to know the cast and create with them something that is all our own."
Confirmed teachers and staff include Gwen Stembridge, movement; Jordan Cooper, music; Laura Carlson Tarantowski, scenic arts; Molly Andrews-Hinders, stage combat; Twan Kula, improvisation; Josh Andrews, stage manager; Leland Pestak, assistant stage manager; and Kelcie herself, who will teach acting and direct the resulting production as it develops. Performances will be at West Side United Church of Christ, 3800 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, on Thursday, July 26, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, July 28, at 3 p.m.; and Sunday, July 29, at 3 p.m. Tickets are available online or by phoning our business-office ticket line, 216-961-6391, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.
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August audition alert
We can't quite announce the shows for our 2012-2013 season (we will soon!), but please mark your calendar anyway: auditions for our 2012 fall musical will be in August, not September. Actors ages 7 through adult are invited to audition Tuesday, Aug. 21, Wednesday, Aug. 22, or Thursday, Aug. 23, in our regular performance space at the St. Patrick's Club Building, 3606 Bridge Avenue, Cleveland. Audition times are 6 to 7:30 p.m. for ages 7 to 12, and 8 to 10:30 p.m. for ages 13 and up. Pick one date, arrive 15 minutes early to register, and plan to stay for the entire time specified for your age group.
We've picked a season of shows, but we have to nail down the legal arrangements before we can go public. Watch our website, blog or Facebook page for the announcement sometime this month. Also watch your mailbox this summer for the official season brochure, listing the plays and many ways everyone can "plug in" at Near West Theatre.
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Remembering Ragtime
The out-loud reactions of audiences are among many things to remember about Near West Theatre's nine May performances of Ragtime. Patrons didn't just clap after musical numbers; they cheered. Quiet "ohs" arose regularly in response to dramatic scenes. There were many laughs, big ones, every night, and constant after-show and intermission comments on the sheer beauty of set, scenic design, costumes and lighting. Three of the nine performances were sold out and several more were near capacity - great for a teen-and-adult show with 227 seats available, our largest house in a long time and our first with a proscenium stage after two years with less seating "in the round." Actors, crew and staff bonded in an extraordinary way, even for Near West Theatre. They're still chatting on a special Facebook page and planning summer outings together. A salute to you, all, on the deck of that ship. Ragtime won't soon be forgotten. Journey on. (Photos by Terry Schordock)
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The cast performs the finale.
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The cast performs "The Night that Goldman Spoke at Union Square"
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Summer tech workshop needs you!
Want to learn theater tech skills, help create the set for our summer show and get in on the fun of being on a Near West Theatre "crew"? If so, our free Summer Technical Theater Workshop for ages 13 to 21 are for you! Applications are being accepted through this Friday, June 8. Call 216-961-9750 or send an e-mail to info@nearwesttheatre.org . (13-year-olds must be of high school age.)
You'll learn the basic principles and skills of set and prop construction, scenic painting and lighting, including the safe operation of various hand and power tools. You'll help build the Hairspray set and join the production crew of that and/or other Near West Theatre shows in the coming year.
Sessions are June 11 through July 18 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A clear commitment is required from the start, but if you need flexibility within that range of hours and dates we can work with you in advance to make it work. What's the program like? See the interview and video with past tech participant Alexa Jones in the "Spotlight" feature at left. Or call or e-mail us to talk it over. We hope to see you soon!
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Farewell, Terri Gelzer
 | | The late Terri Gelzer (front) with sisters Jodi (left) and Randi. |
Longtime Near West Theatre participant, parent and supporter Terri (Maile) Gelzer died May 30 in the arms of her husband, David, after a long and valiant struggle with cancer. She was 59. Terri appeared in many NWT casts, dating back to our first adult production, Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon, in 1983. She designed costumes for a number of productions and was part of a family that has made many contributions on and off stage over the years. They include her late mother, Jeanne Maile, her mother-in-law, Lois Gelzer, her sisters, Randi Allard and Jodi Kirk, her sons, Ben and Zach Gelzer, her brother-in-law, Ed Allard, and her nieces and nephews, Sam, Elizabeth, Hannah and Matt Allard. A memorial service will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at St. Paul's Community Church, United Church of Christ, 4427 Franklin Blvd., Cleveland. An obituary and online guest book can be found at this link at Cleveland.com.
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THE CREATIVE EDGE
LIFE AS A PERFORMING ART
Here are the thoughts of some of the theater world's most honored and respected actors, directors, designers, choreographers, composers and writers. My hope is that this feature will offer inspiration to all the NWT family for living each day with radical expectation, eternal zest and joyous satisfaction. - Bob Navis Jr, Artistic Director
Hello NWT family! This month I'd like to share a video clip of voice and acting coach Patsy Rodenburg, in which she speaks of the power of actors to heal and transform. I offer this in dedication to the cast of Ragtime. My experience with these wonderful actors continues to expand and define who I am and remind me why I do theatre. The clip is shared from the TED.com website, which offers "Riveting talks by remarkable people, free to the world." TED is a non-profit devoted to ideas worth spreading. Click here to see and hear Patsy's talk entitled, "Why I do theatre."
Enjoy! Bob Navis Jr.
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