THIS WEEK WITH MCP ...
NEXT ON STAGE ...
Join us for our 50th Anniversary Summer Musical, Above the Sand ! July 21st, 22nd, 27th, 28th, and 29th at 8:00 PM and July 23rd at 2:00 PM in the Mason Community Playhouse.
Get your tickets
HERE
!
IN THE NEAR FUTURE ...
ATS Dress Rehearsal
July 17th, 18th, 19th at 6:45pm
Tech Committee Meeting
July 18th at 7pm
Performance Committee Meeting
July 19th at 7pm
Trivia Team
July 20th - 7pm
Above the Sand Opening Night!
July 21st - 8pm
Above the Sand Performance
July 22 - 8pm
July 23rd - 2pm
Save the Date
to CELEBRATE
in 2023!
Warren County's Oldest Continuously Operating
Community Theatre...
One Year on Mason Road,
50 Years in Mason
As is our tradition, McPost will highlight cast members. This time from our summer musical, Above the Sand.
The final three members of the cast are being highlighted in this issue.
These three fabulous ladies who are a part of the ensembles featured in the show are MCP veterans.
Kelley Flaugher first appeared with us in 2004’s 42nd Street as Peggy Sawyer. A busy mom, she was not able to appear on stage very often. She returned to us to appear as one of the Wander Sisters in Sentimental Journey: A Salute to the USO, and then took the stage again in 2019’s Mamma Mia! as a part of the ensemble and a back-up singer. Most recently, she took on the role of Sr. Mary Amnesia in last year’s Nunsense, an appearance which garnered her an Orchid Award; and with her puppet counterpart, Sr. Mary Annette, an OCTA Award for Excellence in Duet from the show’s regional excerpt.
Julie Poux traces her beginning with MCP to the year 2008. Her first contribution was as a member of stage crew for Scrooge, the Musical. This multi-skilled member has also been a lighting technician, fly master, photographer, box office manager, dresser, graphic designer, publicity guru, master carpenter, stage manager, technical director, and producer.
Her stage credits include Copacabana (Gladys Murray), Once Upon a Mattress (Queen Aggravain), A Few Good Men (LCDR Joanne Galloway), Seussical, the Musical (Kangaroo), The Women (Sylvia Fowler), Damn Yankees (Gloria Thorpe), Shrek, the Musical (Mama Bear), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Renee), Love Lost Revue (Featured Vocalist), Sentimental Journey (Featured Vocalist), Mamma Mia! (Tanya), All Together Now (Featured Vocalist), and Nunsense (Reverend Mother Mary Regina - an Orchid Award and OCTA Award-winning performance for Excellence in Acting).
But her contributions do not stop there as she is always at fundraisers, sits on the 50th Anniversary Committee and Co-Chairs the Communication Committee, works on the renovation of the Playhouse, served on the Board of Directors for six years (one as Secretary and three as President), and is the 2018 Grace Campbell Award recipient.
Becca McLaughlin has show credits for 95 productions (that’s just the productions she has been associated with and not the number of credits, because Becca has done two to three things for many shows). We won’t name them all here. She has done all that theatre can ask of someone from sweeping and vacuuming to directing and producing. She is a mainstay of fundraising. She has sat on many committees and is currently a member of 50th Anniversary and Membership. She has served as President of the Board of Directors and been a member of that body for many years. She was a member of Traveling Troupe during its entire existence. She has spent countless hours on the renovation of the Playhouse.
A ten-time producer and eight-time director, she has appeared on MCP stages in 21 productions. Her first performance was as Kate Keller in The Miracle Worker in 1979. She was Fruma Sarah in the 1984 production of Fiddler on the Roof, Bloody Mary in South Pacific, and Abby Brewster in 2012's Arsenic & Old Lace. She was the highly-acclaimed director of the popular Three Murders, Murder’s Bad, Pride & Prejudice, and Enchanted April. She is the 2000 recipient of the Grace Campbell Award and the 2018 recipient of ACT’s Roger Grooms Award for her dedication to mentoring and teaching the skills of theatre to others.
MCP is blessed to have these three talented and dedicated members as a part of Above the Sand.
They are assets to every show!
For the list of the entire cast and their roles, visit our web site for all the details HERE. Above the Sand will be performed July 21, 22, 27, 28, and 29 at 8:00 PM and July 23 at 2:00 PM in the Mason Community Playhouse. Tickets are available ... use the link in the NEXT ON STAGE section.
In the Spirit of Human Endeavor!
Director/Producer Peyton Hahn and Musical Director Jon Scheiding are excited to announce auditions for the fifth, and final, annual Gender Bender Revue! This year’s Gender Bender 5.0 will cap off Mason Community Players' 50th season, paying homage to MCP’s history with the non-traditional Gender Bender twist!
Auditioners should prepare 1-2 minutes of a musical theatre song that showcases their abilities. Auditioners do not need to audition with a gender-bent song, just sing whatever best displays your vocal style and range.
Those interested in being a part of the cast are encouraged to submit their auditions digitally by e-mailing their video audition (preferably via a YouTube link). Click here to send an e-mail. Also, please complete the sign-up form. You can access the form by clicking here. Digital auditions are due by 11:59pm on July 21st. All submissions will receive a confirmation email with 48 hours.
For those who prefer to audition in person, auditions will be held on July 22nd from 2-5pm at the Playhouse, 5529 Mason Road. Please sign up for an audition spot by clicking here. Walk-ins are welcome, but signing up ahead is encouraged.
Gender Bender 5.0 performances are October 27th–29th and November 3rd–4th. The production team will do their best to be flexible with rehearsal times to accommodate as many performers as possible, however conflicts during tech week (after October 21st) are discouraged.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY...
Please keep in thought and prayer Gail Rose, who is experiencing some health issues. And, p
lease keep praying for
Carol Wright, in her continuing health struggles.
If you know someone hurting, who could use good thoughts or prayers, please let the McPost Staff know and we will share it here.
SEND GOOD THOUGHTS...
TICKETS ON SALE ...
Tickets for all of the remaining shows of the 50th Season are on sale now!
PlayBook 2023
This year's remaining titles and dates are:
July 26:
The Jungle Book
by Rudyard Kipling
No August Gathering
September 27:
The Once and Future King
by T.H. White
October 25:
Cheaper by the Dozen
by Frank Gilbreth
Nov/ Dec TBD:
A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens
January 24, 2024:
Gypsy, A Memoir
by Gypsy Rose Lee
Some projects that were a part of the plans for the Playhouse were always being put on hold to take care of something more pressing that came up. One of those projects was the creation of a Make-Up Room. Previously, the room was carpeted, trim was installed, and mirrors were installed. Due to the dedication and generosity of Eric Grimm and Tim and Linda Geering there were cabinets, shelves, tables, and proper-sized chairs brought in. The installation of a permanent counter had to take a back seat to tons of things, but now it has been properly installed thanks to Phil Catlin.
The Renovation Committee will continue to address improvements to the space throughout this year and beyond. The completion of the second-floor Multi-Purpose Room is getting a great deal of attention at this time. There will be some adjustments to the layout of the Scene Shop. Paint Team will address inventory once again, as soon as other projects are completed.
Help at any time is always welcome. There does not seem to be a need at this time to ask for Reno Days for large groups to come and help, but look for those in the future. And if you are willing and able to share skills that would benefit renovation, please reach out and offer your help - click here to e-mail!
Do you have a trailer that can transport a riding mower? Our "transporter" is unable to do so for the remainder of the season.
We have a willing member in the person of Tim Geering, who has been mowing every other week, if his riding mower can be transported to the theatre. That's what has been happening to date. The need would continue from now until September.
If you can help out with this task, please contact Tim Geering via e-mail by clicking here.
For our fall show, Escanaba in da Moonlight, we need to create a set that looks like a hunting "cabin" in the woods. This structure would be about 50 years old at the time of the story, and so, the wood would not be purchased at the hardware store yesterday. We would like to get some distressed wood and there is nothing more distressed than old pallets. Producers Laureen Catlin and Mary Stan Fizer are looking to collect 20-25 old pallets. Do you know of someone who uses pallets? Business? Residence? Farm?
If you do, would you ask if they would be willing to donate those that are at end life? Don't assume that they will, please ask. If you confirm the resource, please contact Laureen via e-mail (Click Here). Everyone can then work together to gather the pallets throughout the month of July. Thank you for your help!
MCP's 50 for 50 Campaign Needs Your Support!
It cannot be successful without every member helping to promote it. The campaign's goal is to raise $50,000 by December 31st of this year.
You can donate now!
Just click here!
Or make out a check to Mason Community Players for the amount you would like to donate. Be sure to write "50 for 50" on the memo line. You can hand the check to Treasurer Susan Berger or mail it to P.O. Box 300, Mason, OH 45040.
This is not just a fundraiser designed to solicit donations from members. Ask your family and friends to donate. Ask a local business. Remember that we are a 501c3 corporation and the gifts are tax deductible.
This is the YEAR to make the goal! Let's do this!
Don't Miss These MCP Members Appearing in Area Shows:
Gunnar Shoemake of The Last Five Years cast is appearing at La Comedia Dinner Theatre as Prince Christopher in Rodger & Hammerstein's Cinderella now through August 6th.
Tickets are available here!
Are you an MCP member who is participating in a show with another theatre group? Let us know the details by sending an e-mail to this address and we will publish the information here in the newsletter.
Be sure that you place Saturday, August 12th through Sunday, August 20th, on your calendar. That's the Western and Southern Open Event, when we will be directing parking in the North Lot!
It is an All-Hands-on- Deck-
for-Eight-Days fundraiser! We need every member who is physically able to step up! Sign-ups begin July 10th. Click here to sign-up!
Our group's passcode is mcp. It is not case sensitive. There are videos that must be viewed before you can sign-up, so leave some time to do so. You can watch those and then return to choose your slots.
We know that it is month's away, but it is SO important. It's the 50th Anniversary Gala. Please make sure to mark the evening of September 23, 2023, on your calendar. September 23, 1973 was Opening Night of our first show and we intend to celebrate us 50 years later to the day!
Lebanon, Mason, Monroe Railroad has scheduled a date for Family and Friends Night on the train. Come see the cast of Conducting Murder, written by Missy Gary and directed by Dana Davis, on Wednesday, July 12th at 7:30pm. The cost is only $5 a person. The proceeds will benefit MCP. The station is located at 16 E South Street in Lebanon. The cast will perform the show in its entirety, but the train is not slated to leave the station. LM&M incurs quite the cost to fire up that engine and take it back and forth down the line.
Instead of rolling down the track, our friends at LM&M allow MCP members and family members and friends of the cast and staff to see the show on the train as it sits at the station. Come support Larry, Catlin, Trish Courtney, Alisha Flaherty, CG Gray, McKenzie Kugler, Monika Rudolph, and Gaylene May Schumacher. See who gets murdered and who does the murdering. Will you figure it out before the detective spills the beans?
The Board of Directors met at the Playhouse on Wednesday, July 5th at 6:00pm. 11 out of 11 members were present.
Both the minutes from the June meeting and the Treasurer's Report for June were accepted with no changes.
The Finance Committee met, no requests were made of the Board from this committee.
The 50th Anniversary Committee did not meet. They were prepping for the 50th Karaoke Night at the Playhouse on Saturday Night. They are planning on meeting immediately following the closing of ATS.
Membership met and recapped the previous months events, Picnic and Quarterly Birthday Celebration. They discussed and finalized plans for the Summer Musical callback night. The team will be meeting at the end of July and start laying the groundwork for this year’s banquet.
The Liaison Committee did not meet.
The Performance Committee did not meet.
The Play Reading Committee did not meet.
The Communications Committee met and reviewed final steps for ATS publicity. The team started making plans for publicity for Escanaba in da Moonlight.
Facilities did not meet. However, a motion was made for the approval of up to $2,500, pending the confirmed size and condition, of a used John Deere riding lawn mower. Motion was approved. A discussion was had on the need for a team who would be available and willing to clean the theatre prior to shows/rentals.
Tech Committee did not meet.
The Renovation Committee met; no requests were made of the Board from this committee. See the article in the purple section of today’s newsletter for some of the recent improvements and other projects that are in the works in the Playhouse.
There was old business that was discussed. A potential loan from a local back is being reviewed however there are a few follow-up questions that need answered, and the topic will be reviewed again at the August board meeting.
There was no new business during the July meeting.
The meeting came to a close at 7:09pm.
MCP will begin its next 50 years in 2024 with:
Proof, directed by Jim Cronin, presented February 24-March 2
Timeless, A Musical Revue, directed by Kim Toft, presented April 12-20
God's Favorite, directed by Lara Gonzalez, presented June 21-29
Schoolhouse Rock Live!, directed by Laureen Catlin, presented September 6-14
The Mousetrap, directed by Susan Berger, presented November 15-23
Expressing Gratitude...
Thank You ...
... To Everyone who made it possible to fulfill our fundraising commitment to Red, Rhythm, and Boom.
To the Early Birds ... those folks who came at the very beginning and gave us as many hours as they could so that we could fill positions... Susan Berger, Mary Stan Fizer, McKenzie Kugler, Matt Lisa, Becca McLaughlin, Ilana Milberg, Julie Poux, Gail Rudolph,
and Gaylene May Schumacher. Many of these folks then went on to MCP train rehearsals, or to another responsibility at home or for work.
To those who came as soon as they could free themselves from work and stayed to the bitter end ... Phil Catlin, Tess Catlin, Peyton Hahn, Paula Johansen, Ray Lebowski, and Mo Rettig.
Doing this event after a day of work made for one very long day.
To those who were there for the entire event ...
Laureen Catlin, Jay Fultz, Jason Gonzalez, Lara Gonzalez, Sonya Neff, Mary Taylor
and Robert Terry. Many of these folks came from other responsibilities to make for one very long day for them, as well.
Just one more expression of gratitude regarding this and other parking events ... thank you to those who have physical challenges of many kinds who find a way to be there and volunteer. The physical strain is real and your true dedication is appreciated. We see and acknowledge!
... To Laureen Catlin, Becca McLaughlin, and Gaylene May Schumacher, who did this week what Paint Team does so often - paint. The trim for the Multi-Purpose Room is ready to be installed. We can't wait for this next improvement on that room.
... To Phil Catlin,
who has been using his weekend and vacation time to take care of renovation projects in the Playhouse.
... To the Staff Members of Above the Sand,
who have been working so diligently to get the show on the boards. There has been a lot of work on all aspects of the tech over the past week!
When are you sending us your story for 50 for 50? Your story can be funny or inspiring or sweet or proud. It can be from on stage or backstage. It's YOUR story. The only restrictions are no vulgar language and don't hurt others. It is that simple. Share what you have discovered being a part of MCP. Do not make Laureen or Robert or Tess have to write the next story! Get ready, get set, write! Submit your MCP story today via this e-mail!
50 Stories for 50 Years
It's Not Always About the Show
By: Lara Gonzalez
Like many others there are many stories that I could tell about MCP. My first time on stage with MCP was during 2011's Seussical, the Musical. However, the moment that sticks out in my mind is not on stage, but in the parking lot of the ATP tennis tournament about a month later. The lot looked a lot different than it does today; the road running by the East Gate was a gravel road, and the space where all the buses are parked had trees every 10 feet or so along the road. On my first day of volunteering I went from a reluctant person waving a flag to keep cars moving to an exhilarated conductor of 3 way traffic at what we now call "point B".
I convinced my hubby to let me take his evening shift and stick around to see how the experience changed at night. That's when I met the late great Jason Holt*. Many members haven't met Jason because he passed away in 2016, but Jason Holt was a cornerstone of both MCP and the tennis parking for quite some time. I would learn later how much he knew about lights and sound, but this first summer I learned what he knew about moving cars and "how to manage difficult people".
Jason and Laureen explained how the exit flow would work, watchouts for impatient departures, what it meant to "roll the road" and set me up with a slick flashlight with orange cone over it (today's LED batons are so much better!). I assured him that I could handle unruly patrons, and he assured me that he had full confidence in my abilities, but also that he would make sure that he was there for any support needed.
I don't remember if it was my first night or the next one, but we had a doozy of an exit night. One of those days where all the matches end at the same time and everyone wants to leave immediately; no one is moving; and everyone is convinced that the car next to him hasn't been waiting nearly as long as they have.
We were spread out between the trees, trying to keep cars from exiting into the road so that we could get traffic flowing. I remember having a spirited discussion with one of the drivers, explaining why he couldn't pull out into the lane immediately - or maybe he was trying to make the dreaded left hand turn. Jason came up and asked if I was ok. I told him that I could handle things and went back to the conversation with the driver. At that point, Jason smiled his quirky smile at me and said, "Don't worry. I've got this." He walked over to the car and jumped up to sit on the hood of the car. This is a negotiation strategy that I had never seen before, and I must have stood there for a minute or so wondering what was happening ... Jason just waved at me, said something along the lines of "You're good. I've got this guy" and I wandered over to the next lane to help that lane move, because the first row wasn't going anywhere soon!
Over the years I've gotten more involved at MCP and the ATP parking. I learned a ton about both forums from Jason Holt, and it was always imparted with a smile and word of encouragement. Positive spirits like his are the things that have kept me coming back to this group to perform and volunteer year after year. And here we are in 2023 gearing up for another summer musical followed a few weeks later with another season of tennis tournament parking - woo hoo!
*Note: Jason was one of the most popular names for babies of the 70's. Don't get confused by my husband Jason Gonzalez - this story is about Jason Holt!
ED NOTE: Shown below ... Lara in her first show with MCP and on the street at ATP.
Jason as you would often see him at ATP and with that charming smile.
ACT Cincinnati's
2023-2024 Season
Has Begun
Visit their web site to stay up-to-date with all of the member theatres.
Take a look at the pics from MCP shows that are on the site!
Ohio Community Theatre Association State Conference
Labor Day Weekend
September 1, 2, 3 & 4, 2023
Do you have questions about the organizations to which MCP belongs?
Your questions are welcomed.
The members of the Liaison Committee are the MCPers most familiar with AACT, ACT and OCTA. Please feel free to reach out at any time to Gail Rudolph (committee chair), Laureen Catlin, Lara Gonzalez, Joel Lind, or Mary Taylor.
Plan to Participate in
OCTA State Conference 2023
Register Now for the Early Bird Rate!
It has been a while since the Southwest Region of OCTA, which is MCP's region, has hosted the State Conference. It is a whirlwind weekend of many aspects of theatre.
There are 16 excerpts from 8 regions that have been invited from across the state. Three of those are from our southwest region. This is another great opportunity to see a lot of theatre in just two days. It's entertaining. It gives members of theatres a chance to experience shows that might be of interest to their troupe. It is also a way to assess that a show may not be a good choice for a troupe.
There are workshops. This Conference will be offering a Master Class workshop in singing by Richard Oberacker, who composed the music for the Broadway hit, Bandstand. There will be other workshops on preparing for auditions and first rehearsal, writing plays, presenting new works, building sets, adjudicating productions, and designing set decor and props.
There is networking. With this many theatre nerds in one place (attendance had reached more than 500 in the past), there is a lot to be shared just in idle conversation. More than one producer has been able to arrange the loan or rental of a costume, set piece or prop. Many learn tricks of the trade. Everyone loves the immersion in all things theatre.
There are evening activities and late night games that are legendary. It wouldn't be a theatre event without Karaoke, so there is Karaoke. There is an annual Ball with costuming (if you choose) and dancing.
There are weekend long challenges. You can join in the weekend long "Star Search" and collect stars for participation or just because. Daily prizes are awarded for those with the most stars and there is a Grand Prize Weekend Get-a-Way.
The Early Bird Deadline for registration is August 1st. You can register for a day or two days or the whole weekend. Click here to register!
The event is being held at the Eastgate Holiday Inn. Since the Conference is close by, Southwest theatre members have the choice to book a room or travel back and forth from home to the weekend events. Though many of us live close enough to travel back and forth, booking a hotel room makes a lot of sense and helps OCTA to fulfill its room commitment. There are late night activities and parties to attend after midnight. Driving home afterwards might not be the best choice, and who wants to miss all that fun?
Consider staying one, two or three nights.
Make reservations here!
Be sure to change the dates, if you are not staying the whole weekend!
This newsletter will be sent to you each Sunday evening. It is the hope of the leadership of MCP that this will be an easy communication for you to refer to throughout that week and that you will not have as many messages from the group in your inbox over the course of the week. You can always reach out to us at any time with suggestions.
513-398-7804
newsletter@masonplayers.org
www.masonplayers.org
The Mason Community Post is edited by Laureen Catlin with support from Assistant Editor Robert Terry, Staff Writer Tess Catlin, and IT Technician Phil Catlin.