Greetings, Gaslight Gang:
It seems like it’s been a loooooooong winter! Daylight Saving Time begins on March 8th and the first day of Spring is March 20th. We are almost there!
I hope to keep all of you in the loop with regular news about Gaslight. Please feel free to pass on this information to anyone who may be interested. If you would like to have your name removed from this list, just let me know.
Town of Collingwood Grant Application Update:
I have some exciting news to share. I received an email from Tanya Mazza (Town of Collingwood) letting us know that Gaslight Community Theatre Productions was successful in our bid for a $1,500 grant. We intend to put the grant money toward our Social Media Outreach Project. Our plan is to update and modernize our social media communication in order to attract a wider number of participants, particularly youth. Stay tuned for some exciting changes.
If you are on Facebook and you haven’t LIKED our Gaslight Community Theatre Page – do it now. And – while you are there – invite a few of your friends and family members to LIKE it as well. After our initial surge from 347 (in January) to 457…we have stalled to a halt at 463. Surely, we can get our FB Page numbers over 500!??
Page to Stage with Dan Needles
Dan and eleven writers have been meeting at the Collingwood Library and working hard to create ten-minute scenes for the stage. The final Page to Stage session will be held on Thursday, March 12th. On this evening, all completed scenes will be read aloud and four of the best scenes will be chosen to be performed at an event called Four Scenes and a Cup of Tea. The performance will take place at The Simcoe Street Theatre (65 Simcoe Street in Collingwood) on April 5th at 1:00. The four scenes will be performed by volunteer actors. If you
are interested in trying your hand at acting in an informal setting, this is a perfect opportunity. Anne Raciunas will be directing the scenes again this year.
The lines are “lightly rehearsed” and you will perform with script-in-hand.
Auditions and First Read–Through – Sat. March 14th 10:00 to 1:00
Rehearsals: Sat. March 21st from 10:00 to 12:00
Sat. March 28th from 10:00 to 12:00
Sat. April 4th from 10:00 to 12:00
Sun. April 5th from 10:00 to 12:00
Performance: Sunday, April 5th from 1:00 to 3:00
All of the above takes place at the Simcoe Street Theatre.
If you are curious about the Page to Stage program and would like to see the performance – tickets are for sale – but there are only 100 available and they go fast. Come out and support your fellow Gaslight writers and actors.
What’s next? Our Gaslight Playwriting Sessions:
Caroline Smith will be returning this year to lead the Gaslight Playwriting Sessions. If you would like to work with an award-winning published playwright and write a twenty-minute play based on this year’s theme (Unsolved Mysteries), this is your chance. The workshops will be held on Saturdays at the Collingwood Library. The dates will be April 18th and May 23rd (from 10:00 to 1:00), June 27th from 10:00 to 2:00. Final play submissions are due to Caroline by July 24th. The winning plays will be announced on July 25th. Caroline would love to work with a full group (12 writers) and to encourage more new faces this year. She is very impressed with the many “returning writers” and their learning curves over the years but she feels that “fresh faces” will add a creative spark. If you have questions about the content of the workshops, contact carolinesmith@sympatico.ca. If you would like to register for the Gaslight Playwriting Sessions contact janschennach@gmail.com. The cost is only $125.00.
STILL WANTED!
**** Someone that has some videography experience who would be able to help to make some short films/slideshows etc. We are hoping to incorporate more video into our social media outreach. We would also like to create some video footage to document the plays for each year. Another idea that has been suggested is a “THE MAKING OF THE GASLIGHT TOUR” documentary-type video. This video could explain what we do and who we are and would be very helpful when we are promoting and marketing to prospective sponsors/supporters/audience members etc. Ideally, we could involve some local youth in helping with the production of these videos.
**** Someone that is willing to take on the role of maintaining our current Sponsor list and recruiting new Sponsors. Ideally, this would be someone who has a good knowledge of (and passion for) Gaslight Community Theatre. We will meet with you to explain the Fundraising protocol and guide you through this process.
**** Someone who is willing to offer (or knows of someone) that could offer us some storage space for our set-pieces/props. Preferred location would be in the Collingwood area but we could look at something a little further afield if the location was suitable. Space should be small to medium-sized, lighted, clean, dry and easily accessible to vehicles for loading/unloading. Because we are a not-for-profit, the loan of space would be greatly appreciated but we could consider a small rental cost depending on the amount.
If you (or someone you know) is interested in any of the above, please send me an email. I’m excited to hear from you. Spread the word about Gaslight. We always welcome new people and new talent to join our fantastic and hard-working crew. Thanks to the folks that have reached out to me with offers of help/talent/and resources.
Laurie May – Executive Producer
Gaslight Community Theatre Productions
519-939-0370