Summer Playwriting Intensive New Tuition Price

Wayside Loves Playwriting

Come see Young Playwrights' Competition winner staged reading! Free to public!

Destination Imagination Fundraiser this Monday @ The Alamo

The Destination Imagination team that raised almost $1,700 for Wayside during our emergency campaign has made it to the global competition!  In order to go, they are having a fundraiser on Monday at the Alamo.

More Details:

The Destination Imagination team will be holding a fundraiser this Monday, April 29th at the Alamo Drafthouse.   Folks can come see a 6:30PM showing of "The Croods" for reduced ticket price of $5 per person.   Additional donations, as well as proceeds from soda purchases, will go directly to the team.

We will also have a silent auction beginning at 5:30 PM.  Many local business have donated items for sale.  Finally, the kids will be showing their documentary film "Saving Wayside" before the movie at 6:15.

Young Playwrights' Competition winners announced!

We saw more submissions to the 2013 Young Playwrights' Competition than we have in five years, and the writing was truly top quality!  These young ladies worked hard, and it shows!  I hope you will join us for the staged reading performance of Death at a Bus Stop on April 30th at 7:00pm at Wayside Theatre.

Keep an eye out here for more exciting updates!

YPW Improv! class teaches unique set of skills

Improvisational theatre is among one of the hardest forms of performance--creating a performance literally from scratch and in real time is a huge challenge!

But it's also very rewarding and will teach myriad skills including problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, active listening and others.

Plus, it's just darn fun!  You will never have such a heightened sense of play!

If all of that sounds like something you want your child to be a part of, we have an Improv class lined up as part of our offerings this Spring session for the Young Performers' Workshop.  The class will be taught by Rebecca Calkin, Assistant to the Artistic Director, who participated in professional improv through Comedy Sportz for three years!

Don't miss out on this specialty offering!  Call the box office today at 540-869-1776!

 

Students participate in an improvised performance at Wayside Theatre.

YPW registration closes (and classes start) on Monday the 11th!

Spaces are still available in our Young Performers' Workshop Spring session!  There's a great selection of classes--call and register your little one today!

(Click on the images below to enlarge them)

Registration for Spring 2013 YPW is now open!

(Click on the flyer to enlarge)

Public town hall-style meeting, Feb. 20

Town Hall Meeting

at

Wayside Theatre

Wednesday, February 20^th

Light refreshments in the Curtain Call Cafe at 6:30pm

Presentation and Q&A session in the Theatre at 7:00pm

The Wayside Theatre staff cordially invites you to attend.

In the days since we announced the emergency campaign at Wayside Theatre, we’ve heard a variety of responses from community members.  Some people demanded answers—and we gave them.  Others were angry—and we listened to their frustrations and worked with them to try to find a mutual understanding. 

But some people have not come to us.  Some people, for one reason or another, aren’t inclined to be in conversation with us.  Maybe they’re afraid.  Maybe it’s more satisfying to make up answers than it is to ask for them.  Maybe people don’t know how to engage Wayside Theatre.  And that’s why we are having a public, town hall-style meeting on Wednesday, February 20^th.

We want to hear what YOU have to say: your suggestions, your ideas, your concerns, your questions, and yes, even your complaints.  We need to know how you want Wayside Theatre to move forward, so if you’d like to see changes, this is your chance to ask us to make them!

Please take this opportunity!  Come and have a dialogue with us, and invite others you know to do so as well.  We can’t have a one-sided conversation.  We need you.

Thank you, as always, for your support!

Warner Crocker, Artistic Director

Thomasin Savaiano, AEA Actress, YPW Coordinator, Administrative Assistant

Steve Przybylski, AEA Actor, Sound Designer, Music Director

Rebecca Cannon Calkin, Assistant to the Artistic Director, Graphic Designer

Kendra Watkins, Production Stage Manager

Molly MacLagan, Education Director

Wes Calkin, Lighting Designer, Scenic Designer, Web Master

Caleb Blackwell, Costume Designer

Zach Fullenkamp, Technical Director, Scenic Designer

Will Gautney, Master Carpenter

Young Playwrights' Competition submission deadline is March 1!

Young Playwrights’ Competition

At Wayside Theatre

The deadline for submitting your play to the Young Playwrights’ Competition is March 1.  If you’re high school aged (between 14 and 19 years old) and still studying at the secondary level, you can (and should!) enter the Young Playwrights’ Competition.  Home schoolers are welcome to enter!

To enter:

Step 1) Write a play!  

         This should be in play format, not like a novel or short story (there is a style guide

         in the submission guidelines, which you can find at 

         http://www.waysidetheatre.org/downloadables/YPC_2013_Guidelines.pdf).

Step 2) Make sure your play meets these requirements:

It must be original—you have to be the author, and can’t have adapted it from another source

It must be a play, not a musical

It must be one act long

It must have no more than eight characters (it may have fewer than eight characters)

Step 3) Make a title page for your play that includes:

Your name, date of birth, what grade you’re in if you go to school (and what year of schooling you’re in if don’t go to school).  Your title page should also include your school name and address (if you go to school), your teacher’s name, your home address and your home phone number and cell phone number.

Step 4) Make an informational page for your play that tells us:

The names of all the characters in the play

A description of all the characters in the play

The sex and/or gender of all the characters in the play

A short synopsis of the play (what happens in the play)

Step 5) Double-check that your play is in the right format!

You should include page numbers.  (Please don’t put your name on the pages of your play, just on the title page)

Make sure you only type on one side of the page

Your font should be 12 point font

Step 6) Check your play against the style guidelines on the Wayside Theatre website (http://www.waysidetheatre.org/downloadables/YPC_2013_Guidelines.pdf)

Step 7) Mail three copies of your play to:

Young Playwrights’ Competition

c/o Wayside Theatre

PO Box 260

Middletown, VA 22645

If you have questions or need more information, call Wayside Theatre at 540-869-1782 and ask for Molly.

Help Wayside With Your Words: Third in a series

(Before I move onto the lovely tribute below, I want to remind you to please spread the word about the Young Playwrights' Competition!  Keeping our programs full and rich is one of the ways we can keep Wayside Theatre strong!)

Many of the students who participate in Wayside Theatre’s Education in Action programming aren’t able to contribute financially to our campaign.  They asked what they could do, and the answer was this: you can help Wayside with your words.  Tell people your experience, share it with the world, and tell our community why this little theatre with a big heart deserves their support—now and in the future.  Today’s post is the third in a series, where you’ll see videos and testimonials that are in our kids’ own words (or in this case, her mother’s words). 

I hope you enjoy these—they are heartfelt, and truly thought-provoking.  If you’re wondering what the EiA programs offer, here’s your answer.

I am the mother of a very talented, passionate teenage daughter who loves the arts, theatre, music, chorus and playing her favorite instrument, the piano.  She is talented, hard-working, attentive and passionate.  She is passionate for the arts.  She loves the theatre and acting, it helps her express herself, be someone else, an escape if you will.  An escape from the drama, peer pressure, bullying, and stress at school.  

 I truly believe every child has a passion in life, and as a parent, it has always been my goal to find what my children’s passion would be and to support that in any way possible.  The very first time my daughter touched a piano key I knew that was it for her, and that was just the beginning.  Now, she is acting on stage, singing solos in school concerts to playing the piano brilliantly and thriving artistically.  Last season, she received a scholarship from Wayside Theatre to attend their Young Performers' Workshop (YPW), studying Shakespeare.  It was a blessing and gave her so much confidence, skill, and she enjoyed every class and at the end, her performance was amazing!  It was her very first performance on stage and it was amazing.

 Wayside Theatre has been instrumental in my daughter’s love of the theatre.  Her acting teacher has had a major impact on her life.  She is an amazing teacher, mentor and my daughter recognizes her as one of the most influential teachers in her life.  My daughter continues to want to enroll in the YPW Workshops every season.  In addition, my family has attended several productions at Wayside Theatre and they are just amazing.  I am amazed that we have a professional theatre right her in our community with the caliber of talent as in major cities.  I am thrilled and amazed that we have a theatre of this magnitude in our community.

 Recently, you may have heard that Wayside Theatre is having financial problems and it absolutely could mean closing their doors for good.  My family was so upset by the news; we had to try to do something to help, to let others know what is right here in our area.  What amazing talent, productions, actors, and what they do for our children who love the theatre.

I would like to share a personal story……..my daughter came to me a few days ago and said, “Mom, I just read in the newspaper that Wayside Theatre may be closing due to financial problems.  My birthday is this Saturday can I donate my birthday money to Wayside Theatre?”  My heart filled with pride, joy and love.  My daughter, who spends her birthday and holiday money from grand-parents and family on clothes, shoes and accessories, wants to donate her birthday money to Wayside Theatre.  I could not be more proud of my daughter.   I know that with all of our help, prayers and regular donations, we can keep Wayside Theatre open and thriving and entertaining for years to come.

Most families have a favorite charity they donate to annually, quarterly or monthly.  I am asking you, if you love the arts, love to see live performances and believe as much as we do that Wayside is more than a theatre--that it’s also a place where they continue to make it essential to teach our children--please consider Wayside Theatre as your place to donate to financially on a regular basis, so they do not continue to have financial problems.  Raising money to keep the doors open is one hurdle they have overcome in the very near future, however, they need continued support from the community in order to keep the theatre open and thriving.  Wayside is a professional theatre and an amazing theatre.  It would be heart breaking if they were not a part of our community.

 If you and your family love the theatre, and want to support Wayside Theatre, please lend them your support now and on a regular basis.  I know that with all of our prayers and regular donations, we can keep Wayside Theatre open and thriving and entertaining for years to come.

Help Wayside With Your Words: 2nd in a series

Many of the students who participate in Wayside Theatre’s Education in Action programming aren’t able to contribute financially to our campaign.  They asked what they could do, and the answer was this: you can help Wayside with your words.  Tell people your experience, share it with the world, and tell our community why this little theatre with a big heart deserves their support—now and in the future.  Today’s post is the second in a series, where you’ll see videos and testimonials that are in our kids’ own words (or in some cases, their parents’ words). 

I hope you enjoy these—they are heartfelt, and truly thought-provoking.  If you’re wondering what the EiA programs offer, here’s your answer.

“I have been coming to Wayside since I was seven years old. I started like many other kids with the YPWs. I remember that the first show my sister and I were both narrators in a show called Mouse Deer. I had never been so nervous and so excited until that day. After the show was over we stayed and watched the older kids show. I knew right then and there that I wanted to keep working at it. From then on I did every single YPW; every summer winter and spring until Wayside started YAG. With YAG I had never been more involved in anything. I loved doing the Shakespeare shows with [Education] In Action and the different fundraisers. when it came time to find a college to study theatre the people at Wayside were the only people to help us prepare for auditions. I currently attend Virginia Tech for a theatre and cinema degree. 

I find myself on many occasions returning to the things that the people at Wayside taught me about performing, auditioning, managing a theatre and Shakespeare. I spent more time at Wayside than I did at home and it’s the first place I visit when I get back from college. Wayside is my home. It is my favorite place in the valley. It holds my favorite memories and some of the best people I have ever met. I don't think the valley should be without Wayside theatre.

“Wayside Theatre is a home to many a kid. It educates us in community and family as well as the business and art of Theatre. Wayside is important to the youth of the valley, I have learned this first hand.”

Young Playwrights' Competition submission deadline is approaching

Young Playwrights’ Competition

(Formerly the Young Playwrights’ Festival)

If you’re reading this blog, then chances are you know about the Young Playwrights’ competition, and you know the deadline is just around the corner (March 1^st).  But please spread the word—make sure your friends, family members, teachers, and students know about it!  Our goal in 2013 is to have more entries than in any previous year!  After all, the writing you do is what makes this program great.

For more information, go to the Wayside Theatre website at http://www.waysidetheatre.org/subcontent/education/ypf.php

Also, our guidelines don’t say so anywhere (we’ll try to get that fixed), but entrants can submit as many plays as they’d like—we’ll never limit your creative output!

Happy writing!

Help Wayside With Your Words: 1st in a series

Many of the students who participate in Wayside Theatre’s Education in Action programming aren’t able to contribute financially to our campaign.  They asked what they could do, and the answer was this: you can help Wayside with your words.  Tell people your experience, share it with the world, and tell our community why this little theatre with a big heart deserves their support—now and in the future.  Today’s post is the first in a series, where you’ll see videos and testimonials that are in our kids’ own words (or in some cases, their parents’ words). 

I hope you enjoy these—they are heartfelt, and truly thought-provoking.  If you’re wondering what the EiA programs offer, here’s your answer.

“I started taking classes at Wayside when I was pretty young, and now I am a part of the Young Ambassadors Guild (YAG). I love the theatre, and all of the friends I have made there, and I don’t want to lose it. At Wayside I have been given the skills and opportunities to participate in professional theatre in the same way an adult would. I have never been given less responsibility or trust than the adults I have worked with, because it is assumed that I can and will do my part. The experience I have gained has been invaluable, but that is not the only thing the theatre has done for me. As a part of YAG, I feel like part of a family. The other kids are my friends, and we don’t have the mean competitive streak that I see in high school drama departments. That’s not to say that we aren’t competitive, because we certainly are, but we support each other."

“I have been able to experience all parts of theatre, from acting and working backstage, to running the concession stand and fundraising. Because of this, I have an understanding of the amount of work that goes into a production that is never even seen. Sets are built, costumes are made, props are lost and found, dishes are washed, hair is put up, stages are swept, lines are forgotten, lighting and sound cues are set, and all the audience ever sees is single, polished version of what took months of preparation. Maybe ticket prices cover what you see that one night, but what about everything else? The people who work here are real people. They aren’t movie stars, but this isn’t just a hobby either. They are real people, and this is their real job that they go to every day. I don’t know what I want to do when I graduate college. I’m not even sure what I want to do in college. But I love theatre, and I think it is amazing that something I do for fun could actually be a job.

"As a young child I was very shy around people I didn’t know. Even now, I am reserved in new situations. But somehow, I have never had a problem performing on stage. I have just been cast as Miranda in the Tempest and I don’t expect to have any problem fully immersing myself in the character and sharing the story with whoever comes to the performances, but I have been given bad grades on school presentations for not speaking up or making eye contact. There is something about the magic of taking on another person’s life as your own and stepping into another world that has always pushed aside any shyness I might have had. Wayside has taught me, encouraged me, and given me a place to have my voice heard.

“I would be devastated if Wayside had to close and future opportunities for young actors were lost. I know many kids my age who call the theatre their home-away-from-home, or their second family, and I feel the same way. There is a strong connection between everyone who works together at this theatre, and it deserves to be supported and protected.”

From the mouths of babes

12-year-old Audrey Nakagawa responded in spades to our request for personal stories about why Wayside Theatre deserves the ongoing support of the community!  This touching testimonial sums up beautifully and simply the impact that this organization has on the lives of the children who grow here as artists and as people.

I consider Wayside one of my homes. How would it feel if you lost your home? That's what it would feel like to me if I lost Wayside. I have many personal experiences that connect with Wayside. Starting from the beginning, I was just a small 9-year-old wanting to try something new. I was bitten by the "stage bug" and couldn't wait to do more theater! I came back to do "A Christmas Carol" after that and countless YPW's. I was blessed to do the lead role in Wayside's Christmas show, "Glory Bea! A Shenandoah Christmas", for two years in a row! With the help from Thomasin, Warner, and Steve, I've learned many valuable lessons, including responsibility, how to handle criticism, and staying "cool" during rehearsal, even if sometimes I would get frustrated. These lessons don't even include anything that has to do with my singing/acting. This theater would be a huge loss to the community if it closed. I love the staff, actors, and everyone who works there like family! I don't want to lose my home AND my family. Please help save this theater!

One of the kids' casts for the 2012 production of Glory Bea! with Audrey Nakagawa front and center!

Another of the kids' casts for the 2012 production of Glory Bea!

Why Wayside needs ongoing support

Many of you reading this already know that Wayside Theatre is in financial crisis.  To understand more about the details of how that came to be, I encourage you to read the narrative on Wayside's website: http://www.waysidetheatre.org/subcontent/ourStory.php  

A major part of what got us to this point: the industry standard in professional, nonprofit theatre is that contributions from audience and community members make up the bulk of revenue, and we haven't seen the ongoing donations that are necessary to sustain the level of theatre produced here at Wayside.  Don't get me wrong--our donors have pulled through in spades for us, and we're eternally grateful for their support!  However, we need to reach out to those who may not have donated, or who may have contributed once, but not renewed their support each year.

This need for support above and beyond ticket sales from the community is not unique to Wayside Theatre.  In for-profit businesses, if the sale of your product doesn't pay for you to make it and then some, there's something wrong.  However, nonprofit business works very differently, and so does nonprofit theatre.  Ticket sales at any nonprofit theatre will only cover the first act of a three-act play.  The other two acts need to be funded by grants, ad sales, sponsorships, and individual donors.

Now that you have a little bit more information about why we need regular, annual, ongoing support, here are the words of some Wayside Theatre family members--parents of the kids in our education programs--explaining why members of the community should consider renewing their support annually:

From Cheryl Lemire Nakagawa:

Why would the closing of Wayside Theatre be a huge loss? For me, it's personal. My daughter, Audrey, fell in love with Wayside at the age of nine with her first summer camp. From then on, we have considered Wayside a second home for our family. Now 12 years-old, Audrey has had many, many amazing experiences through this wonderful theater and the amazing people who run it. She has attended several workshops, where her acting and singing skills were honed. She was the Ghost of Christmas Past in "A Christmas Carol", and then was honored to play Glory Bea for two years, a story so well written worthy of broader attention. She has learned the value and beauty of live theater, where every movement and sound is scrutinized by attentive audience members. Who taught her this? An AMAZING staff! The tone begins from the top, from Artistic Director Warner Crocker, whose patience and skill are astounding to observe. And Thomasin Savaiano, who also has a amazing way with children herself, passing on her acting and singing knowledge almost selflessly. There isn't enough space to name everyone important to us and to Wayside, but I can tell you, EVERYONE who works there -- box office, awesome Musical Director Steve Przybylski, actors, interns, directors, board members -- everyone loves that theater and will work countless hours to support it.
I pray that this isn't the end of Wayside's history or Audrey's Wayside experience. The skills she has learned will be valuable throughout her life, no matter what she does. My hope is that this wonderful gem stays afloat for years to come, so that children and families can put down their ipods, cell phones, computers, and video games, for at least a little while, to experience entertainment the ways it has been done for centuries -- through PEOPLE.

Audrey Nakagawa as the title character in Glory Bea! in 2011.

Audrey Nakagawa reprising her role in Glory Bea! in 2012.

From Tara Brecht Shostek

I can't even begin to tell you how much Wayside Theatre has helped my daughter, Jessica, to blossom from being quiet and shy into a confident and self-assured 8 year old. Because of Wayside Theatre, she has an amazing ability to speak with confidence in front of her 25 classmates or in front of a theatre filled with 200 people. Wayside Theatre is an amazing place that has taught my child poise, self-confidence, discipline and how to work with adults in a professional setting. The opportunity to perform at Wayside Theatre, and the myriad of lessons she has learned from the professionals there, are gifts she will take with her for the rest of her life. She will always be a "Thtar!" Please help to keep this amazing place alive.

Jessica Shostek as Rebecca Estep in  Glory Bea! in 2011.

Jessica Shostek as Danielle Cupid in Cupid's Website in the Summer YPW session.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our plight, try to understand it, and consider contributing to our current fundraising campaign as well as to our future campaigns!  Your support is always appreciated, and we are so very grateful for all that our audiences do for us and with us.  

If you have questions, would like to talk more about anything you've heard or read about, or would like to make a donation, please call the theatre at 540-869-1776 or email info@waysidetheatre.org.  Thank you again!