News
For Immediate Release
April 23, 2007
Http://www.aact.org
Cheyenne Little Theatre Players production of A Walk in the Woods by Lee Blessing won the regional American Association of Community Theatre’s (AACT) festival competition Sunday, April 22 held here in Cheyenne. Region 7 of AACT is made up of community theatres from Colorado, Utah, Montana and Wyoming. CLTP’s production of A Walk in the Woods will move on to national competition at the National AACT Festival to be held in Charlotte, NC June 18-24, 2007.
This will mark the second time in Cheyenne Little Theatre Players 78 year history that it has been invited to perform at AACT’s National competition. In 1993 CLTP took a production of Terra Nova to national competition and won second place.
A Walk in the Woods is directed by Keith Thomson and features Dave Hall and Jeff Tish in the roles of John Honeyman and Andrey Botvinnik. The stage Manager is Rich Hammond.
This production was also a showcase winner at the Rocky Mountain Theatre Festival held earlier this year at Western State College in Gunnison CO. The Rocky Mountain Theatre Association is made of Community, College, High School and University theatres from Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming and is separate from the American Association of Community Theatres.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our theatre and our community,” said Harry Woods, Managing Director of Cheyenne Little Theatre Players. “National exposure is a great opportunity for people in the country to see what kind of talent and community involvement there is in our city.” “We are proud to represent Cheyenne, our state and region with this thought provoking piece of theatre.”
Walk in the Woods is an important, brilliantly executed and strikingly original play, which brings deep perception and unexpected humor to its probing examination of the superpower negotiations on nuclear disarmament. Written in the 1980’s during the Cold War, its message is as timely today as it was during that difficult era of US Soviet relations.
Thanks to everyone who made our special performance of A Walk in The Woods such a success! Not only was the house almost a complete sell out, but we also raised $1367 with our silent auction in addition to some additional cash donations. Mark your calendars for April 22nd at East High School as we are planning one more performance of this outstanding show to (hopefully) prepare for AACT nationals in North Carolina. See you there!!
Special thanks to the following for their contributions to the auction and refreshments for our fundraiser night:
The Balloon Family
Cheyenne Depot Museum
Cheyenne Frontier Days
Cheyenne Symphony
Comfort Inn
Deselm's Fine Art Studio
Paula Egan-Wright
Sheryl Fanning
Harry Woods
FYE
Jewelry Impressions
Madeline's Scents
Outback Steakhouse
The Plains Hotel
Riddle's Jewelry
Glenn Shaffer
Dale Williams
Wyoming Home
Zen's Bistro
Cheyenne Little Theatre Players production of A WALK IN THE WOODS selected for presentation at annual Rocky Mountain Theatre Association Festival
John H. Taylor, Associate Professor of Theatre at Adams State College and current President of the Rocky Mountain Theatre Association (RMTA) announced today that the Cheyenne Little Theatre Players production of A Walk in the Woods, by Lee Blessing has been chosen as a showcase production for the annual RMTA Festivention to be held February 1-4, 2007 at Western State College in Gunnison, CO.
A Walk in the Woods, directed by Keith Thomson and featuring Dave Hall, Service Excellence Director, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and Jeff Tish, Technical Director for Cheyenne Little Theatre Players was selected from numerous entries throughout a five-state region of Colleges, Universities and Community Theatres in Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.
The main function of RMTA is the annual FESTIVENTION. This festival/convention is hosted by theatre organizations within a five state region and occurs sometime in the early months of the year, generally between January and April. Each FESTIVENTION offers its own unique atmosphere, drawn from the particular strengths of its hosting company. Spanning 4 days, the conference offers daily workshops in multiple areas of interest including Acting, Directing, Playwriting, Dance, Costume Design, Dramaturgy, Makeup, Puppetry, Lighting, Criticism, History, Scenic Design and many other areas of the performing arts. Professionals within the region and across the United States present workshops. The 2007 Festivention is February 1-4.
The Rocky Mountain Theatre Association was founded in 1951 as a forum for students and theatre artists to expand their knowledge and experience through interaction with fellow students and theatre professionals. This exchange occurs at the Festivention, an annual convention featuring theatre arts workshops, lectures, demonstrations, performances, competitions, scholarships, employment opportunities, and informal gatherings.
Since its inception over 55 years ago, the organization has grown to include members representing the entire Rocky Mountain theatre community, thereby providing an even greater opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise. Membership includes, but is not limited to, academic institutions such as high schools, colleges and universities, community theatres, individual theatre artists, non-profit organizations, and professional theatre companies.
Many R.M.T.A. members have developed successful careers in stage, television, and film. These include William Shatner (STAR TREK), University of Utah; Lee Horsely (GUNS OF PARADISE), University of Northern Colorado; and Carroll O’Connor (ALL IN THE FAMILY, HEAT OF THE NIGHT), University of Montana.
In addition to the professional theatre involvement, the R.M.T.A. has developed a positive national and international reputation in academic and educational theatre. Many outstanding theatre arts training programs located throughout the Rocky Mountain region are members of the R.M.T.A., and are attended by students from all over the world. Reciprocally, R.M.T.A. professors participate in world theatre conferences.
FESTIVENTION also offers a variety of competitions and regional auditions. Money awards are given for winners within the Acting, Design, Musical Theatre, Community Theatre, and Playwriting. Auditions include Scholarship presentations before regional College and University scouts, as well as the popular Employment Auditions, which bring in professional summer stock scouts looking for actors, designers and technicians. Each night of FESTIVENTION gathers all attendees for one of the Regional Showcase winners. Up to four outstanding productions are presented featuring regional, national and international professionals.
Daily events vary each year with special offerings in Youth Conference workshops and performances, special guest keynote addresses and the annual RMTA Business Meeting.
Harry Woods, CLTP Managing Director has been named to the Board of Directors of the Rocky Mountain Theatre Association. http://www.rmta.net/
Longtime CLTP volunteer Helen (Griffith) Townsend passed away on November 14th in Colorado. Helen had undergone surgery for a brain tumor, had lapsed into a coma and never regained consciousness. Helen is probably best remembered around CLTP as our premiere Melodrama piano player (or tickler of the ivories)for over 30 years where her timing and sense of character were always right on. Helen had also appeared onstage in some CLTP productions and acted as music director for GI Holiday Jukebox last season. Her children and grandchildren have also been active volunteers for CLTP in shows, backstage and in the front of house. Helen, all of us, especially we Melodrama junkies, will sorely miss you. |
