Hello Valued Volunteer and Patrons,

Opening tomorrow at the Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium is the  Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Penguin Project Production of Cats: Young Actors Edition.  This show is not to be missed as it will set a smile to your face to see these talent youth perform. Continuing in the Carver Studio is The Lion in Winter. Tickets are going fast, so get your tickets today. 

Below you will also find information on an MLK Day video produced through RAWK and the Civic,  Spring Break Camps for youth, Presidential Service Volunteer Award recipients, Disney's The Lion King Jr audition information, productions that need ushers, and other show and volunteer opportunities.  Read on for more information.

If you have any questions about any of the information in the following articles or anything volunteer-related at the Civic, please feel free to contact your Director of Volunteers, Mike Artis, at martis@kazoocivic.com or call 269-548-3031.  

"What's a Jellicle cat?"   The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Penguin Project production of Cats: Young Actors Edition will answer that question and so much more.  Each season, the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Penguin Project matches differently abled youth with youth mentors, and together, they perform a one of a kind, magical performance.  This year's production is Cats: Young Actors Edition opening tomorrow , January 26th and runs though Sunday, February 4th.

Based on the 1939 collection of poems from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Elliot, and music  by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cats:Young Actors Edition tells the story of a magical night where Jellicile cats come gloriously together to attend the "Jellicle Ball" to make the "Jellicle Choice" of who shall ascend to the Heavyside layer and return to a new Jellicle life.

This show features Gavin Isaacs, Maddie Tasker, Grant Tiffany, Tori Austin, Ryleigh Simpson, Genevieve Miller, David Slater, Timmy Cheeseman, Savannah Plank, Brooke Demmond, Daniel Fucile, Ryan Yacullo, Viktor Rozmys and Adaline Mills. Mentors to these fine actors are Desmond Mitchell, Kaiya Bates, Adela Marsh-Prelesnik, Brooke Batsie, Abby Amsterberg, Gwen Cortright, Oakley Martinek, Jane Hannond, Isabel Schoenheit, Elia Ingerham, Chloe Davis, Eilee Stob, Spencer Duguay and Evie Meskin.  Round out the cast are swings Molly Endres(Dance Captain), Aria Nahavandi, Katie Alleman, Keely Alleman, Kylie Shoemaker, Meadow Walsh, Robyn Shepich and Wesley Gibbs.  The show is directed  by AnnMarie Miller, musically directed  by Wendy Wheeler and choreographed  by Emma Michael.  Jeannine Jones is the mentor coordinator, Olivia Johnston is the Stage Manager and Kelsey Jordan is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Performances for the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre Penguin Project's, Cats, Young Actors Edition are Friday, January 26 and February 2 at 7:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, January 27, 28 and February 3, 4, at 2:00pm; with early morning performances on Wednesday, January 31, and Thursday, February 1 at 10:00am.  To purchase tickets for this production, please click on the button below.

This is your last weekend to catch the wonderful show in the Carver Studio, The Lion in Winter. The Lion in Winter concerns the interpersonal dynamics and political wrangling of King Henry II; his wife Queen Eleanor, whom he has kept imprisoned in a tower for the past ten years; and their three sons, who are vying for the privilege of being named heir to the English throne. 

The Lion in Winter is directed by Anthony J. Hamilton and is assistant directed by Sydney Harrison (Alais Understudy). Daniel Coyne plays Henry II, Lisa Marie Parker plays Queen Eleanor, the sons are played by Drew Dixon as Prince Richard, Ian Cummisford as Prince Geoffrey, and Camryn Shankool as Prince John.  Princess Alais is portrayed by Delaney Becker and King Philip is played by Hayden Lane-Davies.  Understudies are Kevin Hopp, Mary Redmon, Josh Hagemann, David Ross, and Katie Ault. The Stage Manager is Stacey Jaeger and the Assistant Stage Manager is Nick Richardson.

To get tickets click on the button below or call 269-343-1313.   

RAWK (Read and Write Kalamazoo) and the Civic together worked with students from the area to produce a video that launched on Martin Luther King Jr Day.  The video gives power to youth voices in honor of Dr. King. Each student spent a Saturday writing and recording their story, poem or inspirational words for you.  Please click on the link to view the video.  

Disney's The Lion King Jr. auditions are Sunday, February 4 and Monday, February 5  for crew and acting positons, Tuesday February 6 for acting poisitions only at 4:30pm in the Carver Center at 426 S. Park St, Kalamazoo, 49007.  This Civic Youth Theatre production needs actors, technicians, and build crews, ages 9 to 18.  Those interested in auditioning for this show, please click on the button below or use the QR code to sign up for an audition day.  

Disney's The Lion King Jr is directed by Anthony J. Hamilton, choreographed by Anthony J. Hamilton and King Ryan Singleton, and musically directed by Theresa Williams-Johnson.  

Congratulations to the following Presidential Service Award recipients.  This award is given to individuals based on hours of service and their impact in the community through their volunteer hours.  Those who recieved an award fall into one of 4 categories: Kids, Teen, Young Adult, and Adult. 

Emily Awe- Gold (Young Adult Volunteer)

Logan Awe- Gold (Young Adult Volunteer)

Brian R. Bay- Gold (Adult Volunteer)

Ryan Burke- Bronze (Adult volunteer) 

Spencer Duguay- Gold (Teen Volunteer)

Aubrey Hansen- Gold (Teen Volunteer)

Oakley Martinek- Gold (Teen Volunteer)

Evie Meskin- Gold (Teen Volunteer)

Laurie Nic- Bronze (Adult Volunteer)

Others who have already received this award for the 2023 calendar year are:

Kristin Tyrrell- Bronze (Adult volunteer) 

Alan Moerdyk- Silver (Adult Volunteer)

Chloe Davis- Silver (Young Adult Volunteer)

David Mahon-  Silver (Adult Volunteer)

Dusti Morton-Silver (Adult Volunteer)

Aster Sage-Silver (Young Adult Volunteer)

Ava Peterson- Silver (Young Adult Volunteer)

RJ Soule-Silver (Adult Volunteer)

Elia Ingerhan- Gold (Teen Volunteer)

Elvin E. East- Gold (Adult Volunteer)

Isaac Byler- Gold (Young Adult Volunteer)

Jan Watson - Gold (Adult Volunteer)

Mahalia Reign- Gold (Teen Volunteer)

Molly Endres- Gold (Young Adult Volunteer)

Terra Smith- Gold (Teen Volunteer)

Viktor Rozmys- Gold (Teen Volunteer)

Zoe Stewart- Gold (Teen Volunteer) 

Eli Kaeding- Gold (Young Adult Volunteer)

Kaia Jordan- Gold (Young Adult Volunteer)

Please contact Mike Artis, Director of Volunteers to make arrangements to pick up your award and thank you all for being such hard working volunteers.  The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre is honored to have you volunteer with our organization. 

First, thank you to all of our ushers who have helped with our first five shows of the season.  We are now looking for ushers for the upcoming productions of Cats: Young Actors Edition, Is There Life After High School?, The 39 Steps, and Forever Plaid. Spaces are very limited for Is There Life After High School? and Forever Plaid so make sure to sign up today. Ushers are also needed for the holdover weekend of The Lion in Winter on January 26, 27 and 28.  

Ushers are asked to arrive 1 hour and 15 minutes before the start of the show.  Ushers assist with getting patrons to their seats, concessions and merchandise sales, taking tickets, and other front of house duties.  Ushers also stay and watch the show. Those wishing to serve as an usher mentor, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes earlier than the rest of the usher team to get special information from the Front of House Manager.

To sign up for these productions, please click on the corresponding buttons below.

The Civic is looking for crew members for the Senior Class Reader's Theatre production of Is there Life After High School? Positions available are floor/fly crew and A2 operators (sound).  We are also in need of dressers, floor/fly crew and  A2 (sound) for Catch Me If You Can.   Crew is needed for The 39 Steps.  Crew positions available are dressers and floor/fly crew positions.

Interested in working behind the scenes and want to sign up for a crew position?  Click on the button below and let Mike Artis, Director of Volunteers, know which show you are interested in.  For more information on any of these shows, please feel free to click on the button and send a message to Mike.

Thank you, Volunteers, for your time and dedication to the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre!  We appreciate you and look forward to seeing you soon at the theatre.

Mike Artis (he/him/his)

Director of Volunteers

martis@kazoocivic.com

Phone: 269-548-3031

Kalamazoo Civic Theatre

329 S Park St. Kalamazoo, MI 49007

(269) 343-1313 Box Office; Volunteer Phone (269) 548-3031

Email: volunteer@kazoocivic.com

You are receiving this email because you opted in or purchased tickets.