Tag Archives: GR Civic Theatre

Learn to Shake, Rattle and Roll at GR Civic Theatre this Winter!

December 17, 2015Education, Local Entertainment, Upcoming EventsGR Civic Theatre, julia freyer, laurie veldheer, single sword combat, unarmed stage combat, vocal intensive, workshopJoanne

By Victoria Mullen

Nope. Even if you’re not a fan of the cold or ice or snow, there is absolutely no reason to be bored this winter. These offerings from the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre will have you enjoying the season in no time.

Unarmed Stage Combat Workshop (age 18 and up):

Ever wonder how actors perform realistic-looking actions like falling, punching, kicking, pulling, pushing, rolling, or choking without killing each other? OK, maybe you already know but haven’t given it a try yourself. Well, here’s your chance. This three-weekend series gives participants a chance to work with a professional stunt choreographer to explore basic safe practices in performing staged combat.

Class meets from 3-5 pm three Saturdays in January: the 16^th, 23^rd, and 30^th. Space is limited (4-12 people). Invite your friends and family to the “In-Formance” for the final 30 minutes of class on January 30^th and show off what you’ve learned.

This one’s popular folks, so register today. To sign up for the workshop go here. FEE $125.00

Single Sword Stage Combat Workshop (age 18 and up):

Errol Flynn and Inigo Montoya are just two famous members of the swashbuckling legacy, and you can follow their fancy footsteps by taking this class. Presented by a certified professional instructor, this three-weekend workshop explores basic techniques within the Hollywood style of swordplay. You’ll learn the principles of footwork, spacing, protocol and safe technique. Invite family and friends to the final presentation to show off your new skills. Space is limited (4-12 people), so register now.

Class meets three 3-5 pm Saturdays, February 6, 13 & 27 (NO CLASS February 20). Classroom In-Formance: February 27th — The student may invite family and friends for the final 30 minutes of class! To sign up for this workshop go here. FEE $125.00

On a musical note (Ha! See what we did there?), Civic Theatre offers Musical Theatre Audition Prep Workshops with some presenters who have some serious cred, so you’ll be working with some of the best in the biz.

Broadway Actress, Laurie Veldheer, an alumni of the Civic School of Theatre Arts, has appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia! as Sophie Sheridan and Newsies (Original Broadway Cast). She graduated from Penn State University with her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre and continues to study in NYC while pursuing her professional career.

Julia Freyer, a Grand Rapids native and Alumni of Civic School of Theatre Arts, is a proud graduate of Penn State University’s Musical Theatre Program. Freyer’s national tour credits include: A Chorus Line (Judy) with Michael Bennett’s original choreography set by Baayork Lee. Regional favorites: Paper Mill Playhouse in A Chorus Line (Judy) directed by Mitzi Hamilton, Sacramento Music Circus in A Chorus Line (Judy) directed by Stafford Arima, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (The Producers, Curtains), Atlanta Theatre of the Stars (The Producers), Pennsylvania Centre Stage (The Apple Tree, She Loves Me, Pop!). Julia is also a featured dancer with the American Pops Orchestra in Washington DC. Julia currently teaches dance to children and adults in the New York City.

Triple Threat Prep: Vocal, Acting & Dance with Laurie Veldheer and Julia Freyer:

Looking to perfect your vocal, acting and dance skills before Winter and Spring auditions? Let Broadway Actress, Laurie Veldheer and NYC-based audition coach, Julia Freyer take the mystery out of auditioning for musical theatre. Whether you are a beginner, or a veteran performer, Laurie and Julia will help you reach new heights and get the most out of your audition experience.

Session 1 (ages 8-12): Tuesday, December 22, 10am-3:30pm. Session 1 will work on Music first, then have an hour break for lunch and to change into dance clothes for the dance portion of the workshop. To sign up for Session 1 of the workshop, go here. FEE: $225.00

Session 2 (ages 13-Adults): Tuesday, December 22, 11:30am-5:00pm. Session 2 will work on dance first, then have an hour break for lunch before working on the musical portion of the workshop. To sign up for Session 2 of the workshop, go here. FEE: $225.00

Vocal Intensive with Laurie Veldheer

Want to focus on the vocal portion of your audition? Well, this is the workshop for you! Broadway Actress Laurie Veldheer will help students choose appropriate material, maximize their vocal potential, and make strong acting choices. Anyone is welcome to register for this workshop, and students who have already taken the December 22^nd workshop will benefit from added coaching and one-on-one time. Session 1 (8-12 year olds): December 29^th, 10am-1pm To sign up for session 1 of the workshop, go here. FEE: $150

Session 2 (13-Adults): December 29^th, 2pm-5pm To sign up for session 2 of the workshop, go here. FEE: $150

‘Sleepy Hollow, a Musical Tale’ puts a modern spin on a spooky classic Oct. 23-Nov. 1

October 19, 2015Local Entertainment, Local Faces, Upcoming EventsGR Civic Theatre, Halloween, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Sleepy Hollow, stage play, youth musicalJoanne

By: Victoria Mullen

A haunting classic has been updated and set to music. With a limited run from October 23-November 1, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (GRCT) presents ‘Sleepy Hollow, a Musical Tale.’ The audience will find a lot to love about this stage play as it combines comedy, drama, and music.

Based on Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow—originally published in 1819 with a collection of other short stories—the stage play, music and lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Freedman promises fun for everyone. Tickets are $10-$16.

“Our cast has approached this show as a blend between a Tim Burton film and a Scooby-Doo episode,” said Associate Director Allyson Paris. “The music in this play is outstanding, filled with modern pop-themed songs. Families can expect to see some of the most talented young people in West Michigan singing and dancing. You will be singing and dancing too!”

Set in New York within a 1790s Dutch settlement—nicknamed ‘Sleepy Hollow’—the original story’s protagonist is Ichabod Crane, a schoolteacher who meets up with the Headless Horseman after unsuccessfully proposing to a young lady. The Headless Horseman chases Crane through a haunted forest, only to be stymied by the river—ghosts cannot cross water. Instead, the horseman takes up his severed head and throws it at Crane, hitting his face. Even after all these years, Crane’s fate remains unknown.

As legend has it, the Headless Horseman was a Hessian soldier who was killed during the Battle of White Plains in 1776. Decapitated by an American cannonball, his body was whisked away by his comrades; the remains of his shattered head were left on the battlefield. Each Halloween night, he rises as a malevolent ghost, furiously seeking his lost head. For the sake of additional gruesomeness, modern lore has the ghost riding headless with his severed head resting on the pommel of his saddle.

GRCT’s updated spin begins in the present day on Halloween night as three modern-day children find themselves thrust into the mysterious village of Sleepy Hollow, in Colonial New England. The children encounter a variety of colorful characters and even have a confrontation with the infamous Headless Horseman himself. As the children sing and dance their way through the world of the 18^th century, they find the origins for traditions that are celebrated today as they unveil the haunting allure of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Recommended for children ages seven and older, Sleepy Hollow, A Musical Tale is great family fun with just a bit of a Halloween edge. Kids attending the October 31 matinee (2:00 curtain) performance are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes. Special treats will be given to the first 200 children.

Go here to purchase tickets or call 616.222.6650.

The Winds of Change are Bringing Mary Poppins to Town

November 5, 2014Citizen JournalismGR Civic Theatre, Grand Rapids Civic Theater, Mary Poppins, Susanne AlbaitisJoanne

Just in time for the holidays, Mary Poppins soars onto Grand Rapids Civic Theater’s stage, reminding us all about the important things in life: love and family.

November 14, 2014 through December 14, 2014, this beloved children’s story comes to life for the first time ever on Civic’s stage. Grand Rapids Civic Theater was only one of six community theaters in the country given the rights to perform Mary Poppins.

The seasoned cast includes Civic alum, Alyssa Bauer who transforms herself from perky wife and mother into the proper, boot and hat wearing nanny, Mary Poppins. Her sweet, yet powerful songs will have you believing that a spoonful of sugar will make the medicine go down. You may recognize her from her previous roles at the Civic including Cinderella in Cinderella, Maria in The Sound of Music, Martha Washington in 1776 and Mary Hatch in A Wonderful Life.

Villainous nanny, Miss Andrews is played to perfection by Allyson Paris, a musical theater and voice teacher at Civic. Miss Andrews is hired to replace a missing Mary Poppins, but her tyrannical discipline style differs greatly from Mary’s sweet disposition. Watch for the funny, yet dramatic “duel” between Mary Poppins and Miss Andrews.

The accomplished and talented William Schutte plays Bert, Mary Poppins’s life-long friend. Schutte’s stage career has taken him around the world. He was also cast in the touring productions of A Chorus Line, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita.

His accomplishments extend beyond the stage; for years Schutte has choreographed shows at Civic and has won a number of Grand Awards for his productions. His role in Mary Poppins will return him to the stage where his passion for tap and theater will surely shine.

Set design is another important piece of this spirited musical. Turning Civic Theater into 1900’s London is the work of scenic designer, David Len. Len uses a paintbrush with a four-foot bamboo extension to paint and splatter his way back to Edwardian London. Watching the backdrops come to life is an impressive show in itself.

The dancing penguins from the movie are absent in the play, but there are however statues that come to life. This holds true to the book series, Mary Poppins, written by P. L. Travers.

Auditions for the show were particularly difficult because performers needed to have singing, acting and tap dancing skills; the triple threat. Tap dancing is a bit of a lost art in the new millennium, but who knows, Civic’s four week run of Mary Poppins may just have Grand Rapids residents tap dancing in the streets.

Tickets are available on line at http://www.grct.org/purchasetickets.html or by calling (888) 695-0888. Grand Rapids Civic Theater also offers a number of ticket packages on their website.