New London Theatre February Newsletter

The

New London Theatre Newsletter

www.newlondontheatre.org 770-979-3691/ email NLTSnellville@yahoo.com

2485 Highway 78 East, Snellville, GA 30078

February, 2008 Volume 2, Issue 1

The New London Theatre needs your help!

FUNDS (critical) and VOLUNTEERS needed!!

Editor: Leslie Raab

YOUR DONATIONS ARE NEEDED!!!

New London Theatre needs money to finish the renovations and we need to ask your help with this. We have done our best to use our funds wisely but the construction we paid for and the materials we purchased have depleted our resources. We still need to purchase the materials for our stage, curtains, and lots of other things. We have been blessed with volunteer labor and folks are sharing their talents by taking on the decorating of the lobby and restrooms, but there is more to be done.

We would like to ask you to please consider sending us a donation. Picture this if each of the people that received this newsletter would send even $10.00, we would have plenty of money to work with. We would rather not start out in our new home with a huge debt or have to lose all that we have done so far. We have a $4,000 a month lease payment, not to mention play royalties, utilities, etc.

Remember, we are a not-for-profit corp. so your donation it tax-deductible. And, to make it easy for you, we now have a DONATE button on our website. It will take you to and you can make your donation from your PayPal account or your credit card!! it would do so much to help sustain us and carry out construction. We now have a CPA (Everton Williams, CPA) who has volunteered his services free of charge, so you can check our financials any time. evertoncpa1@msn.com This truly is a community theatre and we hope that you believe in us enough to join with us and make it happen. Come by and say hello and check out the new place. Please tell your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. Let’s spread the news and get the community to notice we are here!!

Thank you!!

The New London Theatre Board of Directors

1

You can now pay for your tickets on our website via and use your PayPal account or your credit card! www.newlondontheatre.org

2

“Godspell� rehearsals are progressing! The cast has battled cold, no heat, lots of noise, construction, ,and interruptions, but keeps on going!

The show must go on!

3

NLT Journal Read about the experiences of our actors or other members of the NLT family! ************************************************ From Tom Martin: As “It’s a Wonderful Life” comes to a conclusion, in looking at our first experience with NLT we have found it very enjoyable and positive. Colin and Christian Hathaway (who were double-cast as Pete and Tommy respectively) had never performed in a community theatre. While we admittedly weren’t prepared for the rigorous rehearsal schedule, nonetheless the boys said being a part of this play was “awesome” (Colin particularly enjoyed the warm-ups!). They really had fun being on stage and learning how to perform. They also made new friends among the cast; fellow cast members appeared to welcome and help them feel comfortable. We also were able to get involved with the production “behind the scenes” on the house crew as well as help at the new facility. It was interesting to learn about all the preparation needed to present a quality show. Overall, the NLT provides a wholesome outlet and provides an atmosphere for a young person to build self-esteem and confidence. We look forward to other opportunities to participate in upcoming productions both on- and off-stage to help develop this theatre as a viable community partner.

From Hannah Carey: I auditioned for my first New London Theatre show on a whim, because I was bored. I had attended drama camps at my church every summer since I was 10, but I had never been in a “real” play: a play with a script more than two pages long, a plot, and a “real” audition.

I had been itching for some drama for several months, so I searched “community theater” on the internet, and discovered the New London Theatre website. Noticing that there was an upcoming audition, I scribbled down the date and read the list of characters. There was a teenage girl character who caught my fancy, so I jotted down her monologue beside the date and memorized it later that week.

At the audition, I had the unsettling sensation that everyone knew what was going on except me. I filled out the audition form, conscious of the woefully short list I had written under “Theater Experience”. Before we started, the director explained that if we were unable to come to all the performances, some of the roles could be double-cast. I heaved a sigh of relief, because that had been bothering me. When my number was called, I told the director that I would be out of town for one of the three weekends the show was running. Then I recited my monologue with a bravado I did not feel, smiled graciously (I hoped), and left. I checked the website religiously until the callbacks were posted, and was thrilled when I saw my name posted.

The callbacks were a new experience for me as well. Everyone who came was asked to read for different characters, and we read through three or four scenes several times, each time with a different group of people. After the callback, they said they would post the cast list on the website. I would not allow myself to check the website that night, but the next morning I checked it bright and early and saw my name and the name of another girl listed beside the part for which I had auditioned. The director had double-cast the role, which delighted me; I was surprised that I was not excluded because I could not make all the shows.

Continued…..

4

NLT Journal, continued: From Hannah Carey: When the rehearsals began, I fell in love. I fell in love with the cast and crew; every rehearsal seemed like a family reunion, only better. I fell in love with the organized chaos; everyone was busy, and everyone had a particular job. There was a person in charge of props, a person in charge of costumes, people in charge of the set, and a director, assistant director and stage manager who seemed to be in charge of everything at once. I also fell in love with the script, the characters, and the world we entered when we stepped onto the stage. I often felt like Alice in Wonderland stepping through the looking-glass. It was magical.

It wasn’t always fun, however. At some of the rehearsals in a church gymnasium, a basketball team practiced at the same time. Many of us learned how to project our voices by having to speak over the noise of bouncing basketballs! Production week was less than fun, too. On each of the four days leading up to opening night we had a full dress rehearsal, complete with costumes, makeup, lights and sound. We were exhausted. We were nervous. There were a thousand kinks that needed to be worked out and we were supposed to open in a matter of days. I had invited friends and family, but during production week, I am ashamed to admit that I regretted it. Nothing good could ever come, I was sure, out of this tangled mess of dropped lines, missed cues, smeared makeup and general mayhem.

Fortunately, I was mistaken. The play went well through all three weekends, and I was heartbroken when it ended. I suffered withdrawal pangs for days, but I discovered the cure when I auditioned for the next play. I seem to have entered a never-ending cycle. The theater bug has officially bitten me!

I invite anyone who would like to share their experience with New London Theatre to do so.

Write it up and send it to me via email at l.raab@comcast.net You never know, what you share may inspire someone else to experience their dream or try something new.

Thank you!

House Crew needed for Godspell: (See, now Tom is acting House Manager!! (read above)

GODSPELL HOUSE CREW If you're not in the cast for GODSPELL or would like to get involved with the New London Theatre at its new facility, consider volunteering as a member of the House Crew. Your help is welcome at any one or more of the 10 upcoming GODSPELL performances. House Crew members serve as ushers, concessionaires and handle walk-in ticket sales. GODSPELL performances are at 8pm on Feb 15, 16, 22, 23 29 and March 1 and at 2:30pm on Feb 17, 24 and March 2. Interested? Please call Tom Martin, House Manager, at 770-979-8939 or email at twmartin50@yahoo.com for more information. Remember, your help is welcomed and needed!!

5

Wish List These are things we need for the new place. If you have anything you would like to donate, please email us right away. Remember, we are a non-profit organization and any donations of goods/services are tax deductible. Ask us for a receipt! Thank you for helping! black paint painting supplies large rubber storage containers with lids cleaning supplies clothing racks vacuum cleaner carpet sweeper brooms sewing supplies dust pans trash bags silent running ice maker Men’s room dÊcor and Pt/tp holders, trash cans Mirror, etc.

fabric for costumes and sets tickets microwave shelves large mirrors coffee maker (large one) storage cabinets pop corn machine large fold away tables copier PA system for front of theatre

a four unit walkie talkie set with headphones money (always needed) theatre style crowd control ropes with poles sewing machines (that work well) stackable or folding chairs nice clothing suitable for costuming (suits for men/women, fancy dresses, hats, etc

We are Here!

Our new address is: 2485 Highway 78 East, Snellville, GA 30078

6

WORK DAYS –Saturday, Feb. 2 and 9 th will be the next workdays, all day. We need men!! Come help install seats and other work to get ready for opening night! Come when you can, stay as long as you want!

Thanks, we really need you.

Help Needed!

ACTIVITIES New London Theatre is organizing activities for everyone to participate in. We will be attending various plays and sporting events and hopefully taking advantage of some group discounts!! Please check the New London Theatre website for up to the minute details. We hope you will come and join us. www.newlondontheatre.org New York City Theatre Trip - March 7, 8, 9, 2008 Cost - $995 including airfare, hotel, bus fare, three Broadway shows, plus $60 back on the trip for food. The first payment of $200 is to be made by Sept. 15th. For more information, please e-mail Kirk Buis at: Kirkbuis@yahoo.com SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 8 AM-WORKDAY SATURDAY OUR TROUPE NEEDS LOTS OF PREPPING FOR PREMIERE. BRING PLIERS, SCREW DRIVER, RATCHET WRENCH(5/8)--HELP BOLT THE SEATS ONTO THE PLATFORMS AND PUT UP DRYWALL. HELP PAINT, CLEAN, SWEEP, DUST, TAKE OUT TRASH....

THE GROUNDS NEED STRAIGHTENING....IF YOU HAVE A BLOWER, HEDGE TRIMMER, LEAF RAKE, AND PLEASE WEAR GLOVES. WE COULD SEND RUNNERS TO GET LUNCH. GODSPELL REHEARSES IN THE AFTERNOON, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE READTHROUGHS DURING THE DAY, SO LET'S GET OUR THEATRE SQUARED AWAY, AND THANKS FOR YOU SUPPORT! Exciting activities coming up: Tailgate Party at Stone Mountain Park: Spring, 2008 MAY HAS SOME EXCITING EVENTS PLANNED, LOOK FOR THE BUDDY AWARD DAY, AND THE NEW ELOCUTION FESTIVAL! Sparkles Roller Skate Night for NLT troupe and friends, NLT OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 3PM Habersham Theatre Trip to see DAMN YANKEES : Possible dates-email jonathancates@yahoo.com if interested: April 24, 25, 26, 27, May 1, 2, 3, or 4?

Holly Theatre Trip, Dahlonega, GA Black Bear Dinner Theatre Trip ( http://www.blackbeardinnertheatre.com ) so be watching your email for more info.

You may also want to join the yahoo group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NewLondonTheatre ALSO, http://www.facebook.com has 2 New London Theatre groups, and a Lion, Witch and Wardrobe group to join!

Want to be on the NLT Birthday List?

Birthday Alarm is set upEmail jonathancates@yahoo.com or call (678) 520-1710 with your 1.Name, 2.E-mail address, 3.Birthday or Anniversary.

You will receive a free e-card from the New London Theatre on that date.

7

Check out the website to see who’s in the cast!!

Interested in seeing pictures of our past and present productions? If you would like to look, order prints or other goodies, please visit:

http://www.kathi.mardis.com New London Theatre earns money on all of your purchases!!

Thanks for helping.

8

PHOTOS OF THE RENOVATIONS You can see more photos on our Facebook page.

Check them out!

A big THANK YOU to our board member David Clack for his untold hours of construction and sharing his talents.

Without you, David, we wouldn’t have accomplished much!!!!

9

Interested in seeing pictures of our past and present productions? If you would like to look, order prints or other goodies, please visit:

http://www.kathi.mardis.com New London Theatre earns money on all of your purchases!!

Thanks for helping.

Audition Info Everyone is invited to come and audition, whether you have done it before or not.

You never know, you may be the next “Snellville Idol”. No seriously, it is a lot of fun and whether or not you make it into the cast, there is still plenty of good stuff to do.

Bring the kids and make it a family affair. Just check our website for audition dates and watch your email for further info. If you have a question about auditions, please email us. We are happy to answer any questions you have about the process.

We are also looking for people who have had experience in Directing. If you would like to get involved in that aspect of the theatre, please let us know.

New Director’s Showcase Have you ever wanted to try YOUR hand at directing?? Your chance is coming soon!

The New Director's Showcase/One Act Festival is an opportunity for people like you to try your hand at directing a smaller production. If you are interested in participating or if you have any questions, please contact the show's producer at cidarid@bellsouth.net The show dates are in the spring, but commitments are needed shortly after the first of the year. There are limited slots, so sign up now. If you have already talked to the producer, but have not submitted an email, please send an email to confirm your interest.

Please do us a favor and forward this newsletter to all of your friends and family who live in the area! That will help us get the word out!!!!

Thank you.

Do you have any favorite plays that you would like to see performed by New London Theatre?

Watch the website for an opportunity to vote for a play you would like to see!

Would you like to receive this newsletter from us?

If so, just send an email to: l.raab@comcast.net and put “Subscribe Newsletter” in the subject box!

Thanks for reading and for your support of New London Theatre!!

10