Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Children’s Theatre of Knoxville e-NEWS February 2010

Children’s Theatre of Knoxville e-NEWS
February 2010
Included in this issue:

- “Ramona Quimby” To Open Friday, March 12
Shows: Fridays (3/12, 19 & 26) at 7 PM
**NEW TIMES! Saturdays (3/ 13, 20 & 27) at 3 PM & 7 PM
Sundays (3/ 14 & 21) at 3 PM
Thursdays (3/18 & 25) at 7 PM

- Cast of “Curiosity Cat” Announced; Play
Opens on March 12

- Only a Few Seats Left in CTK’s Spring Term of
Creative Dramatics Classes to Begin March 13;
Saturday Classes:
“You’re Making A Scene!” for ages 6 to 10
“Character Factory” for ages 11 to 15
After-School Classes:
“Auditioning for A Play” for ages 6 to 10 (Mondays)
“Imagi-Stage” Workshop for ages 13 to 18 (Tuesdays)
“Introduction to Directing” for ages 14 to 18 (Weds)

- CTK Enrolling Students for Annual Creative Dramatics
Summer Camps

- Vote for CTK for Best Theatre Group on WTNZ’s “Hot List”;
CTK Holds A Slim 2% Lead at Press Time!

- Over 750 Audience Members Attend “The Hobbit”
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“RAMONA QUIMBY” TO OPEN ON MARCH 12;
PLAYS WEEKENDS THROUGH MAR. 27

Unpredictable. Exasperating. Boisterous and independent. That’s Ramona Quimby for you. Always aggravating her older sister, Beezus, constantly getting into trouble and sometimes “making a big, noisy fuss” when things don’t go her way. As narrator, Beezus (Beatrice Quimby) introduces the Quimby family and friends and thereby sets the scene for the collection of vignettes that trace Ramona’s tumultuous passage through third grade and through her family relationships. At school, she throws a tantrum when provoked by a classmate and is sent home in disgrace. The teacher’s wrath, an important family wedding, persistent sibling bickering and Mr.
Quimby’s attempts to give up smoking are part of the fabric that shape a humorous, loving family portrait.

NOTE: CTK is changing the times of Saturday performances with this production. Saturday shows will now be held at 3 PM and 7 PM.

The COMPLETE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE is:
Friday, March 12 at 7 PM
Saturday, March 13 at 3 PM and 7 PM
Sunday, March 14 at 3 PM
Thursday, March 18 at 7 PM
Friday, March 19 at 7 PM
Saturday, March 20 at 3 PM and 7 PM
Sunday, March 21 at 3 PM
Thursday, March 25 at 7 PM
Friday, March 26 at 7 PM
Saturday, March 27 at 3 PM and 7 PM

Reservations are strongly recommended for all CTK performances.
To reserve tickets for the production, e-mail the number of adult and child tickets needed, along with your requested performance date and time, to tickets@childrenstheatreknoxville.com . Or you may call us at (865) 599-5284. Tickets are $11 per person. CTK is continuing our special Adult & Child Combination rate for this production: If an adult and a child enter together, these two may be admitted for $9 each.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
The play is being performed by 13 of the Knoxville area’s finest child actors, being joined by six veteran adult performers. Samantha Hatmaker plays the title role of Ramona Quimby. CTK audiences may remember Sam from her previous roles of Templeton the Rat in “Charlotte’s Web” and The White Rabbit in “Alice In Wonderland.” Amber Hull portrays Beezus, Ramona’s older sister. Amber recently played the bratty singer Ashley Chaffin in “Zink: The Myth, The Legend, The Zebra” and adeptly played triple roles in “James and the Giant Peach.”

Other children appearing in the play include nine previous CTK performers (Madison Austin, Jaden Lily Branson, Jesscia Burks, English Daugherty, Zachary Hull, Bethany Moon, Wheeler Moon, Brandon Wilhoit, and Rowan
Young) and two young actors making their CTK debuts (Georgia Barton and Isabelle Hannah).

Since the play is about families, it’s only fitting that the cast contain a familial bent. Lisa Hatmaker is a veteran Knoxville performer who is playing Ramona’s teacher Mrs. Griggs. Lisa is Samantha Hatmaker’s mother. Houston Daugherty is making his CTK debut as Mr. Quimby, and he is the father of English Daugherty. Wade Houston is playing the millionaire Hobart Kemp, and his daughter Madison also appears in the play. And two sets of brothers and sisters are in the cast: Amber and Zachary Hull, and twins Bethany and Wheeler Moon.
CTK is privileged to have three additional successful veteran adult actors in the
cast: Rachel Jae (playing Mrs. Quimby), Jacqueline Nunweiler (playing Aunt
Bea)
and Janice Stanton (playing Next-door-neighbor Mrs. Kemp).

The play is directed by Zack Allen, CTK’s Executive Director. Wade Austin is the show’s scenic designer, and Jamie Jensen is the backdrop artist. Josh Beach is the production’s lighting designer, and Amie Dyer will provide the costumes.

LOCATION
The play is being performed at CTK’s theatre facility in downtown Knoxville, located at 800 Tyson Street. Heading north from downtown on Broadway, Tyson Street turns left (west) just past Old Gray Cemetery. Tyson Street is between the traffic lights on Broadway at Fifth Avenue and Central Avenue, and is directly across the street from historic Emory Place. The theatre is about 300 feet down Tyson Street, immediately next door to Dixie Kitchens. The CTK sign is visible from Broadway, looking down Tyson Street.
The play is made possible through the support of UT Surgical Associates, Schaad Companies, Kersey Family Care, and Knology.

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CAST OF “CURIOSITY CAT” ANNOUNCED; PLAY WILL BE WORLD-PREMIERE BY RENOWNED AUTHOR CHRIS GRABENSTEIN

CTK will produce the world premiere of “Curiosity Cat,” which was penned specifically our company by UT alum Chris Grabenstein, whose mysteries have earned him the Anthony Award and the Agatha Award, and whose books for young readers have inspired countless readers across the United States.

The title role of Curiosity Cat will be played by 13-year-old (and CTK veteran) Alex Drinnen. Alex was last seen in “The Hobbit”
as one-half of the twin duo Fili and Kili. Marianne Dodson will play the roles of Aunt Ginny and Mrs. Podger, while Sean Sloas will Also play dual roles: Slicker and Tubbs. Others returning to play roles for CTK are Caroline Dyer, Blair Johnson, Will White, Kellen Gifford, and Juliana Pulsinelli.

Eight actors will make their CTK debut in this prestigious premiere.
Cody Chaffins, Caelin Cole, George Cooper, Reed Cooper, Kira Cupp, Charles Fisher, Rachel Hopkins, and Lydia Pulsinelli will be participating in their first CTK show.

“Curiosity Cat” will open on April 9 and play weekends through April 24, with Thursday and Friday shows at 7 PM, Saturday performances at 3 and 7 PM, and Sunday shows at 3 PM.

The play will be directed by Jenny Ballard, with Ashlee Latimer serving as Assistant Director. Susan Kemppainen is the play’s stage manager, with Kiernan Bensey assisting. Kenneth Mayfield will serve as Scenic Designer, and Elizabeth Davis will provide the costumes. “Curiosity Cat” is sponsored by UT Surgical Asso- Ciates, Schaad Companies, Kersey Family Care, Comcast, and Knology.
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SPRING TERM OF CLASSES TO BEGIN MARCH 13; SEATS STILL REMAINING IN ALL CLASSES AT PRESS TIME

CTK is now accepting students for our Spring 2010 creative dramatics classes. To reserve a seat in any class, call (865) 567-1522, or e-mail Jenny Ballard at jenny@childrenstheatreknoxville.com .
A non-refundable payment of 50% of class fee is expected upon reservation. Students are seated on a first-paid, first-seated basis.
All classes take place at our theatre facility at 800 Tyson Street in downtown Knoxville. In Spring Term, all classes skip one week to accommodate Knox County Spring Break and Easter weekend.

Spring Term 2010 Classes are:

“YOU‘RE MAKING A SCENE!” for ages 6 to 10 Saturday mornings from 10 AM to 11:30 AM Five weeks: March 13, 20, 27 April 10 & 17

Instructor Caroline King teaches this character work class for ages 6 to 10. Students will concentrate on understanding how to create an appropriate character for a particular scene.
Focus will be on sustaining emotion and action throughout an entire scene. Games and exercises will be used to emphasize creativity. This class begins on Saturday, March 13 and continues for the following three Saturdays, then omits the Saturday of Knox County Spring Break (Easter Weekend) and resumes for two additional Saturdays. Classes take place from 10 AM to 11:30 AM. The instruction fee for the 7.5 hour workshop is $150.
Class size is limited to twenty students maximum.


“CHARACTER FACTORY” for ages 11 to 15
Saturday mornings from 10 AM to 11:30 AM
Five weeks: Mar. 13, 20, 27 April 10 & 17

CTK Artistic Director Jenny Ballard will teach this class for
ages 11 to 15. This class emphasizes the essence of acting: how
to create a believable, credible character in comic and dramatic
scenes and monologues. Students learn practical ways to “invent,“
“assemble,“ and “engineer” character development. This class
begins on Saturday, March 13 and continues for the following three
Saturdays, then omit’s the Saturday of Knox County Spring Break
(Easter Weekend) and resumes for two additional Saturdays.
Classes take place from 10 AM to 11:30 AM. The instruction fee
for the 10 hour workshop is $150. Class size is limited to sixteen
students maximum.


“AUDITIONING FOR A PLAY” for ages 6 to 10
Mondays after-school from 4:30 PM to 6 PM
Five weeks: March 15, 22; April 5, 12 & 19

CTK Artistic Director Jenny Ballard teaches this class which
focuses on improving an actor’s ability to audition for a
play, by preparing him or her for the event through instruction
on selection and performance of monologues, improvement of
volume and diction. This class begins on Monday, March 15 and continues
on the following Monday. After a week hiatus, class resumes April 5,
12 & 19. Classes take place from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM.
The instruction fee for the 7.5 hour workshop is $150. Class size is
limited to twelve students maximum.


IMAGI-STAGE WORKSHOP for ages 13 to 18
Tuesdays after-school from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Five weeks: March 16, 23; Apr. 6, 13 & 20

CTK Exec Director Zack Allen teaches this class, which centers
on teaching how to deal with a play script and how to bring it to
life through performance skills. The class emphasizes practical
work on a script. Students memorize lines and perfect acting
technique in order to perform for family and friends on the final
day of class. This class begins on Tuesday, March 16 and continues
on the following Tuesday. After a week hiatus, class resumes April 6,
13 & 20. The instruction fee for the 7.5 hour workshop is $150
Class size is limited to eight students maximum.


“INTRODUCTION TO DIRECTING” for ages 14 to 18
Wednesdays after-school from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Five weeks: March 17, 24; April 7, 14 & 21

Zack Allen (director of 8 previous CTK shows) teaches
this class, which introduces students to the fundamental
precepts of directing. Students will function as
director for scenes and as actor in the student-directed scenes,
experiencing and offering feedback on both sides of the
directing process. Budding stage directors learn a practical
checklist to follow to improve scenework by participants.
Student time is split between classroom work and hands-on
acting and directing. This class begins Wednesday, March
17 and continues on the following Wednesday. Class resumes
on Wednesday, April 7, 14 & 20. Class size is limited to six
students, all of whom must have prior theatre experience. The
cost of the class is $200.

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CTK SETS DATES FOR ANNUAL CREATIVE DRAMATICS
SUMMER CAMPS

CTK will hold our annual summer camps in creative dramatics
during June and July 2010. This year, there are three camps to
choose from, for a variety of age groups.

CAMP ONE will be a MUSICAL THEATRE CAMP, taught
by CTK instructor (and drama teacher at Sacred Heart Cathedral
School) Caroline King. This camp will emphasize vocal coaching
and choreography skills-building and will be held from 1 PM to
4 PM, from June 14 through 18 at CTK’s theatre facility at 800
Tyson Street. For ages 11 to 17.

CAMP TWO will be a TEENAGER’S WORKSHOP CAMP,
where students will build skills in script analysis and character
creation while working on a short playscript. This camp will be
held from 1 PM to 4 PM, from June 21 through 25 at CTK’s
theatre facility at 800 Tyson Street. Camp Two will be taught
by CTK Exec Director Zack Allen. For ages 13 to 17.

CAMP THREE will be an ELEMENTARY ACTING CAMP,
which teaches basic acting skills through exercises and games,
resulting in a simple recipe approach to the creation of characters.
This camp will be held from 1 PM to 4 PM, from July 26 through
30 at CTK’s theatre facility at 800 Tyson Street. Camp Three will
be taught by CTK Artistic Director Jenny Ballard. For ages 6 to 10.

The fee for any theatre camp is $230. To reserve a spot in any
camp, or more information, call Jenny Ballard at (865) 567-1522,
or e-mail jenny@childrenstheatreknoxville.com . A 50% deposit ($115)
is required at the time of registration. Students are seated in each
camp on a first-paid, first-seated basis.
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VOTE FOR CTK IN WTNZ’S “HOT LIST” CONTEST FOR
BEST LOCAL THEATRE GROUP!

CTK holds a slim 2% lead in WTNZ’s “Hot List” contest
for Best Local Theatre Group at press time! Please
consider voting for us on WTNZ’s website. Voting is
free and simple. To vote, simply log onto:
http://www.wtnzfox43.com . Follow the Hot List
link at the top of the page to begin voting. Help us
defend our 2009 Best Local Theatre Group title, and
good luck to all the theatre groups on the list!
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OVER 750 ATTEND “THE HOBBIT” IN FEBRUARY

Thanks to all who attended “The Hobbit” in February!
Somehow the dwarves and their wise wizard companion
managed to avoid the mighty Knoxville snow drifts
as well as the dragons in their path! The wonderful
turnout was especially meaningful, since this was the
culmination of Ashlee Latimer’s year-long technical
residency with CTK. At only 18 years of age, she
created a funny, spooky and memorable play in her
directoral debut. Kudos are also due to the cast, all of
whom truly seemed motivated to make their young
director’s play such a success. We hope you will come
back for a hearty laugh with “Ramona Quimby!”
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