Monday, we hit the ground running. Up at 7 am, auditions started at 9 am. We arrived at Pearl Studios to find the nicest of young men from Actor’s Equity helping us out. George was great. We saw about 10 people every 20 minutes…..for a total of just over 100 people on day one of EPA’s (Equity Principle Actors for those who might not know). We saw actors for all our remaining 2019 season shows (Tell Me on a Sunday, Mamma Mia!, Barefoot in the Park, Tiny Beautiful Things).
With the initial auditions wrapping at 5 pm – former LDTC performer Jessica Ice (2016’s Cabaret), took over for our dance call. She put the group through a rigorous callback with a song from Mamma Mia!. Man was that room sweaty after she was done….but everyone had a great time and we all saw some really great movement.
At 5:45 we were a wrap for Day One (of auditions, that is). Off to Dinner with the Producers…..a nice quiet dinner at The Striphouse on 44th street.
We caught the 8 pm showing of the 2013 Tony Award Winning Best Musical – Kinky Boots. Josh and I had been avoiding this show for a few years – not for any specific reason – other than it just wasn’t ever a priority for us. The cast was stellar – Callum Francis was astonishing (not to mention BEAUTIFUL) as Lola. The group had a really great time. Despite the title, Kinky Boots is a great family show with a wonderful message!
We wrapped at 11:15 pm with drinks at Bourbon Street and decompressing about the day.
Today was another day of catching some theatre, greeting Producer arrivals and checking out what one of the premiere performing arts schools puts on their stage.
Josh Blanchard, started the day with a half marathon race in Central Park. Top 5% finish.
Let’s start with Choir Boy playing at the Friedman Theatre – home to the Manhattan Theatre Club. This piece was written by Tarell Alvin McCraney (Oscar Winner for Moonlight). Wow! What an engaging, beautiful, touching, and technically masterfully directed, performed, and produced piece of theatre. From the opening moments of the show, one was leaning in. It was nuanced, fluid, and spectacularly executed.
After the show, we met up with the Producers at Joe Allen’s. It was great to sit and prepare everyone for the busy week that is about to follow. We even got a visit from Brittany Jeffery and Lincoln.
Tonight Josh and I saw Red Speedo by Lucas Hnath at The Juilliard School. This was an opportunity for us to see “what is all the fuss” about Juilliard. :-). A pretty fascinating facility with lots of activity going on in and around the building. They did a nice job.
Each year (a couple times, actually), the LDTC heads to NYC with a couple of goals. Casting, development, and industry knowledge…..meaning, we come to the Big Apple to cast most of our shows, we provide an educational experience for Patrons wanting to experience shows in The City, and staff attends conferences for professional development and sees shows to help “stay up” on the business of theatre in the country.
And, here we are again. Josh Blanchard (Executive Director), Kevin Carson (Production/Company Manager) and myself (Artistic Director – Chris Alleman) have begun arriving. This trip we also have joining us – three Producers. What is a producer for the LDTC, you ask? Well, for the past few years, a certain select number of patrons have joined us (for a certain sized contribution to the LDTC) for our auditions in NYC. Meaning, they are with the staff in the audition room and witness the “ins and outs” of the LDTC auditions – including initial audition call, dance callbacks and show specific callbacks. We also take the producers to 4 significant shows in the city (Broadway or Off-Broadway) plus have intimate conversations about the casting process. Dinners, too.
The producers this year are Peg and Lee Henry and Jon Kirkpatrick….but more on them later – when they arrive on Sunday.
Josh and I will be seeing a total of 12 shows while we are here. During the next week, follow the experiences of the staff, producers, and auditionees as we share the journeys of all involved.
Day 1 – Saturday, February 23, 2019.
Arrival in the city and the hotel. We won’t bore you with that. Travel is travel. However, we are staying at a really great boutique Hotel on Restaurant Row – The French Quarters – we’ve stayed there numerous times and their team is amazing.
The first show we attended was Seawall/A Life at The Public Theatre on Lafayette street. The Public is one of the more distinguished regional theatres in the City (and country). They produce new works and many go on to a life far beyond their walls….think Hamilton.
Seawall/A Life is two one-act monologues dealing with life and death. Performed wonderfully by Tom Sturridge (Seawall) and Jake Gyllenhaal (As Life). The house was full and so were the performances.
Another cool thing we saw was this (see below) selfie station in the lobby. Tons of people used it. Who’d like to see something like this at the LDTC?
The New Year is upon us, and the LDTC is gearing up for our 2019 season. The New Year is full of potential, and we are excited to deliver on some very exciting happenings from past favorites to new programs, 2019 will be a big year at the Lake Dillon Theatre Company.
1. It’s our 25th Anniversary!
Yes, it has been 25 years since the LDTC opened its doors as a small community theatre in Dillon. Since then we’ve expanded from a staff of one to a team of 10. We’ve produced hundreds of productions, including Kiss of the Spider Woman, Big River, Sister Act: The Musical, and so many more. Want to take a walk down memory lane? Or maybe just learn more about our history? Buy tickets to our 25th Anniversary Cabaret January 31 – February 3, 2019. Tickets are on sale now!
2. The Season to be Connected
After 25 years you are definitely connected to your community. This season we will celebrate that connection. You can expect musicals including Mamma Mia!and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tell Me on a Sunday. Comedies including The Cakeand Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, and a few heartfelt stories including Every Brilliant Thingand Tiny Beautiful Things. Each show this season will connect us to the ones we love, our differences, our pasts, and our futures. Individual show tickets will be on sale soon, or purchase your season subscription today!
3. Specialty Nights
New this season are Specialty Nights an initiative designed to bring our patrons together as a community to enjoy some of Summit County’s finest food, drink and live music, all before taking in an exciting production at the Lake Dillon Theatre Company. Specialty Nights will begin 90 minutes before a show’s start time and will be held in the lobby of the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center. Check out all of the Specialty Nights the LDTC has to offer!
4. Cabarets, Cabarets, and more Cabarets
This year we begin our season with the 25th Anniversary Cabaret, but we are excited to announce this year’s line up includes 2 Signature Cabarets in May and November, 4 Summer Sunday Cabarets throughout July and the first Sunday of August, and of course our Signature Holiday Celebration, Holiday Follies. Tickets for all Cabarets will be on sale soon don’t forget to purchase your tickets for the 25th Anniversary Cabaret!
5. Theatre for Young Audiences
Another addition to our 25th Anniversary Season is our family friendly production Polkadots: the Cool Kids Musical. This fun and brightly colored musical will take place on select afternoons this summer. Tickets are $5.00 each or $20 for families of four or more! General Admission Tickets will be for sale at the box office on the day of the performance. Read more about Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical.
6. More Youth Theatre Offerings
This year we are excited to offer our most extensive variety of youth theatre classes, camps, and workshops. Starting this Spring, the LDTC Youth Theatre Program will provide 12 different Summer & Production Camps. Summer Camps are one-week camps that focus on one area of theatre, from singing, dance, and acting. With the new additions are the ever popular Youth Theatre Workshops, this year’s offerings include James and the Giant Peach Jr., Disney’s The Aristocats KIDS, and Guys & Dolls Jr. See all of our 2019 youth offerings or Enroll today!
7. Additional Adult Education
The LDTC is proud of our Adult Education Programs. This year you can still expect to pull back the curtain during Page to Stage, read and discuss a variety of plays in Play Club, discuss issues in arts today with experts and professionals in the field during Panel Discussions, and come early and stay late for our Prologues and Epilogues at every show. New this year adults can sign up for Introduction to Acting as well as Introduction to Playwriting.
8. Quality, Impact, Integrity, Intimacy, &, Diversity of Programming
Our values are important to us and will come with us to the new year. No matter what show you come to see, the educational program you or your children take part in we will always keep these values at the forefront.
9. Season Subscriptions
As always you can purchase tickets for every show and keep your wallet happy with a Season Subscription. This year we have a few new offerings, and if you purchase by January 31, you will get a complimentary beverage card.
10. Celebrations
There are so many reasons to celebrate this year. It’s our second full season in the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center. It’s our 25th Anniversary Season. Our season includes challenging, beautiful, and musical productions. We hope you will celebrate this year with us at a Specialty Night, a youth performance, cabaret, or theatre production. We’ll have a seat waiting for you.
What are you most excited about working at the LDTC?
I am most excited about creating opportunities for our community to interact with our productions— whether through Panel Discussions, our Prologue & Epilogue series, or our yearly trips to New York City— we are always looking for opportunities for our audience members to get the most out of their experience seeing a production at LDTC.
What do you love most about Summit County?
I love the laid-back energy of living in a mountain town. It takes me 10 minutes to run an errand instead of the 60+ minutes it would take me in Chicago.
What kind of activities do you participate in Summit County?
I love hiking and fishing— I’m also looking for a basketball or kickball league to join— so let me know if you need another teammate!
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Why theatre?
Theatre is the best way I have found to communicate universal truths about what it is to be human— the good, the bad, the funny, the chaotic. Theatre can change hearts & minds, raise powerful questions, and create empathy for cultures and individuals we may not have previously encountered— something the world could sorely use right now.
What do you think will be the most challenging and rewarding thing about your new position?
The most challenging & rewarding aspect of my position will be wearing ‘multiple hats’ and making sure I know when to be a teacher, a leader, or a student. I look forward to teaching the awesome young people of Summit County about the amazing power of theatre and seeing what we can create together!
1. What are you most excited about working at the LDTC?
I love theatre, I love being on stage, I love sitting in an audience, but most of all I love the people I’ve met through theatre. One of my biggest goals is to market for I am so excited to use my skills as a marketer to help spread the word about one of my favorite things.
2. What do you love most about Summit County?
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I love that I am so close to all kinds of outdoor adventure. I moved here from the Black Hills of South Dakota, and outdoor culture is in my blood. I am so excited to run some trails and learn to ski.
3. What kind of activities do you participate in Summit County?
I am a runner, so I live on the trails. My goal is to run a Marathon before my 26th birthday, and this area is the best place to train. Beyond running, I grew up with a love of the outdoors, thanks, dad. I love hiking, and just being outside. I also have two dogs who both need to get out and enjoy hiking and running as much as I do.
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4. Why theatre?
There are so many reasons. I grew up watching classics like Singing in the Rain, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and even silent Charlie Chaplin films. I was often found feeding chickens singing songs like ‘Make em’ Laugh’ or ‘Just You Wait’. I discovered theatre in college and fell in love. Suddenly, I was surrounded by people who accepted me for who I was and helped me to become a better person. Theatre has taught me to take an in-depth look at myself and become the best version of myself.
5. What do you think will be the most challenging and rewarding thing about your new position?
I think being in the marketing world of any organization is challenging, but it is what attracted me to this profession in the first place. I am so excited to be a part of a growing organization and use my expertise to help in the process.
1. What are you most excited about working at the LDTC?
How do I choose? I suppose having a degree in Theatre, getting back to my roots in the Arts is what I look forward to the most. Even if I am not back on stage, just being in the environment gives me a sense of pure joy. I have to add that the community aspect of the Theatre is hard to ignore. We provide such an amazing experience for all ages, it’s hard not to be excited about that….okay one more, this Team is amazing. I genuinely enjoy coming to work everyday knowing I’ll be among some of the best people around.
2. What do you love most about Summit County?
Look Outside, we live in paradise! I love that while Summit County is a popular vacation destination, we are still small….ultimately I have to admit the people are what I love the most. I swear I make a new friend everyday!….which is super easy to do with all of the events, festivals and amenities around town.
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3. What kind of activities do you participate in Summit County?
My favorite things to do are hike and trail run with my dogs. There are so many amazing trails to explore up here, finding new and beautiful places with my four legged kids makes for a fantastic day. I am a big fan of winter (good thing) so try to take advantage of as many winter activities as I can, though I am looking forward to putting together my garden, BBQ season, and of course paddle boarding on the reservoir this summer.
4. Why theatre?
I was practically born on the stage (thanks mom). I have never had a feeling in my lifetime like looking out at an audience seeing, hearing, and feeling their reactions. There is something about being able to sit in a seat and be taken to a place you had no idea existed. To be able to connect with the actors on the stage – be moved by a simple phrase, a look, a song, or a dance move – it’s like nothing else in the world. It’s a gift.
5. What do you think will be the most challenging and rewarding thing about your new position?
I love the fact that I get to marry my two lives together. I spent the first half of my life on stage and the second in the business world. I am so fortunate to have been given the opportunity to be in an environment that I thrive in, utilizing the skills I have worked so hard to perfect. My biggest challenge besides the desire to be the best I can be for this Company and our community (seriously), will be not singing along during rehearsals and performances!
1. What are you most excited about working at the LDTC?
I have been hoping to work for the LDTC full time since I first worked for the theater in 2014 as a summer company member. In theater today, it is so rare to find a theater that is still doing its best to tell stories that truly matter. The Lake Dillon Theatre strives to bring incredible stories to life. So I’m thrilled to be a part of a company that’s committed to producing quality, entertaining theater, that has the ability shape our view on the world.
2. What do you love most about Summit County?
What’s not to love!? Being an outdoor enthusiast myself, I’m so happy to have mountains right in my backyard! In addition to that. I’m glad to have found a community that cares so much about the things I care about — community involvement, diversity, sustainability, the list goes on and on!
3. What kind of activities do you participate in Summit County?
When It’s cold out, I enjoy taking my husky- Bandit on long skins in my backyard. When it’s a little warmer you can typically find me floating down various rivers on my stand up paddle board, and all year long you can find me in my favorite yoga studio, peak yoga.
4. Why theatre?
How can I not love a life that provides me with endless stories from all walks of life? I grew up in an multi-ethnic household, and with it came a varied history rich in tales from all over. Since then, I have always been fascinated with people who had different stories as myself, and working in theater provides me with that everyday.
5. What do you think will be the most challenging and rewarding thing about your new position?
I wouldn’t necessarily call it a challenge, but it will definitely be a different perspective to let my performing take a backseat at a theatre that has been my performance “home” for 4 years. No need to worry — I won’t be off the stage forever 🙂 But I also think that’s what excites me most about this change as well. I’m looking forward to lending my other skills in theater production to the theater that has held my heart for such a long time.
