There is a lot happening at ACT this month!

There is a lot happening back stage at ACT this week.  On Jan 30th Tap Classes with Amy McCarthy begin.  You can register online at the act website www.actandover.com under the classes tab.  In February (just a few days away)  we have Dance Fit with Amy Wilkins Blanchette Here is a little more info about Dance Fit (The class will consist of warms up, across the floor and/or center aerobics, and various styles of choreography.  Warm ups will be plies, a lot of stretching, laterals, and isolations followed by sit ups, push-ups and triceps dips.  The choreography section will be the most challenging for non-dancers.  The warm up section will not be hard in terms of dance ability, but may be physically challenging.)  And then we have auditions for 42nd Street!  Feb 7th and 8th 
Auditions for the musical 42nd Street with book by Michael Stewart and MarkBramble, lyrics by Al Dubin, and music by Harry Warren.  Auditioning for allroles.  42nd Street 42nd Street tells the story of a humble, naïve youngactress named Peggy Sawyer who has come to audition for a new Broadway musicalDirected by Julian Marsh and starring Dorothy Brock.  In a twist of fate theyoung actress Peggy has 36 hours to learn the show to take over for the starthat just broke her ankle.  Directed by Charles Gracy, Choreographer BethKennedy, Music Director Mark Mercer. For more information visitwww.actandover.com or email charlesgracy@actandover.com  978-476-1138MORE INFO: http://www.actandover.com E-MAIL TO: theater@actandover.com  Don't miss out of all the exciting things happening at ACT this month!

Seasons Greetings from The Trailer Park

The Great American Trailer Park Musical   Looking for that perfect last minute present that is just so super classy and special.  Treat 'em to an evening at the trailer park...The Great American Trailer Park Musical that is.  January 20-21.  This special production is offered as musical dinner theater and will have you rolling in the aisle with laughter.  So bring the whole family (as long as they aint younger than 18 'cause we have some very adult themes, language and humor at Armadillo Acres - Florida's Finest Manufactured Home Community) Seating is limited and first come first serve.  Call today 978-276-9568 to reserve your table or reserve online atwww.actandover.com   DINNER THEATER $47.50  includes dinner and the show cash bar available The Great American Trailer Park Musical Music & Lyrics by David Nehls Book by Betsy Kelso Director: Charles Gracy Music Director:  Mark Mercer Choreographer:  Beth Kennedy The Cast: Cara Marie Kennedy, Susan Hawes, Caitlin Hawes, Jamie Cook, Nick Kalantzakos Jr., Mark Gracy and Linda Lee Scali   There's a new tenant at Armadillo Acres - and she's wreaking havoc all over North Florida's most exclusive trailer park. When Pippi, the stripper on the run, comes between the Dr. Phil-loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her tollbooth collector husband - the storms begin to brew. NOTE: This play contains adult themes and language and is not suitable for persons under 18 years of age. No one under 18 admitted unless accompanied by a parent.

ACT Vault is live - Archived shows from past seasons

Andover MA - Andover Theater Company - The ACT Vault is live and contains photos and videos of shows from past seasons.  Check it out at http://web.me.com/markgracy/The_ACT_Vault_-_Past_Shows/Welcome.html or by visiting the ACT Vault at our main website www.actandover.com.

Announcing the cast of ANNIE

ACT Announces the talented cast of ANNIE - Congratulations everyone!

Join us in October at The Rogers Center for the Arts for this show!  Tickets on sale this week at http://www.actandover.com  or by calling 978-276-9568

THE CAST OF ANNIE

Annie – Maggie Budzyna & Mia Campbell

Rooster – Michael Buckhout

Lily – Jen Armstrong

Hannigan – Linda Lee & Cara Marie Kennedy

Bundles – Tom Aylward

Lt. Ward – Stan Swieck

Warbucks – Mark Gracy

Grace – Kimberly Hall

Drake – Armando Belliard

Mrs. Pugh – Sue Hawes

Mrs. Greer – Brenda Pothier

Annette – Kelsey Salois

Cecille - Deena Varitimos

Cabinet

FDR – Tom Aylward

Cordell Hull – Peter Anton

Frances Perkins – Abbie Sawyer

Harold Ickes – Stan Swieck

Henry Morganthau – Steve Knepper

Kalternborn – Mimi Pare

Louis Howe – Nick Kalantzakos Sr.

Radio Show

Bert Healy – Peter Anton

Wacky – Louis DePalma

Radio Announcer – Mark Mercer

Sound Effects Person – Jennifer Streck

Jimmy Johnson, Masked Radio – Armando Belliard

Fred McCracken – Stan Swieck

Wacky – Louie DePalma

Producer – Tom Aylward

Boylan Sisters – Sue Hawes, Brenda Pothier, Abbie Sawyer

Hooverville People

Eddie – Robb Moylan

Sophie – Abbie Sawyer

Kim Cook

Laura Dike

Jennifer Streck

Tom Aylward

Lisa Jones

Peter Anton

Melissa Belliard

Apple Seller – Francis Young

NYC People

Star to Be – Gabrielle Corsino

Usherette – Alyssa Jean

Kid – Adam Lavoie

Cop – Robb Moylan

Justice Brandeis – Steve Knepper

Speaking Orphans

July - Julianne Teichert & Hannah Carroll

Duffy - Sasha Dubinsky & Cecilia Cipullo

Pepper - Julia Talbot & Emilee Clapp

Kate - Dierdre O’Rourke & Lilly Armstrong

Tessie - Sophia Barbato & Yelaina Anton

Holly - Emma Harris & Talia Cutulle

Senior Orphans

Young Boylan Sisters - Kristina Day, Elizabeth Day, Taylor Day

Young Bert Healey - Max Currie & Patrick Creedon

Dylan Knepper

Kira Lavoie

Adam Lavoie

Emily Anton

Andrew Jones

Grace Nowak

Kaleigh Stuart

Abigail Daggett

Theresa Zannoni

Kellie Herbert

Courtney Campbell

Julianne Mercado

Hannah Leinbach

Sarah Leinbach

Junior Orphans

Molly - Brita Martin, Sophia Wulsin, Catherine Armstrong & Cassidy Sodowski

Louie DePalma

Ellie Nowak

Allie Columbus

Innana Shannon

Tessa Barcelo

Farrah Sousa

Sarah Leinbach Jessie Miller

Katie Morris

Adult Ensemble

Allie Reed

Heidi Knepper

Lauren Page

Jenna Beauchesne

Hannah Byron

Alina Chatsman

Stephie Knepper

Les Miserables - SE at the Rogers Center AUG 4-7

Andover MA

Can you hear the people sing? Boublil & Schönberg's legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES comes to the Andovers August 4-7th at The Rogers Center for The Arts. This Cameron Macintosh musical Based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel of the same name is set in early 19th-century France. The plot follows the stories of many characters as they struggle for redemption and revolution. LES MISÉRABLES is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs "I Dreamed a Dream," "On My Own," "Stars," "Bring Him Home," "Do You Hear the People Sing?," "One Day More," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," "Master Of The House" The students have been in rehearsal at the ACTjr Theatrical Summer Camp for 3 weeks. Each morning the student rotate through classes in music and vocal training, dance and drama training and in the afternoon rehearse the musical LES MISÉRABLES Student Edition. This fourth week is tech week at the Rogers Center for the Arts where they rehearse in full costume, with the set and lights and special effects and a full orchestra at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College. They will be performing LES MISÉRABLES Student Edition this weekend Thursday 7pm Saturday 2pm and 7pm and Sunday at 2pm at the Rogers Center for the Arts. The 40 children in the program range from grades 6-12. Most of the students are Andover and North Andover residents with a few camp participants from surrounding areas. Camp teachers are Charles Gracy - Artistic Director for ACT Andover and drama teacher at Brooks School in North Andover, Mark Mercer - Music Director and music teacher for Andover Public Schools, Brenda Pothier - Choreographer, Cara Kennedy - Producer and long time Andover resident. ACT Executive Producer - Mark Gracy - Andover real estate agent.
This is a phenomenally talented cast and the show will be unforgettable. Don't miss out! Tickets are on sale now at www.ACTandover.com and will also be available at the door of the Rogers Center for the Arts 1 hour before show times.
Andover Residents in the cast
Madelyn Brouillard, Rebecca Cheng, Iris Choo, Emilee Clapp, Graham Cook, Kiley Corcoran, Maria Cortner, Max Currie, Lilly Daigle, Conner Dwyer, Suzanne Egertson, Summer Erickson, Erin Hanrahan, Alex Hanscom, Bobby Hawes, Caitlyn Hawes, Emma Johnson, Nick Kalentzakos Jr, Theo Kalentzakos, Stephanie Knepper, Carter Letsky, Maci Letsky, Emily Lin, Michelle Lin, Alison McCarron, Coner Meehan, Erica Nork, Eileen O’Farrell, Tiernan O’Rourke, Lydia Ouelette, Evan Pantely, Sam Pond, Nicholas Renton, Nicholas Solomini, Daniele Webber, and Emily Wivell.

Andover Summer Theater Arts Education Program to perform Les Miserables

Andover, MA- This summer while many young people are taking the summer off 40 boys and girls from Andover and surrounding communities are participating in a Summer Theater Arts intensive program and will be performing the musical Les Miserables at The Rogers Center for the Arts in North Andover August 4th - August 7th. The summer program is produced by ACT - Andover Theater Company and it's Artistic Director, Charles Gracy. The program includes morning classes in Acting, Music and Dance taught by professional instructors. Charles Gracy is the Director of the program and is the Drama Teacher at Brooks Private School in North Andover, MA. Mark Mercer is the Music Director and is a Music Teacher in Andover, MA, Brenda Pothier is the Choreographer and Dancer Teacher for the program and Cara Kennedy is the program Producer. The program culminates with performances of the musical Les Miserables at The Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College in North Andover August 4th - August 7th. Tickets for Les Miserables are on sale now at ACT Theater Website or by calling the box office at 978-276-9568.
A list of the talented students participating in the program can be found on the theater company website.

Les Miserables
Student Edition
at the Rogers Center for the Arts at Merrimack College
August 4th thru August 7th

LES MISERABLES SCHOOL EDITION
A musical by ALAIN BOUBLIN and CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHONBERG
Based on a novel by VICTOR HUGO
Music by CLAUDE-MICHEL SCHONBERG
Lyrics by HERBERT KRETZMER
Original French text by ALAIN BOUBLIL and JEAN-MARC NATEL
Additional material by JAMES FENTON
Orchestrations by JOHN CAMERON
Original London production produced by
CAMERON MACINTOSH and THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
School Edition specially adapted and licensed by
MUSIC THEATER INTERNATIONAL and CAMERON MACKINTOSH


Director - Charles Gracy
Music Director - Mark Mercer
Choreographer - Brenda Pothier
Producer - Cara Kennedy
ACT Artistic Director: Charles Gracy ACT Executive Producer: Mark Gracy

DIVAS dinner theater at the Indian Ridge Country Club

Andover, MA ACT presents DIVAS Dinner Cabaret at the Indian Ridge Country ClubThere are still tickets available for Friday night July 22nd dinner cabaret at the Indian Ridge Country Club in Andover, Massachusetts.
DIVAS is a summer dinner cabaret produced every year by ACT Andover Theater Company. This summers show features musical arrangements inspired by the DIVAS of stage, screen, radio and television. Come join the talented cast of DIVAS for an evening of dinner and fabulous entertainment. Tickets are $45 and include a 3 course dinner and the show! Call today (978) 276-9568 or visit the ACT Theater Website
Tickets are not available at the door and there are only a few tables left. Call or visit the website today.

Annie Auditions

Andover / North Andover MA - Auditions Announced for One of Broadway’s Most Beloved Musicals ANNIE at The Rogers Center for the Arts
Adults and Children needed for this great cast. This is a great show for the whole family. ACT Visit The ACT Theater Website

Audition Dates: Children Sunday August 14th 2-6 pm at the Center for Performing Arts 1820 Turnpike Street N Andover
Adults Auditions Monday August 15-16 7-10pm The ACT Space 250 Canal Street Lawrence MA

Rehearsals Start Thursday August 18th (read thru)
Rehearsals will be Sunday 2-7pm and Tues and Thurs 7-930pm
You will be called for specific rehearsal times (not every rehearsal)


Here is a list of some of the available roles:

Character Breakdown
ANNETTE- A French Maid

ANNIE- Spunky, friendly, big-voiced, street-wise urchin--one of the orphans 11 years old Mezzo-Soprano: A - high F

BERT HEALY - Radio Personality

BOYLAN Sisters: Bonnie, Connie, Ronnie - Singing sisters, perform on "Oxydent's Hour of Smiles" radio program

BUNDLES McCLOSKEY- The Laundryman

CECILLE,- A French Maid

CORDELL HULL-Male Cabinet member

DRAKE-Warbucks's English Butler

DUFFY-The biggest orphan 13 years old

FDR, the President Baritone (C-flat - E-sharp)

FRANCIS PERKINS-Female Cabinet member

FRED McCRACKEN-Radio Personality

GRACE FARRELL-Faithful Assistant to Warbucks Soprano: A - high G

HAROLD ICKES-Male Cabinet member

HENRY MONRGENTHAU-Male Cabinet member

JULY-The quietest orphan 13 years old

KATE-The next to littlest orphan 7 years old

LILY-Rooster's floozy girlfriend Soprano: D - high G

LOUIS HOWE-Associate to Roosevelt

MISS HANNIGAN-Cantankerous and mean old orphanage director Mezzo-Soprano: A - A flat

MOLLY-The littlest orphan 6 years old

MRS. GREER-The Housekeeper

MRS. PUGH-The Cook

OLIVER WARBUCKS-Warm-hearted, stiff-collared host to Annie for 2 weeks at Christmas Baritone: C - high F

PEPPER-The toughest orphan 12 years old

ROOSEVELT CABINET MEMBERS-Francis Perkins, Cordell Hull, Harold Ickes, Henry Morganthau

ROOSTER-Miss Hannigan's no-good brother Baritone: B - high G

TESSIE-The cry baby orphan 10 years old

WACKY- Radio Personality

Questions?
Call 978-476-1138 or email charlesgracy@actandover.com

Director: Charles Gracy Choreographer: Beth Kennedy Music Director: Mark Mercer

Performed by license with MTI at The Rogers Center for Arts North Andover

Arts in Education Program

May 2, 2011

With a recent budget victory, high visibility on Capitol Hill, and three new arts education reports being released, arts education advocates are gathering momentum to impact education policy nationally.

On April 15, Congress and the president approved the FY 2011 appropriations bill which included restoration of the federal Arts In Education program – the only education program to be restored from being cut or terminated earlier in the year. This is a huge victory! This was directly following a successful grassroots advocacy campaign by 550 advocates from across the country who joined actors Alec Baldwin, Hill Harper, Kerry Washington, and Kevin Spacey during the national Arts Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill to support the arts and arts education.

Last week, Americans for the Arts published its National Arts Policy Roundtable final report which captures the recommendations from an event co-convened at the Sundance Preserve by President and CEO of Americans for the Arts Robert L. Lynch, and Robert Redford, founder of the Sundance Institute. Officials from both the U.S. Department of Education and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities participated in the National Arts Policy Roundtable. The report identifies four key recommendations, including the need for increased research, strong public policy support, and better casemaking efforts from the field.

These recommendations arrive at an important time. The chairmen of the House and Senate education committees in Congress have promised action soon on the reauthorization of the Elementary & Secondary Education Act (also known as No Child Left Behind). Most immediately, the need for increased federal research cited in the National Arts Policy Roundtable recommendations will be answered, in part, by two new federal studies being released this week:

Today, the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics is releasing the preview of a study on the national status and condition of arts education -- it has been almost a decade since the last one was published! The full study is scheduled to be released by the end of 2011 and will be a key measurement of access to arts education.

Later this week, the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities is set to release their study “Reinvesting in Arts Education: Winning America’s Future Through Creative Schools” which will promote successful arts education models and best practices as identified by this committee appointed by President Obama and chaired by the First Lady.

The momentum that has been built by recent advocacy on Capitol Hill and the boost from these national studies will serve the arts education field well as Congress considers education reforms later this year. Americans for the Arts will keep you informed on policy developments and call on advocates to take action when needed.

Thank you for your support of the arts and arts education!

Help us continue this important work by becoming an official member of the Arts Action Fund. If you are not already a member play your part by joining the Arts Action Fund today -- it's free and simple.