NCTC Names New Artistic Director

In its 30-plus years of providing live entertainment to downtown Newnan, the Newnan Community Theatre Company struggled in 2008, however, they are coming back strong in 2009. Its season-opener, M*A*S*H, played to sold-out audiences and they have over 130 season-ticket holders. The Board of Directors no longer manages the day-to-day operations of the theatre. The Board handles oversight and policy, while a Theatre Operations Committee handles theatre management.

Laurel Alford, most recently the theatre’s artistic director, will be taking over the newly-created position of Director of Youth Activities, announced Rick Olsen, NCTC’s Managing Director. “Laurel oversees the theatre’s wildly successful KidsCamp and this will allow her to focus on the camp and other youth programs,” Olsen said. Alford also heads XTras!, a free Tuesday-evening group for teenagers to learn more about acting, directing, and producing shows.

Next up for Alford will be directing Winter KidsCamp. This will be held the week of February 16th, during winter break for Coweta County schools. That will be followed by a Spring KidsCamp in April. She will then direct the next children’s production, The Jungle Book. That show will be performed in April with a cast of children only.

Taking over as Artistic Director, as of February 1st, will be Darren Mathews. Mathews discovered NCTC when he auditioned for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Mathews was born in Stone Mountain and raised in Peachtree City. He graduated from the University of Kentucky. His first theatre experience was with the Studio Players of Lexington, one of the oldest community theaters in Kentucky. He played the role of Nick Pym in The Sister Rosensweig. After this small part, he became very involved with the theater community at college. He took classes on writing, acting, and directing, with an emphasis on experimental theater. He performed in Picasso at the Lapin Agile, True West, Perfect Wedding, Tempest, and Richard Cory along with multiple smaller plays. He also worked a professional dinner theater show, Happy B-day, Wanda June with a group of students. He also was Assistant Director for the Donavan’s Reader, a senior citizen reading theater group. He moved to Newnan in 2006. Since his Cuckoo’s Nest audition, he has been a regular volunteer at NCTC. He acted in Wait Until Dark and M*A*S*H and was the stage manager for The Odd Couple. Mathews started NCTC’s very popular improvisational comedy troupe, N.I.T.W.I.T.S., and is currently heading a writing workshop at the theatre for playwriting and scriptwriting.

Rick Olsen will continue to head the Theatre Operations Committee as Managing Director. When the Theatre Operating Committee was created, the position of President was dissolved. Rounding out this committee is Mike Patterson as Technical Director, John Abbey as Financial Advisor, Sam Gentry as House Manager, and Dianne Olsen as Director of Marketing and Publicity.

The Theatre Operations Committee is overseen by the Board of Directors. Caroline Abbey has been re-elected as the Board Chairman. Serving as Vice Chairman is John Thrasher. New to the board this year is Marlene Rhodes as Secretary and Andy Sharp as Treasurer. Also serving on the board is Gary Hyde, Ann Lynn Whiteside and Rick Olsen.

The Newnan Community Theatre Company is located at 24 First Avenue in downtown Newnan. The theatre is a 100% non-profit, volunteer organization. For more information, visit their website at newnantheatre.com or call them at (770) 683-6282.

M*A*S*H - Ready For Opening!

After many weeks of rehearsing, the show is ready to open tomorrow night! I'm so excited to share this cast photo with you. They have been having a lot of fun. I can't wait to see the show in its entirety. You're being forewarned though -- make your reservation! The shows are filling up and a seat might not be available. Except for the Thursday evenign show...plenty of room that evening.

Audition Notice: Proof

It's time for auditions!

The play is called Proof and it was written by David Auburn.

Proof is the story of a woman struggling with mathematical genius and mental illness. There are roles for four characters - two adult males and two adult females.

Auditions will be held at 7 pm on February 9 and 10 at the theatre. You don't have to attend both audition evenings, just one or the other. The play is being directed by Jeff Allen.

Proof will be performed in the black box on March 27, 28, 29 and April 2, 3, and 4. This show is not part of the theatre's 2009 Season, but is a special event. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors (55 and up), $12 for students, and $10 for children (10 and under). Season ticket holders CAN use a punch on their card or a free early bird ticket to attend this play.

Romantic Fools

Join us for an evening all about relationships! Romantic Fools consists of 12 two-character comedies examining love, lust, dating and romance. From dating a caveman to the frustrations of having a perfect mate, you will love this funny evening.
The cast includes two married couples – Caroline Carr and Tom Grandpre and Spencer and Sarah Jordan.

There are two performances only – February 13 and 14. The evening will include drinks and desserts. The fun begins at 8 pm in the black box. The cost is $20 per person and tickets can be purchased from our website.

This is a special event and not part of our regular season. Season ticket holders receive 10% off the price of the tickets if they would like to attend.

Produced by Laurel Alford, this show is Rated R due to the theme. Romantic Fools was written by Rich Orloff. It is produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (playscripts.com).

NCTC Writer's Workshop

This Sunday at 5 pm will be the first meeting of NCTC's Writer's Workshop. Led by Darren Mathews, we invite all with a lot of experience writing, some experience writing, or none experience writing to learn, share and get better at writing plays and scripts.

This is a fledgling idea and needs a ton of support and input. Please e-mail Darren at dmathew1979@yahoo.com if you are interested or have questions.

The group will meet weekly, on Sundays at 5 pm, at the theatre.

M*A*S*H Has Arrived

You all know M*A*S*H stands for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, right? Of course you do! Well, the unit has arrived on NCTC's main stage. It is very green in case you haven't seen it before, so The Swamp is certainly an apt name for it.

The first show of our 2009 season will be opening on January 23rd. There are many new faces to NCTC's stage for this show. Here are just a few of them: John Chappell, Bill Monroe, Stephen Pye, RaShaan Smith, Duck Kingsenamongkhol, Judie Hardin, Megan Martin, Brenda Naughton, and Ashlee Sims.

Community theatre is amazing. Your child auditions for a show (James Chappell), gets a major role (Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol) and the next thing you know, you have a major role (John Chappell as Col. Blake) in the next show. Don't you just love that? Stars are born every day in community theatre. You really, truly, don't have to have any experience to audition for a show at NCTC. Yes, talent is good. Preferable, of course! John is a wonderful guy, I hope you get the chance to meet him sometime.

Meanwhile, back to M*A*S*H. The show is only running for six performances. Please make your reservations or purchase your tickets from our website today. We expect some of the performances to be sold out (hit - Thursday the 29th is probably your best bet if you must walk-in). Show dates are: January 23rd at 8 pm, January 24th at 8 pm, January 25th at 2:30 pm, January 29th at 8 pm, January 30th at 8 pm, and January 31st at 8 pm. Yes, there is only ONE matinee.

The cast has been having a lot of fun. Christian Pollak is shining in his first major adult role. He even shaved his head to play Radar. Darren Mathews is Hawkeye, JohnPaul Phillips is Duke Forrest (a role that got cut from the TV show), and Chaz Ferguson is Trapper John. Darren is of course hilarious in anything he does, but I have to say a few things about JohnPaul and Chaz. I am such a big fan of theirs (they don't know this yet!). I swear Chaz was a baby the first time I saw him at NCTC. He is a natural. JohnPaul is a complete ham but amazes me with everything he pulls off.

I will be there opening night (did I mention my husband is the director?). I hope to see you there too!