| | | ABOUT US | | | ABOUT US
Mission
Playhouse Merced exists to entertain, educate and enlighten our audiences, celebrating the area's diversity through our chosen artistic medium, live theatre.
History
Founded in 1994 as the Merced Center for the Performing Arts, Playhouse Merced has grown over the past dozen years into the area's premier theatre organization, presenting a Mainstage season of at least a dozen shows annually in its two performance spaces. Additionally, the youth Conservatory offers after-school instruction in theatre, voice and dance, provides educational opportunities through outreach to outlying communities and presents two acclaimed theatre summer camps for youth. Factoids Playhouse Merced is one of Merced County's "Top Ten Attractions," with over 40,000 visitors annually, with upwards of 40% of those visitors from out of town. Playhouse Merced boasts a budget, staff and theatrical offerings that are more in line with a city of 200,000 - 300,000, than with the 75,000 that make up the city of Merced. Now in its 15th season, Playhouse Merced offers musicals, dramas, comedies, classics and children's theatre offerings, all created with an attention to detail and professionalism, by a mixture of professional staff, community actors and volunteers and visiting artists. The performing arts promote CULTURAL TOURISM, which is a key component in the economic development of any metropolitan area. Arts and cultrue contribute to the identity and cohesion of a community, help to increase literacy, break down social barriers and help foster economic development and civic improvements. | | THE BLACK BOX
The Black Box Theatre The Black Box Theatre, located in the old Beverly Fabrics building was designed specifically to explore and learn more about ourselves and the creative process of playmaking and creative expression. The Black Box is a place where it's okay to get our hands dirty. It's okay to take risks. It's okay to try something new. The facility is primarily dedicated to two very specific activities. 1. To provide a safe and open environment for students ages 7-18 to truly explore the performing arts with after school and weekend clesses in dance, acting, voice and technical theatre. Students will attend class and perform recitals, as well as perform their own productions within this intimate 99-seat shoebox flexible space. 2. To establish an artistic laboratory where new work, alternative art forms, creative freedom and the relationship between audience and artist can be tested beyond the limits of a commercial enterprise such as our mainstage. From the perspective of audience and community, this will be a significant alternative to explore different performaing arts events not usually available outside and urban setting. As the community grows, this can become a truly eclectic environment where different voices can truly express themselves to a larger audience. The Black Box was designed as a flexible space able to reconfigure easily into many orientations. Half the fun will be seeing how the shows are oriented and imagining where you'll be sitting next! This is a wonderful opportunity to get right in the thick of it and enjoy the energy of live, spontaneous and invigorating artistic expressions. Call (209) 725-8587 for rental information!
Back to Top | | COMPANY BIOS Playhouse Staff
Artistic Director - Robert Hypes
Robert Hypes joined the Playhouse Merced family four years ago starting out as an intern and working his way up to Technical Director and now the Artistic Director. Previous light designs include: Godspell, Grease, The Diary of Anne Frank, A Year With Frog and Toad, Fiddler on the Roof, and several others shows here at the Playhouse. He would like to thank his ever-understanding wife and all of his mentors and friends who helped him reach his aspirations and goals. Though they may not be here, they will always be in his thoughts. Education Director - Noelle Chandler
Noelle D. W. Chandler is thrilled to be the Education Director for the Conservatory at Playhouse Merced. Originally from the DC Metro Area, Noelle graduated with a Theatre Performance Degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. Back East, she taught and traveled with a variety of institutions, including Prince George's Children's Theatre and Shakespeare & Company. Since coming to California, she's been a teacher and performer for Mad Science of Stanislaus County and head teacher for the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival's summer program in Pleasanton, in addition to her work here at the Playhouse. Noelle is excited to be able to provide students of Merced with quality theatre education and access to the arts. Music Director - Joel Scott Shade
Joel Scott Shade is cautiously optimistic about this, his fourth season at Playhouse Merced. In addition to Music Directing, Joel also teaches voice at the Conservatory at the Playhouse. Joel find happiness with his lovely fiancee Nancy and beautiful daughter Grace and in accompanying for the wonderfully supportive congregation at the United Methodist Church of Merced. Technical Director - Chad Phillips
Chad Phillips is the new Technical Director at Playhouse Merced. He’s a graduate of the Art Institute of Dallas with an Associates in film. He made his theatre debut doing sound design for Oklahoma! Marketing - Joseph Hypes
Office Manager - Cheri Steck
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Pre-Professional Intern Company - Samantha Narron, Matthew Davis, Goran Norquist, Tess Parks Sam Narron is a recent graduate from Missouri Valley College. She holds a BA in Theatre and is excited to be an intern for Playhouse Merced's 2007-2008 season. Matthew Davis graduated in December Summa Kum Laude from Minnesota State University, his degree in theatre. He made his Playhouse debut in Crazy for You as Eugene Foder and is lucky to be one of the theatre's inerns. Elsewhere he has played Officer Law in Urinetown, Archie Kramer in Summer and Smoke and Chester Nurdiger in the Artificial Jungle. Back to Top | | BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board of Directors President - Andrew Neufeld Secretary - Bruce Logue Treasurer - Carol Longobardi
Members - William Cook, Eve Delfin, Marilyn Fauerbach, John Mayer, Jennifer Ossowski, Melissa Proeti, Michele Speich Ex-Officio Members - Maciej Ossowski, Dunya Ramikova, Suma Thondapu, Ellie Wooten, Tony Varni, Terry Bohlke Company Doctor - Maciej Ossowski, M.D. Company Photographer - Tom Frazier
Back to Top | | AUDITIONS
Auditions for a MURDER MYSTERY MUSICAL...
Something's Afoot is a murder mystery musical that spoofs all things detective, mainly the works of Agatha Christie, and especially her detective novel And Then There Were None (aka Ten Little Indians). The play involves a group of people who are invited to the lake estate of Lord Dudley Rancour. When the wealthy lord is found dead, it's a race against the clock to find out "whodunit". Auditions will be held on August 9, 2008 at 12 noon at Playhouse Merced. Come prepared with 16 bars of a song (not from the play) and be prepared to stay for call backs and possibly some dancing afterward. There are parts for 6 Men and 4 Women. Rehearsals start September 9, 2008. Show opens October 17, 2008 and runs through November 2, 2008. Four performances per week (Friday and Saturday evenings @ 7:30 and Saturday and Sunday Matinées @ 2:00 pm). If you cannot make this date, please call and make other arrangements with Robert Hypes, Artistic Director. (209) 725-8587 CONSERVATORY PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP AUDITIONS
Auditions for Dance, Vocal and Musical Theatre workshops will be held on August 23, 2008 at 1:00 PM. Potential students should come prepared to audition for all classes by being ready to move in appropriate clothing, have 16 bars of a song with sheet music, and a memorized 30-45 second monologue.
Unless otherwise noted, all auditionees should prepare a short monolgue, 16-bars of a song with sheet music written in the appropriate key, and wear clothing appropriate for movement and/or dancing. Please call Playhouse Merced (209) 725-8587 with any questions!
| | INTERNSHIPS
Internship Program We offer a pre-professional internship program to recent college graduates looking for the opportunity to enhance their college experience. We offer them a small weekly stipend, as well as housing and utilities. This intensive internship allows them an opportunity to work in all areas of the theatre, while performing in both our regular season and our educational outreach shows. This program allows them a start in the world of professional theatre. We receive applicants from all over the United States as well as from within California.
Back to Top | | VOLUNTEER
Volunteer Opportunities Too much free time? We'll keep you busy! Playhouse Merced is constantly looking for new volunteers. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and we would not exist without the efforts of dedicated community members like you! Whether you're interested in ushering, acting, sewing, scene-building, or publicity, we have a variety of opportunities for people of all skill levels. If you would like to help, please fill out this form and turn it into the Box Office. For more information, please call (209) 725-8587.
| | SUPPORT THE PLAYHOUSE
Individual Patrons Playhouse Merced, like any quality arts presenter, relies on the support of committed members of the community to help us continue to provide the best in entertainment and education.
Here are just a few examples of what your individual sponsorship supports: * Our educational Conservatory, serving close to 20,000 local students a year. * The presentation of over 125 performances per year. * A professional staff coupled with a strong volunteer pool. * Continues our tradition of bringing in the finest local, regional and national actors, directors and designers. Your generous tax-deductible contribution may also include recognition in all of our season programs. Founders $5,000
Producers $2,500
Directors $1,000
Playwrights $500
Actors $250
Patrons $100
Understudies $50
Ushers $25 Won't you join our growing family? Endowments, gifts or bequests help support the theatre's mission, while making a difference in your community. Please feel free to make an appointment with our staff or your financial planner to set this important work in place.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Becoming a business partner with Playhouse Merced helps provide exposure to the finest in the theatrical arts for a wide section of our community and region. As a sponsor, you will acheive visibility and recognition throughout the year. In addition, sponsors receive additional benefits, not available to most patrons! This is an excellent opportunity to publicize your business or organization, while providing valuable, much needed support to one of the area's leading arts providers. Business Sponsors:
Diamond - $10,000
Platinum - $7,500
Gold - $5,000
Silver - $2,500
Bronze - $1,000 With each level you receive an advantage package, recognition on our corporate board and season tickets! Show Sponsorships
Want to sponsor a show for the season? Individual show sponsorships are a great way to get your name out there and show support for the arts! Talk with Mary Bigelow in our Marketing/Sales Department to find out more details! (209) 725-8587
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