All-of-us Express Children's Theatre Newsletter

Share this post

Show Notes: November 2023

aect.substack.com

Discover more from All-of-us Express Children's Theatre Newsletter

Updates and information from the nonprofit Board of the All-of-us Express Children's Theatre company in East Lansing, Michigan.
Continue reading
Sign in

Show Notes: November 2023

The Newsletter of All-of-us Express Children's Theatre

Joy Campbell
Nov 10, 2023
Share this post

Show Notes: November 2023

aect.substack.com
Share

In this issue:

  • New AECT logo unveiled

  • Now on stage: The Witch’s Princess

  • Next on stage: A Christmas Carol

  • Upcoming auditions

  • Work with AECT

  • Alumni feature: Craig Darnell

  • Season 35 productions

We begin our 35th season with lots to look forward to. Read on for news from the All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre (AECT) nonprofit Board!


New AECT logo unveiled

A fresh look for Season 35

For AECT’s first 34 years, the logo featured several pairs of feet sticking out from under a large, floppy hat. The clown feet, ballet slippers, tennis shoes, and webbed duck feet represented the fun and varied roles taken on in AECT productions. When the registered trademark on the original logo was due to expire, AECT leadership decided it was time for an update.

At the beginning of AECT’s 35th season this fall, a logo contest was held, and youth participants and recent alumni were encouraged to submit drawings or digital art for a new logo and a fresh look. The winning design, submitted by current AECT participant Emily C., instantly evokes theatre and the many emotions the arts can inspire. Congratulations to Emily for designing the winning logo and the new face of our company!


Now on stage: The Witch’s Princess

Don’t miss this topsy-turvy fairy tale—three shows left!

The queen is dead. The kingdom is cursed. And the only way to lift the curse is to slay the witch. The Witch’s Princess is a fairy tale on its head—a romp through fen and forest with a sword-wielding princess, her faithful if sometimes distracted sidekick, and a bunch of monsters who are perhaps not quite what they seem.

Our fall production of The Witch’s Princess enchanted audiences on opening weekend. This show truly has something for everyone... from juice to a Jabberwock, mushrooms to Medusa (or not—you'll see!), Beowulf to bonfires, swordplay to sorcery. We can't wait to welcome you to Artemisia for one of our remaining three performances!

Remaining show times

  • Friday, November 10: 7:00pm

  • Saturday, November 11: 3:00pm

  • Sunday, November 12: 3:00pm

Ticket information

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for anyone under 18 and are available at the front desk of the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, by phone at (517) 333-2580 ext. 0, or online. Tickets are date-specific, but are still for general seating. Season ticket holders can trade in tickets at the front desk for a specific performance. Doors open approximately 30 minutes before the show.

Purchase Tickets Now


Next on stage: A Christmas Carol

A holiday classic comes to the AECT stage

It’s Christmas Eve. As the cold, bleak night draws in, the penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge is confronted by the spirit of his former business partner, Jacob Marley.

On stage for two performances only, this holiday classic brings the audience along as Scrooge is visited by three ghosts who try to help him change his miserly ways. Bring the whole family to enjoy this beloved tale of Christmas miracles.

Show times

  • Friday, December 15: 7:00pm

  • Saturday, December 16: 3:00pm

Ticket information

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for anyone under 18. ​Tickets are available at the front desk of the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, by phone at (517) 333-2580 ext. 0, or online. Tickets are date-specific, but are still for general seating. Doors open approximately 30 minutes before the show.

Purchase Tickets Now


Upcoming auditions

Studio class opportunity for older participants

Audition spots for The Addams Family are full, but youth ages 9 and up can email Artistic Director Nina Crumpton at ncrumpt@cityofeastlansing.com to be added to a wait list. A few crew spots may still be available.

Auditions for the spring Studio Class, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, will be held December 8 and 9. Studio Classes are aimed at older participants (age 14 and up for this production) and allow the actors to do some analysis and character development. The Studio Class typically rehearses on Saturday mornings from January to May, so it does not conflict with main stage shows.


Work with AECT

Seeking adults for positions in the coming months!

Have you always wanted to get involved with theatre? Sat in the audience and wished you could do more? Do you love working with kids? We have a number of volunteer and paid positions we will be looking to fill this season and next! Please contact Artistic Director Nina Crumpton at ncrumpt@cityofeastlansing.com for more details about any of the following:

  • Videographer to shoot footage for The Addams Family and The SpongeBob Musical that will be used in commercials (no video editing necessary, but you need to have your own equipment)

  • Costumes Crew Head for The SpongeBob Musical (Summer 2024)

  • Directors, Stage Managers, and Crew Heads for Season 36 with shows from Fall 2024 to Summer 2025


Alumni feature: Craig Darnell

From Hamelin to The Hobbit

Craig Darnell (Class of 2022) joined AECT in the summer of 2015 as Frederick in The Pied Piper of Hamelin and continued through the summer of 2022, when he participated in his final AECT show as Sets Crew Head on Matilda Jr. In the interim he split his time on and off stage, appearing in numerous shows, memorably as Gandalf in The Hobbit and Juror #9 in Twelve Angry Jurors for his last AECT role. His favorite AECT experience was working on the War of the Worlds broadcast—a pandemic twist on the annual studio class that found the cast working on (and recording) a radio show. He enjoyed collaboratively writing the script and then getting to voice-act various parts the group created. Craig is currently studying English at the University of Michigan, where he is also involved with various theatre organizations. AECT gave him lots of experience with theatre and acting, which has led to his continued investment in theater—so much that his main group of friends in Ann Arbor is comprised of people from his theatre groups.


Season 35 productions

Save these dates!

More information about auditions and audition workshops, performance dates and times, and plot details can be found in the Season 35 brochure.

  • Fall 2023: The Witch’s Princess *On stage November 3-12*

    • A comedy, a fairy tale, and a princess who gets to do a lot of sword fighting

    • Directed by Jen Shaw

  • Holiday Show 2023: A Christmas Carol *On stage December 15-16*

    • A classic! This Saturday rehearsal experience is akin to the studio class but with a holiday twist.

    • Directed by Elena Forman

  • Winter 2024: The Addams Family *Auditions November 16-17*

    • A kooky musical based on the endearingly creepy TV characters

    • Directed by Jocelyn France

  • Spring 2024: The Wind in the Willows *Auditions February 22-23*

    • A beloved tale of two best friends and their adventures

    • Directed by Blake Weil

  • Studio Class 2024: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time *Auditions December 8 and 9*

    • In which a brilliant but misunderstood teenager attempts to solve a mystery

    • Directed by Ayden Soupal

  • Summer 2024: The SpongeBob Musical *Auditions May 16-17*

    • Can our favorite yellow sponge save Bikini Bottom from certain destruction?

    • Directed by Jocelyn France


Thanks for reading Show Notes—we hope to see you on Facebook and Instagram as well! Keep up between issues on our website.

Subscribe for free to be sure to receive new issues of Show Notes.

Share this post

Show Notes: November 2023

aect.substack.com
Share
Comments
Top
New

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2023 All-of-us Express Children's Theatre
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing