Show Notes: Spring 2023
The Quarterly Newsletter of All-of-us Express Children's Theatre
In this issue:
Goodbyes and hellos
Spring backstage tours
Next on stage: School of Rock
Studio class: A Murder is Announced
Summer 2023 drama camps
Show recap: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Summer show & Season 35
Happy spring from the All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre (AECT) nonprofit Board!
Thank you for signing up for Show Notes! We use this quarterly newsletter to keep our members and the community informed about upcoming events, behind-the-scenes action, and ways you can help us continue to bring amazing children’s theatre opportunities to the Lansing area.
Goodbyes and hellos
Artistic Director steps down, interim named
After seven fruitful years with AECT, Artistic Director Liz Cooke stepped down in mid-March. An alumna of AECT herself, Liz grew the company during her tenure, brought a fantastic variety of shows to the stage, and helped AECT navigate the theatre world during the pandemic. We’re grateful for her creativity, leadership, and dedication, and wish her all the best in her future endeavors!
Nina Crumpton has been named the company’s Interim Artistic Director. Nina has been with AECT since 2017, when she served as the Costumes Crew Head for Shrek Jr. She has steered the Costumes Crew ever since, and in 2021 also took the helm of the newly-created Puppetry Crew. We are grateful to Nina for stepping in to lead AECT through the Artistic Director transition, and are excited for this new era!
Spring backstage tours
Explore the Hannah Center on a backstage tour!
No matter how long your family has been involved with AECT, there’s likely a crew no one has been on or a place in the Hannah Center you haven’t seen. Have you heard your kid talking about the “Props Hole” and wondered what it is? Or been curious how actors get from one side of the stage to the other between scenes? Have a guess about the number of sewing machines the Costumes crew has on hand? Wondered where those recurring set pieces, like giant rocks or lamp posts, are stored between shows?
Join us for our Spring Backstage Tours on Monday, April 10 to find out as AECT guides give you a behind-the-scenes look all over the Hannah Center.
Groups will leave from the concessions area off the theater lobby at 6:30, 6:45, and 7:00pm. Rehearsal will be going on, and most crews are called that night, so we'll get to see our kids in action. To assist with planning, please sign up for a time slot and indicate how many people will be in your group. Walk-ins are also welcome, but signing up will help us have the right number of guides on hand.
After the tour, you can grab a free treat back in the concessions area and chat with other AECT families, or head home until it's time to pick up your participant.
Next on stage: School of Rock
Don’t miss this rockin’ show!
We predict that School of Rock is going to break attendance records—you do not want to miss this rocktacular production! This show is also special because for the first time in an AECT production, our youth participants are joined onstage by adult actors. (The age-mixed cast of The Wizard of Oz was a co-production with Riverwalk Theatre.) In addition to the talented cast and hard-working crew members, School of Rock also features a live band!
Show times
Fridays, April 28 and May 5: 7:00pm
Saturdays, April 29 and May 6: 3:00pm
Sundays, April 30 and May 7: 3:00 pm
Opening night reception
As has become the opening night tradition, the AECT Board of Trustees invites you to join us for a bite to eat and some pre-show fun. The School of Rock reception will be Friday, April 28 in the Hannah Center Ballroom from 5:15-6:30pm. RSVP below and enjoy free food, beverages, fun games, and door prizes! Feel free to bring your whole family after dropping off your cast or crew member.
Studio class: A Murder is Announced
Small group brings Agatha Christie to the stage
Did you know AECT offers a Studio Class each year? This is an in-depth theatre experience with a focus on one piece of media and the accompanying script version with a focus on analysis and character development. In this mystery, “A Murder is Announced in a small-town newspaper advertisement—and Miss Marple must unravel the fiendish puzzle when a crime does indeed occur.”
Show times
Friday, May 12: 7:00pm
Saturday, May 13: 7:00pm
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for ticket information, which will also be posted on our website.
Summer 2023 drama camps
Camps are filling fast!
AECT’s drama camps have become a summer staple for many area families. Many camps are nearing capacity, so check out the brochure ASAP if you have a kiddo with a flair for the dramatic. Camps feature a variety of themes—from Superheroes to Dr. Seuss, Encanto to Detective Camp—and are open starting at 6 years old all the way into the teens.
Download the brochure here! Ready to sign up? Register through the City of East Lansing’s AECT website (go to "Browse Classes & Register Online).
Show recap: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
“For Narnia and for Aslan!”
CS Lewis’ beloved classic drew hundreds of audience members to the Hannah Center! Nearly 1,400 people enjoyed watching our talented cast bring this story to life, ably assisted by dozens of crew members. The Aslan puppet was a huge hit, as were the many animal costumes, the delightfully evil Queen Jadis, a cameo by Father Christmas, and the plucky Pevensie children. How many of you had kids asking for Turkish Delight for days afterward?
Summer show & Season 35
Follow us on social media to stay in the loop!
We will wrap up this exciting season with the ever-popular Frozen Jr., rehearsing over the summer and on stage in late July and early August.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for Frozen Jr. audition information, which will also be posted on our website.
Another good reason to follow us… we’ll be announcing the Season 35 productions soon! Stay tuned!
Thanks for reading Show Notes—subscribe to receive new issues each quarter and keep up with AECT’s shows and other initiatives. We hope to see you on Facebook and Instagram as well!