Show Notes: The All-of-Us Express Quarterly Newsletter - October 14, 2021
Greetings from the All-of-Us Express (AECT) non-profit Board!
We appreciate you signing up for our (usually) quarterly newsletter. We use this newsletter to keep our members and the community informed about upcoming events, behind the curtain action, and ways you can help us bring amazing children’s theatre opportunities to the Lansing area.
Please forward this email to interested readers, and if you’re not subscribed, sign up now!
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In this newsletter:
Opening Night Gathering for Parents, Families and Friends
Audition and Show Schedules for Winter & Spring 2021-2022
Fundraising and Grants Success Stories
Board Volunteer Opportunities
Opening Night Reception
We hope you are as excited as we are about The Hobbit! The cast, crew and staff have been working hard to bring you this much beloved show. I heard from a little bird (err… dwarf) that the there will be exciting sword fights, crafty costumes, inventive masks and that Smaug’s voice is terrifying!
To celebrate opening night, we hope you will join us on Friday, November 5th, 5:30-6:30pm in The Shire! (Or as it’s more commonly called, the Hannah Center Banquet Hall). This event is generously sponsored by the All of Us Express Children’s Theatre Board. Enjoy a glass of pop, wine or beer and some tasty snacks while you wait for the show and connect with other AECT families and friends. For the safety of all guests and performers, please remain masked while not actively eating or drinking.
What to expect:
Snacks
Pop
Beer and Wine
Door Prizes
Fun Hobbit Crafts for ages 1 - 100
Please RSVP by October 25th here so we can be sure we have enough tasty treats and activities for all! Tell your friends!
Audition and Show Schedules for Winter & Spring 2021-2022
Winter 2021: Treasure Island
Auditions: November 18-20
Performances: February 4-6 & 11-13
Spring 2022: The Little Mermaid
Auditions: February 17-19
Performances: April 29-May 1 & May 6-8
Summer 2022: Matilda JR.
Auditions: May 19-21
Performances: July 29-31 & August 5-7
The best way to keep up with our audition, performance and other timely announcements is through our social media channels.
Fundraising and Grants Success Stories
Fundraising during the COVID slowdown has been highly successful. Your generous support, the support of many granting agencies, and the lower expenses have given us a head start on fundraising for the coming year. Fundraising allows us to provide more scholarships, updated equipment, royalties, and support for rehearsal and performance space. All of this contributes to an unparalleled theatrical experience for young people.
We will once again be selling merchandise at the board table for all performances of The Hobbit. Stop by and pick up a show pin, bid on those coveted cast-and-crew signed show poster or buy a mug to show your AECT pride.
The fundraising committee has an ongoing a sponsorship drive. If you are affiliated with a business or organization that might be interested in sponsoring an upcoming show, send an email to Jen VanDerHeide, Fundraising Committee chair, at jvheide@gmail.com, and we will send you a sponsorship brochure with more information.
Make sure you contribute the best way for your family, either through volunteering as a Board Member, donating funds, putting us in contact with your workplace grants or donations office, or participating in our community fundraiser efforts:
Recycling Can Drive - We will pick up your returnable cans and bottles on a regular basis, or as a one-time donation. Reach out to contact@allofusexpress.org to set up a time, we will happily come and get those cans for you, then use the proceeds to fund AECT.
Online Matching Links
Amazon Smile - Select AECT in Amazon’s Smile mode for a portion of your Amazon purchases to come back to AECT.
Bing Give - Select All-of-Us-Express in Bing’s Give Mode.
eBay for Charity - Buy or sell and contribute to AECT through eBay.
You can also always donate directly through PayPal, or send us a check. Thank you, no matter if you are a member, an audience member, or if you donate a significant amount. All of us matter and help All-of-Us Express thrive.
100% will go to All-of-us Express Children’s Theatre
When you donate through PayPal Giving Fund, all fees are covered by PayPal.
Receive a tax receipt - After you donate, PayPal will email you a PayPal Giving Fund tax receipt.
Board Volunteer Opportunities
The AECT non-profit board is seeking new members to make our incredible youth experiences happen. The AECT Staff and programming does not happen without community involvement.
WE NEED YOU!
The Board meets once per month to discuss ongoing efforts at fundraising, grants, education initiatives, and various other matters. Everyone has expertise that’s valuable to the Board. Accountants can come help with the books, social media gurus can help write the newsletter and manage the website, handy folks can dig in helping to ensure quality tools and equipment is available, people good with kids can help wrangle actors backstage.
Reach out to Board President Paul Beczkiewicz at contact@allofusexpress.org and we will be in touch for a conversation about your contribution to service. An email does not sign you up for anything, so feel free to reach out to just learn more.
Thank you for signing up for our quarterly newsletter. Please forward this email on to interested readers, and if you’re not subscribed, sign up now!