Hello and welcome from the All-of-Us Express (AECT) non-profit Board!
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In this newsletter:
Tour and Treats! October 27th at 6:30pm
Something Wicked This Way Comes Opening Night Reception - November 4th
Where are they now? Alumni Feature - Blake Weil
Matilda Jr - Show and Opening Night Recap
Keep Those Cans and Bottles Coming
Upcoming Shows
Tour and Treats!
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 "Tours and Treats (No Tricks!)" on Thursday, October 27 to find out as AECT guides give you a behind-the-scenes look all over the Hannah Center (note that ongoing remodeling makes it unlikely that we'll be able to go to the basement to visit the Props Hole or Set Shop, but there's plenty to see on the ground floor and upstairs!) We'll meet at 6:30pm in the concessions area off the theater lobby and divide into small groups for a short tour. Rehearsal will be going on, and most crews are called that night, so we'll get to see our kids in action. After the tour, you can grab a treat back in the concessions area and chat with other AECT families, or head home until it's time to pick up your participant. Please check out the Special Events page where you can find out more!
Something Wicked This Way Comes Opening Night Reception is coming up!
Get ready for another opportunity to meet up with the board, fellow theatre families, and friends! The All-of-Us-Express Children’s Theatre Board of Trustees invites YOU to our next opening night reception will be on Friday, November 4th in the Big Top (aka Hannah Center Ballroom) beginning at 5:15pm. There will be free food, beverages, fun games and door prizes!
Please RSVP here! (http://evite.me/hsAWMNmMFs)
Performances for Something Wicked This Way Comes
Skip the line and get your tickets now! Purchase tickets here!
Nov. 4 & 11: 7 p.m.
Nov. 5 & 12: 3 p.m.
Nov. 6 & 13: 3 p.m.
Where Are They Now? AECT Alumni Feature
Blake Weil (Class of 2019)
Blake Weil (class of 2019) is going to college part-time pursuing a degree in early education. While going to college, Blake also has been working on electrics (lights) for shows at the Wharton Center, such as “Dear Evan Hansen”. Blake is going to apply for IATSE (the union for theatre technicians) over the next year to be able to work more and get better pay. Blake said that being at All of us Express helped him with all sorts of theatre skills and feels on level with people who have theatre as a major. Blake would like to say that All of us Express is a great experience for theatre and emotional development.
What are you doing now?
Switched from construction management to early art education. Realized over the course of pandemic that missed working with kids and less of the technical work. Goes to part time college and worked as a stagehand at Wharton. Worked in electrics (lights) ran spot for Dear Evan Hansen. Going to apply for union card for IATSE (Major union of theatre workers) next season to work more and get better pay
Goes to LCC, every college is slightly different and had a lot of online classes. Once a week have a 2 or 3 hour block and then self paced lessons.
How has AECT affected that?
So much of AECT helped with the skills for the major. Knowing a lot of theatre etiquette and technical theatre things helped. Others are going through a college program that he isn’t and he feels at a similar level
Is there anything you’d like to say to AECT?
All of us express is a great experience for maturing adolescence with emotional experience along with physical theatre experience
Alumni Feature by Liam VanDerHeide - Youth Board Member. Are you an alum (or parent of an alum) with an update to share? Send an email to jenshangraw@gmail.com and I’ll pass on your contact info!
Matilda Jr - Show Recap and Opening Night Reception
Our spectacular summer show, Matilda Jr, was a blast - truly fun for all ages! We had record breaking attendance - nearly 1,500 tickets sold! Excellent choreography, singing, dancing and a scene-stealing newt.
If you’ve not made it to one of our Opening Night Receptions yet, we’d love for you to join us! Not just for parents of participants, ALL AECT friends and families are welcome! Cool give-aways, fun games and light refreshments.
Recycling Can Drive & Other Easy Ways to Support AECT
Save yourself a trip and help us out at the same time! All-of-Us Express is happy to take your returnables off your hands. We will pick up your returnable cans and bottles on a regular basis, or as a one-time donation.
Text Jeff D’Valentine at 269-207-0303 or email jdvalentin@aol.com to set up a time, he 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 large or small 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.
Season 34 - What’s Up Next?
We continue to be super pumped for this exciting season! Keep an eye on our facebook and instagram for audition information.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Feb. 3 & 10: 7 p.m.
Feb. 4 & 11: 3 p.m.
Feb. 5 & 12: 3 p.m.
School of Rock
April 28 & May 5: 7 p.m.
April 29 & May 6: 3 p.m.
April 30 & May 7: 3 p.m
Frozen JR.
July 28 & Aug. 4: 7 p.m.
July 29 & Aug. 5: 3 p.m.
July 30 & Aug. 6: 3 p.m.
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