Show Notes: The All-of-Us Express Quarterly Newsletter
Show Notes: The All-of-Us Express Quarterly Newsletter
January 17, 2022
Hello and welcome to a new year of theatre from the All-of-Us Express (AECT) non-profit Board!
Thank you for signing up for our quarterly newsletter! We use this 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!
In this newsletter:
Fundraising and Grant Updates
Recap of The Hobbit Opening Night Reception
Audition & Performance Schedule for The Little Mermaid & Matilda Jr.
Save the date! Treasure Island Opening Night Reception on February 4, 2022
Upcoming Spring Fundraising Event
Fundraising and Grants - Join Us!
Fundraising during the COVID slowdown continues to be 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.
MERCH - We will once again be selling merchandise at the board table for all performances of Treasure Island. 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.
SHARE - 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.
JOIN - 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 - 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 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.
The Hobbit - Opening Night Reception Recap
We celebrated opening night 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 was generously sponsored by the All of Us Express Children’s Theatre Board and was a great success!
We hope you were able to join us for some tasty drinks and snacks, door prizes, activities and more. I particularly enjoyed getting to meet the supportive families and friends that were here for our participants! I hear the crew was especially excited to eat up the leftover cookies. And if you missed the fun, never fear! We are planning on hosting receptions for upcoming opening nights. We look forward to seeing you there.
Upcoming Productions - Spring & Summer 2022
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.
Save the Date! Treasure Island Opening Night Reception is coming up
Get ready for another opportunity to meet up with the board, fellow theatre families, and friends! Our next opening night reception will be on Friday, February 4th in the Hannah Center Banquet Hall beginning at 5:15pm. Arrrrr there going to be themed snacks, drinks and give-aways? You’ll have to be there to find out! And don’t worry, I will have lots and lots of bad Pirate jokes waiting for you!
Keep an eye on your email and social media for the invite and be sure to RSVP!
Treasure Island Performance Schedule:
Feb. 4 & 11: 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 & 12: 3 p.m.
Feb. 6 & 13: 3 p.m.
Spring 2022 Fundraising Event
Members of the AECT board are in the planning stage for a super-secret-spring event. We can’t wait to bring you a special opportunity to hear live music and support the All-of-Us Express Children’s Theatre. Stay tuned and we will be bring you more info very soon!!
WE NEED YOU!
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.
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!