.- |
.- |
Westmoreland Players Hold Celebration of Successful Year
Callao, Va: August 30th, 2010. An enthusiastic, 100-strong gathering of Westmoreland Players members heard their theatre company likened to a "steady ship set on a steady course" during the annual business meeting held Sunday August 29th. Others chose a metaphor from the business world "We are the kind of business many businesses would like to be," Players Treasurer Robert Crown said reviewing the just completed financial year. Crown alluded to the positive bank balance, and the near completion of a massive $300,000 renovation project which in the past year has brought new seating, new accommodations, an art-deco lobby and a modernized sound and lighting system.. The group was still glowing about the recent success of "Annie" which experienced sold-out seats throughout its run - with an extra night thrown in. But the just-finished Season (the Players ‘year’ runs from September 1st to August 31st) also included critical successes in its three other ‘main-stage’ plays as well as breakthroughs in its Performing Arts Series, which seeks to bring artists from music, dance and drama to the Northern Neck. As usual, gratitude was expressed to the large body of volunteers who yearly make contributions to Players activities. This year three new "1,000" hour member pins were awarded to Jan Beall, Bruce Lawyer and David Harvey for their efforts. But many others were recognized for a broad range of contributions ranging from set design to baking the popular treats offered at the shows. Following membership elections Brian Tilbury, Robert Crown and Jason Strong were tapped to serve three years each on the Players Board. Tilbury is currently serving as the Players President. "This has been a tremendously successful year," he said. "It’s a steady ship. Let’s keep going on course." The annual meeting is also the time the main-stage plays for the next Season are unveiled. Here the planned plays and dates:
Westmoreland Players Name Scholarship Recipients Callao, Va August 30th, 2010.The Westmoreland Players shared their annual $1,000 scholarship award for the 2009 - 2010 Season with their two theater interns at this year's Annual Membership meeting, held August 29th. Katelynn ("Kat") Lemons and Michael Travis have spent the summer working with the Players. Both were heavily involved with the production of "Annie", Lemons working on the costumes, while Travis served as Lighting Director. Both are students at Radford University, Va., where Lemons is taking a BS in Fashion Design, and Travis is a Theater major.
Players Auditorium to be named after Mason and Lula Cole The auditorium within our theatre building will be named 'The Mason and Lula Cole Auditorium' in memory of two ardent supporters of The Players. The Coles were very important in the acquisition of our present building in the late 1990's. The Players receive on-going money gifts from their wills and trust. In grateful recognition of this donation, a suitable plaque will be installed when the building renovation is completed.
The Next Stage Campaign renovation status Work progresses on the building renovation, much of it done by our skilled volunteers. If you can help out, contact Skip Tilley (529-9461). Skip has a crew in the theatre most mornings working not only on the renovation but also building the set for the next production. After this show closes, they will move their efforts back into the Lobby to install the suspended ceiling and work on the new men's toilet. Reminder: If you pledged to the Next Stage Campaign, your 2010 donation is now due - and thanks! If you didn't pledge - it's never too late! We couldn't do this renovation without your donations, and also your loyal support buying tickets to our shows!
Seat Plaque Program About 70 of the 124 seats now bear a plaque ordered by friends who made a tax deductible donation of $175 to the Building Fund. Reading the plaques is a peek into the lives of our audience - the memorial plaques to departed loved ones, the celebration of new lives, the love of theatre and The Players, and the appreciation expressed for our volunteers. Won't you add your own personal expression by ordering a plaque? Order forms are available in the Lobby or talk to Brian Tilbury or Robert Crown.
Where are you now? Please tell us! Over 2200 ticket flyers are mailed out for every production at a cost approaching $400 for printing and mailing. Many bounce back because of a bad address and we have to pay the Post Office again. So please inform The Players promptly of postal or e-mail address changes. Easy to do! Send e-mail to info@westmorelandplayers.org , call 804-529-9345, or update your info on the ticket flyer and check the 'new address' block.
Spring Cleaning? We'll take your stuff! Donations of vintage clothing and furniture to the Costume and Prop department are always welcome. Call 529-9345 and let us know what you have. Donations may be tax deductible and we'll arrange pick-up.
Sound and Lights Upgrade! Look at the walls directly to the left and right of the stage (in theatre lingo, that's the proscenium) and you will see two new speakers. They are part of the improved sound system bought at a cost of about $1800. We also bought a state-of-the-art computerized control board for the stage lighting for about $4,500. All to improve your theatre-going experience! And volunteers are always needed to train on this equipment. If you would like to visit the tech booth after the show, just ask - the techies love to show off their new toys! ###
.-
|
.-
|
|
