Mueller Nicholls Builders Renews Its Support for BACT!

Mueller Nicholls Builders Renews Its Support for BACT!

For the second year in a row, Oakland-based Mueller Nicholls Builders, a construction and cabinetry company known for elegant new homes, meticulous remodels, and superb cabinetry, is supporting Bay Area Children’s Theatre (BACT) as our Season Sponsor. 

All of us at BACT are grateful to Mueller Nicholls for its ongoing, generous sponsorship, which enables us to bring live theatre inspired by great children’s literature to Bay Area families. As a small nonprofit organization, we depend on support from the community. We cannot thank Mueller Nicholls enough for understanding that the arts are critically important for our culture and for the next generation!

You may recall Steve Nicholls, CEO and founder of Mueller Nicholls Builders and his charming pre-show speeches at some of our productions last season.  We will honor him and Mueller Nicholls at our first annual Donor Appreciation Party celebrating the launch of BACT’s ninth season on Sunday, September 9.

Tales of Olympus Reading

Hello everyone!

I am super excited to be guest-blogging for BACT this week, as I have a ridiculous amount of amazing things to say about BACT’s upcoming new work, The Tales of Olympus: A Greek Myth Musical.

But let me back up for a minute….

My name is Megan Fitzgerald, I am a college Sophomore home for the summer, and am lucky enough to be interning with BACT.

When Nina first sent me the dates of the rehearsals for the Tales of Olympus workshop, I had no idea what I was getting myself into…and I was quite confused that there were only four rehearsals. The cast started rehearsing last Tuesday night, and by Sunday afternoon they presented the workshop to a small audience in Berkeley. How could anyone pull together a show in such a short amount of time?

However, once I saw what this incredible team of talented theatre-artists was doing, I wished I was going to get to sit though more nights of rehearsal. However, in the mere four rehearsals I saw, I learned more than I ever imagined I would about the process of work shopping a new musical (and Greek myths!)

Min Kahng has written a script that is inventive, clever, and entertaining for kids, adults, and even picky college students like myself. I was completely enthralled by every one of his creative characters and their stories. With little experience in Children’s Theatre, I was definitely not expecting well-developed and vivid characters. However, I was incredibly impressed by the depth Kahng has written into each one.

Kahng’s lyrics and music are also sure to take you on a journey not only to Mount Olympus (the home of the Gods) but also through various genres and styles of music history. In just 90 minutes Kahn explores styles of rap, a capella, samba, ballad, and of course inspiring hero songs. Each new number introduces something we haven’t heard yet musically, and also tells another tale of Olympus. I found myself rocking out to stories like Pandora’s Box, and the tale of how Zeus became king.

With a superb script copied and stapled, and a director as talented as the lovely Emily Morison signed on, all this workshop needed was a brilliant cast to complete our journey to Mount Olympus. I’m sure regular subscribers to BACT shows are not surprised to hear that, yet again, the company has hit the jack pot and found a collection of local superstars to give life and truth to these roles.  The Gods of Olympus, featuring Calliope, Hermes, Athena, Aphrodite, and Zeus, each have their own distinct personality.  The actors rose to the occasion, bringing their own dynamic to this kooky version of Mount Olympus. Jason, the sixth and final character, is a twelve-year-old boy, who considers himself nerdy and unimportant. However, Calliope, the goddess of epic poetry, has faith in Jason to be the new Bard of Mount Olympus’s forgotten Greek Myths. I had the pleasure of seeing this cast interact with writer, Kahng and director, Emily Morrison, collaborating together to figure out who these characters they are. Seeing how much thought and creativity went into creating this wacky gang of characters was really inspiring to see as a hopeful, young, theatre-artist.

Sunday brought around a magnificent workshop, and a very enthusiastic crowd! In just a few days, this team created wonderful, new, and inventive children’s theatre, enjoyable for families aged 2 to 92. Tales of Olympus will officially debut in BACT’s season this December, and I cannot recommend it enough. The team working behind the project is absolutely brilliant, and everyone in the family can get something out of it. Whether you are looking for fun, colorful characters, or an education on Greek mythology, you can find it on Mount Olympus!

Behind the Scenes at BACT: Click Clack Moo Rehearsal

Click Clack Moo - Cows That Type, 

is opening at Fairyland this Saturday, July 7. 

I went to a rehearsal Thursday night to see how things are coming along. 

The rehearsals for this show are being help at the Arpeggio Building in downtown Berkeley. When I arrived, they were just getting started with a run through of the show. The stage manager, Christina, briefed the actors on how the run was going to go - ideally without stopping, to get an accurate sense of how long the show is, and because we are so near to opening.

The run went great! The show is in wonderful condition to open this weekend - the actors were solid on their lines and their blocking. There were a few moments of traffic pattern confusion on stage where Christina had to call out and help them, but for the most part everything went smoothly. The dance numbers and songs were sounding really good, and when they have more space to spread out - on the Fairyland stage - it will all come together beautifully. The show is Adorable!

Director Erin Merritt seemed happy with where the show was as well. It is always fun to see a show this far along - there are still costumes to add in, microphones to work with, props to add, but the foundation is laid, and what is left is the details. There is still plenty of work to do, but for just over a week from opening, it's good to see we have yet another crowd pleaser to share with the Fairyland audiences. 

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Official Show Blurb:

Farmer Brown's cows are c-c-c-cold. They'd like cozy electric blankets. But how to tell him? Eureka! They discover an old typewriter in the barn, and start sending him notes. Farmer Brown finds the click clack of the typewriter annoying, but he doesn't take it seriously…until the cows post a rebellious note on the barn door: "Sorry. We're closed. No milk today." Uh, oh, how will barnyard peace be restored? Come find out, in this delightful musical adaptation of the Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin.

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Oakland Children's Fairyland
7 Jul 2012 - 5 Aug 2012

www.bactheatre.org

BACT History: Spotlight on - Creative

Min Kahng has been working with BACT since 2008. As you can see below, he wears many hats for the company. We love working with Min for his dedication, creativity, and well rounded approach to theater and everything he does. Below are his thoughts on working with BACT as a writer and director of the YEP Teen program. 

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BACT: You have been involved with BACT in many different capacites - YEP Teen Program Director, Marketing Coordinator, Writer/Composer - is there one you enjoy most? Any reason? 

Min: That's a tough one to answer because there's obviously an aspect to each of these that I enjoy - otherwise I wouldn't be doing it.  The writing/composing is probably the most exciting right now because I get to create and introduce something new into greater landscape of theater.  I get to make my mark, however big or small it is, with my own story and style. I find that very empowering and energizing.

BACT: What aspect of a musical production do you enjoy the most (working with the kids on the singing, playing the music? etc) 

Min: I think I ultimately enjoy when all the pieces come together and work to effectively tell the story. For me, you can have great singing, acting and dancing, but that does not lend itself to great storytelling. I never want to lose track of the heart of the story I'm trying to tell. I love being able to find those moments with these children and shift their focus from self-focused performance to collaborative storytelling.

BACT: What aspect do you think the kids enjoy the most?

Min: The obvious answer is that kids love to put on shows for their friend and families.  But there are also kids who understand the gratification of getting better at their craft, whether it be acting, singing, dancing or stagecraft. There are also kids who might be more shy and reserved who I've seen come out of their shell. They gain confidence and find that they have something to contribute to the production, and I believe they find this very gratifying, which is why they return to our program.

BACT: Have you written many original works before?

Min: Yes.  In college I wrote a series of skits and short plays for a performing group I was a part of. I've also written many original songs that could be classified as pop pieces.  Basically, there hasn't been a period in my life when I wasn't creating something.  My first musical project was a 30-minute high school video project in which I adapted Nathanial Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter."  My first full-length musical was called "The Plans of Theodore Crumb," and I literally produced it with no budget by asking friends to pitch-in and make it happen.  However, my first serious musical theatre project is called "The Nightingale" based upon the Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale of the same name.  This show had a staged reading in November 2010 and is slated for a possible local production in 2013.

BACT: Your show Tales of Olympus: A Greek Myth Musical - is making its world premiere next season. What are some of the challenges with writing a play geared toward children versus adults? Is one more fun?

Min: There are certainly some aspects where writing for children is easier.  Children are more willing to take imaginative leaps with a play, so if I all of a sudden announce that we are flying off to Mount Olympus, kids will follow that without a blink.  Adults need a lot more exposition and explanation of the fantasy of a story, so we can process it and figure out how it works. Perhaps the most difficult thing about writing a work for children is speaking at their level without "dumbing it down." When children are talked down to, they can sense it and the work immediately gets relegated into "baby" stuff.

BACT: Do you get nervous when starting work on one of your own shows?

No. I love the concept work behind a show.  I would say my process is two-pronged. There's the free-thinking side of it where ideas will come to me on the fly while I'm driving or just going about my day. I'll try to write these down or record them as I go. Then there's the methodical process where I will sit down and pull together those loose ideas and put it through a rigorous outline.  I follow outlines lined out by Aaron Frankel's "Writing the Broadway Musical" and Lajos Egri's "The Art of Dramatic Writing" to help me establish the heart of the show and the hearts of its characters. It's hard work, but it's a lot of fun.
Actually, what I think makes me most nervous is when I actually have to present what I've worked on to others, because up until that point I work in a bubble. It's tough when that bubble is penetrated by others who I am now giving permission to comment and critique.  It's necessary, but it always puts me on edge to have someone scrutinize my "babies."

BACT: Thank you so much, Min, for your thoughtful answers. We love working with you in all aspects, and we can’t wait for Tales of Olympus!

EBCF Mission Accomplished!

Thanks to You, 

We’ve Matched Our EBCF Challenge Grant!

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped us match our $8,000 challenge grant from the East Bay Community Foundation (EBCF)! With your generous support, children in the East Bay and beyond will have the opportunity to learn more about Greek mythology!

We are deeply honored to receive an EBCF matching grant for the second year in a row, and we could not have succeeded without the enthusiastic support of families and friends who enjoy our shows and understand the importance of the arts for children. Thank you, all!

The EBCF grant is awarded as part of the East Bay Fund for Artists matching grant program to support artists in the Bay Area, engage the community, and create new works for East Bay audiences and organizations.

BACT will use the grant to develop Tales of Olympus: A Greek Myth Musical, with book, music, and lyrics by BACT artistic associate Min Kahng of Castro Valley. The new play will be an upbeat romp that will introduce children to the intriguing adventures of ancient Greek gods and goddesses, both familiar and obscure.

Tales of Olympus: A Greek Myth Musical will open December 8 at Berkeley Rep’s new Osher Theatre, adjacent to Freight & Salvage, before going on tour to local schools in January and February, with support from the Clorox Company Foundation.

BACT History - Spotlight on - Audience!

Audience Members Victoria Zackheim and her twin granddaughters have been coming to shows at BACT since our days at the Julia Morgan. They are enthusiastic audience participants who have gone out of their way to be in touch with the BACT community. Below, Victoria answers some questions about being involved with BACT with her granddaughters. 

BACT: What brought you to BACT in the first place? What has kept you coming back to the shows?

VZ: I came because I wanted to share theater with my granddaughters, who were age 6 when we first subscribed. I didn't see anything equal to BACT in San Francisco, where I live, or in Pacifica, where they live, and the selected plays seemed perfect for their age.

BACT: What was the first show you and your granddaughters saw together?

VZ: After multiple seasons, who remembers?! But I do know that they were mesmerized, and thrilled to meet the actors. The girls stay with me often and have their own bedroom at my house...the walls are literally covered with signed posters from your shows.

BACT: Have you noticed a change in the shows over time, since the Julia Morgan days until now?

VZ: They seem more professional...but we've loved them all.

BACT: What's the favorite show you've seen, and why?

VZ: The new show, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, was delightful. Also, The Magic School Bus. And we loved Strega Nona.

BACT: What aspects of the shows do you like best (costumes, sets, acting, singing dancing…?)

VZ: The singing and dancing are delightful, and have become increasingly professional. With the expanded stage, the musical numbers are even more impressive.

BACT: What would you say to someone who had never seen a BACT show before and was wondering about them?

VZ: I'd strongly encourage them to buy the season pass and expect something wonderful!

BACT: Any additional thoughts or comments?

VZ: This will probably be our last season, since the girls are "aging out" of the age range...they're ready for more complicated and "teen" productions. Unfortunately, there are very few choices. Perhaps you could start another theatre company for children 10-15?

 

From Sohpia Law – Victoria’s granddaughter: My sister and I enjoyed Pinkalicious because of all the sparkles that the actors wore. If I were to say to someone why they should come (to the theater,) I'd say because it's a great place for kids and the age ranges from like 3-9.  When I'm there, all the kids seem to enjoy the plays.

CHILDREN'S THEATER ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!

BACT: A History - Spotlight on - Volunteer Ushers

BACT was founded on little more than a dream and a few dedicated company members, followed immediately by the volunteers, who have been the core of BACT’s success from our beginning. Because of the unique nature of our shows and audiences, volunteers are often adult/child pairs, especially when it comes to ushering. These amazing participants are the face of BACT – they bridge the link from behind the scenes to front of house, from audience to staff – and show others just how fun volunteering can be.

Anna Marie Schmidt and Abby Roat have been volunteering as ushers for BACT since 2007. In an exclusive interview, they share their experience being part of the BACT Front of House team.

BACT: You've been ushering for BACT (then Active Arts) since our first full season - What made you decide to start ushering?

Anna Marie/Abby: We first went to a production of Dragon Wings (February 2007) and enjoyed it.  We wanted to continue to go to the performances and participate in helping with the production in some small way.  Also, we get in free! Ushering seemed like the perfect fit. We have come as a mother-daughter team and usually bring another interested friend of Abby’s.

BACT: What changes in the BACT audiences/community since the early days at Julia Morgan have you observed?

Anna Marie/Abby: The shows appear to have audience appeal and the theater is full more often.  Abby notes that the audience is getting younger-but maybe that’s because she is getting older.

BACT: What's fun about being an usher? Is anything difficult about it?

Anna Marie/Abby: What’s fun about being an usher is being able to participate in a small way in the production.  It’s fun to work with the staff and other volunteers.  It’s also fun to see the excitement of the children as they come in to the theater to see the show. What has been difficult is controlling the audience. When BACT was housed at Julia Morgan, sometimes it was hard to keep patrons from taking in food/drinks.

BACT: Think back - what is the Favorite show you worked on?

Anna Marie/Abby: One of my favorites was Strega Nona. (Anna Marie). And one of my favorites was Miss Nelson is Missing (Abby) 

BACT: What would you say to other people if they are wondering about being an usher?

Anna Marie/Abby: It’s easy and fun.  Show your interest and come out to help and be a part of the theater world.

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To volunteer as an usher, or otherwise get involved with BACT, visit our website:

http://www.bactheatre.org/employment.html