Extra, Extra! : 24 Hour Theater is Sure to EXCITE and THRILL
Calling all writers, performers, & directors! What is more exciting than seeing a play go from a mere thought, to words on a page, and then step by step brought to life on stage? That would be writing and producing a performance in just 24 hours!!
Beginning the evening of October 6th, the participating writers, actors, and directors will have 24 to write, rehearse, and set the stage for a one of a kind performance at 7pm on Saturday October 7th.
Absolutely no experience is necessary! This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with other artists to create a 60-90 minute performance within 24 hours. The production will consist of a series of short plays where the length and number of plays will be determined by the number of participants.
What also makes this 24 hour theater event so unique is it requires artists with a variety of skills. If you have never written, acted, or directed before, you will have the opportunity to try something new, surrounded by a group of creative and inspiring individuals.
Here is a breakdown of the 24 hour event:
Friday, October 6th at 7pm: All writers, actors, and directors will report to the theater. Between 2 to 5 actors, along with a director, will be randomly assigned to a group of writers. The evening will include ice-breakers to kickstart the creative process! After these activities, the writers will begin crafting short plays. But the writers will only have until 7am!
Saturday, October 7th from 7am – 7pm: It will be the day to hit the ground running! Production will be in full swing with rehearsing and memorizing lines, finding props and costumes, and managing technical aspects like lighting and sound cues.
Then, drum roll please….. 7pm Saturday evening the plays will be ready to perform for audiences!
What are you waiting for? Click this link to sign up NOW!
Tickets for viewing the final performance will be on sale SOON!
Whether you are completely new to the world of auditioning, or just wanting to brush up on your auditioning etiquette, this guide is for you!
The key to a successful audition is to PREPARE for your audition!
The very first question to ask yourself is, “Can I commit to the rehearsal schedule and dates of the performances?”. Prior to the audition, please reach out to ask any questions! ASPI can be very accommodating, so it is best to be up front with any potential scheduling conflicts. Please contact the theater via email at theater.aspi@gmail.com or by calling 920-826-5852.
Once you have identified if you can commit to the rehearsal schedule and performance dates, you will need to decide which auditioning date you will be attending. The next step will be to fill out the necessary paperwork via a Google Form. If you fill it out ahead of time, you skip the line on the day of auditions. The Google Form link is provided via social media posts and email about 3 weeks prior to auditions. If you would like to get on our email list, call or email the contact information listed above.
Prior to the audition, it is very important to pick out the right auditioning outfit (including shoes!). Your clothes should be comfortable, something you can dance in! Think tennis shoes. Items to avoid include: skirts, dresses, sandals, heels, dress shoes.
Now that you’ve picked out the right outfit, next up is to choose the right audition song based upon the style of the musical. The day of the audition you will be asked to sing 16-32 bars of a song (about 1 minute).
Tips for choosing the right audition song:
Consult the Spotify playlist (shared via social media posts and email 3 weeks prior to auditions)
Don’t sing a song from the musical you are auditioning for
Don’t sing a pop song
Do choose a song that fits your voice type
Find a karaoke track to sing along with
Leading up to your audition, be sure to research the show you are auditioning for. This includes what the show is about and the character(s) you are interested in.
The preparation for your audition doesn’t end there! PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
Practice the monologue provided (if you are auditioning for a speaking role) and understand what the monologue means. Your research will help you channel the character! And while you are practicing, ask yourself, “What will make me stand out?”.
You’ve spent the time preparing, researching, and practicing for your audition. Now you’ve reached the day of the audition! As an auditionee you want to exude professionalism, confidence, and courtesy.
Your professionalism will show through in how you behave before, during, and after the audition. A good example of this is being aware of your surroundings and conversations in the lobby. While waiting in the lobby for your turn to audition, please be quiet and respectful of those auditioning before and after you.
Did you know that we make our first impressions within the first 3 seconds of seeing someone? So walk into the audition with CONFIDENCE! It’s totally ok to be nervous (it’s a good thing)! Casting directors want to love you! So take your time, have fun, and turn that nervous energy into positive energy.
At the start of the audition, introduce yourself and state what role you are auditioning for (if applicable) and what song you will be singing (name the song and the musical it is from).
And at the end of the audition, be sure to say THANK YOU to the audition panel.
Phew! Your audition is done, now what?? ASPI would like to share a few words of wisdom to consider while you are waiting to hear back.
When choosing a cast, it’s not about talent, it’s about preference. What do we mean by that? The director is choosing an ENTIRE cast. You can be the best singer, the best dancer, the best actor- however not be a good fit for the role. For example, you may not be the right look for the role, the wrong gender, or the wrong age. You may also not be a good fit with the other counterpart you will be on stage with (ex: a husband and wife need to be somewhat the same age, or kids need to be the age specific).
Waiting is hard and rejection is difficult, and it is important to acknowledge that not every audition will go the way we think it will. But success will come with practice and training!
ASPI looks forward to welcoming all the young actors and actresses, singers, and entertainers! For any upcoming auditions, please contact the theater with any questions. Email: theater.aspi@gmail.com
Box Office Phone #: 920-826-5852.
“Think of every audition as a chance to perform and you will have fun doing it.”
With nearly $20,000 in grants from two local foundations, Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. has the necessary funds to purchase a state-of-the-art theater sound system. The Greater Green Bay Community Foundation contributed $10,000, and the Leon H. and Clymene M. Bond Foundation awarded the remaining $9,900 of the theater’s Can You Hear Me Now? project. The sound system will enhance the theater experience of the cast, crew, and audience, including older adults and individuals with hearing impairments. According to Bond Foundation executive director Jennifer Hanna, the project was selected for funding because of the theater’s significance in the community. “The foundation’s board of directors recognized Abrams Spotlight Productions as a great creative outlet for the local community as well as an entertainment venue for people of all ages,” she said. “The board was also impressed with the dedication and hard work of the many volunteers who are responsible for the success of Abrams Spotlight Productions. The board felt that the sound system will also allow Abrams Spotlight Productions to better serve the community.” The grants cover the purchase of a sound board, amplifier, speakers and microphones. Additionally, ASPI will install a hearing assisted sound loop system that works wirelessly with people’s hearing aids. Bill Koehne, president of Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc., said the community theater was grateful to be selected for the grants, because the current sound system is past its useful life. “When the sound board failed during ‘White Christmas’ rehearsals in 2022, we scrambled to find a solution. Luckily, we could borrow a sound board from another theater. But that wasn’t a long-term solution,” he said. “When a speaker failed this year during rehearsals for ‘Gypsy,’ it was just another indication that our theater needed a new sound system.” Volunteers will provide the labor to install the sound system, saving the theater an estimated $3,000. Carpenters, electricians, and ASPI volunteers will pull wire, groove the hardwood floor for the sound loop, and install and connect the system. “A new sound system will really make a big difference,” Koehne said. “When performers’ voices are too quiet or overpowered by music, it’s hard for the audience to follow the storyline. The new sound system and hearing loop enables everyone to fully enjoy a show.”
A visit to the theater is a full immersive experience! You sit in a seat and are transported by actors and musical numbers. Did you know that not only can you see local talent at ASPI, but you can also rent the theater for your own weddings and events?!
Three different wedding packages are available! Something to meet every need:
Ceremony Package
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Package
Reception Package
See more details below! Other specialized packages available and inquiries can be made at the box office.
AND renting the theater for non-wedding events has also become quite popular! Need a space for a business gathering, a baby shower, a birthday party? The rental includes use of the sounds and lights (with a volunteer to run them), and the concession stand, with all proceeds going to the theater. There is an hourly rate, so please call the Box Office to inquire!
We invite you to Be Our Guest and put our service to the test! Please call the Box Office at (920) 826-5854 with any questions.
Wedding Package Guide:
Ceremony Package – $500
Rental Time: Two (2) hour rehearsal, Four (4) hours day-of ceremony
Capacity: 10-160 guests
Includes:
One (1) hour consultation with one of our private event coordinators
One (1) attendant during your rehearsal, three (3) attendants during the ceremony
Chair set-up and take-down in any configuration you wish
Use of sound system – compatible with phones, tablets, or computers
Specialized lighting designed to fit your color theme – or to make your entrance more theatrical!
“Ceremony Manager” – who will cue/operate any music and/or lights
Use of our facility and grounds for your photos (must be done within your rental time)
Bridal suite area backstage for bridal party to get ready (groomsmen area also available)
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Package – $700
Rental Time: Two (2) hour rehearsal, six (6) hours day of ceremony*
Capacity: 10 – 160 guests
Includes:
Everything from Ceremony Package
Two (2) hours post ceremony for a pre-reception cocktail hour
Wine, Beer, Wine Coolers & snacks sold by our concession stand in the back of the auditorium (please see our Concession Menu for our full offering)
Reception Package – $900
Rental Time: 4pm – Midnight*
Capacity: up to 150 (seated)
Includes:
One (1) hour consultation with one of our private event coordinators
Three (3) attendants during the ceremony
Use of sound system – compatible with phones, tablets, or computers
Specialized lighting designed to fit your color theme, or to make your entrance more theatrical!
“Ceremony Manager” – who will cue/operate any music and/or lights
Use of our facility and grounds for your photos (must be done within your rental time)
Wine, beer, wine coolers, and snacks sold by our concession stand in the back of the auditorium (please see our Concession Menu for our full offering)
Ability to add on a Ceremony outside for $250 – please ask your coordinator for more details
*All decoration and clean up must be done within your rental time, additional rental time is available for $50/hour for the first two (2) hours and $100/hour after that.
(Please note that the above mentioned rates are current as of June 2023)
🎶You’ll be swell, you’ll be great. Gonna have the whole world on the plate. Starting here, starting now, Honey, everything’s coming up roses.🎵
Director – Ali Carlson
To kick off the theater’s 20th season, ASPI proudly presents Gypsy: A Musical Fable, with seasoned ASPI actor Ali Carlson making her directorial debut!
Being raised in a theater family, Ali got her start at the young age of 5. Her father was a Technical Director by profession and her mother was a director. Ali looks forward to following in her mother’s footsteps, which she knows are big shoes to fill!
Ali’s first involvement with ASPI was in 2011 for Seussical the Musical and her most recent role was as Judy in the 2022 production of White Christmas. When she’s not enchanting audiences, Ali is a Care Management Supervisor for Lakeland Care Inc.
While Gypsy will be Ali’s directing debut, she did try her hand at directing back in 2020. Well, we all know what happened then, COVID. The desire to direct deepened despite the challenging times! Ali is very much looking forward to seeing her vision come to life!
She is also enjoying the opportunity to bring her expertise, both in acting AND choreography, to the cast! For this production there are technically “two” casts, one being the young kids in the beginning and the second being their adult counterparts. So Ali is working with the best of both worlds! She shares that the talent in this production is incredible and everyone is so dedicated. There is also a camaraderie between the cast and everyone involved that it is truly so welcoming.
Straight from the director herself, there is much for the audience to look forward to! The musical is inspired by the American burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose and her mother, “the ultimate show business mother.” While the musical will introduce audiences to the entertainment of vaudeville and burlesque, the musical is a comedy! With its humor and recognizable songs, Gypsy is sure to delight and entertain you!
🎵Curtain up. Light the lights. We got nothing to hit but the heights.
🎶Gypsy: A Musical Fable will be on the ASPI stage March 16-18 & 23-25 at 7pm and March 19 & 26 at 1pm. Buy your tickets now! Tickets can be purchased at abramsspotlightproductions.com. Please call the Box Office at (920) 826-5852 with any questions.
This March, ASPI will proudly present Gypsy: A Musical Fable! Considered by many as the greatest American musical, Gypsy is based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, an American burlesque entertainer and striptease artist. Gypsy and her sister made their start in vaudeville, but after her sister’s elopement Gypsy pursued burlesque. Gypsy was known for the elegance and wit she brought to her act. The story goes that her act reached new heights when one of her gown’s shoulder straps gave out and the dress fell down. She was encouraged by the audience’s reactions and decided to make it part of her act. Her style was considered subtle in comparison to other burlesque acts.
In Gypsy: A Musical Fable, audiences will see entertainer Gypsy transition from the vaudeville circuit and blossom into a burlesque star. Like the song “You Gotta Get a Gimmick”, Gypsy has to discover her own “gimmick”, what it will take to set her apart and be a successful strip tease artist.
🎶“So get yourself a gimmick and you, too, Can be a star!”🎶
Gypsy was one of the biggest stars of Minsky’s Burlesque in New York City and she performed with their company for four years. In a world of prohibition and the enforcement of moral convictions, for Minsky to keep their burlesque license, shows needed to be kept clean enough to prevent being raided by the police but risque enough to draw in audiences. Minsky’s was also a competing force with the vaudeville circuit.
Through the life of Gypsy, audiences will see the fading of vaudeville and the rise of burlesque. Vaudeville began in 19th century France and was popular in the United States in the 1880s until the 1930s. It was a form of variety entertainment where multiple separate acts would come together on one playbill. The show could include comedians, clowns, celebrities, magicians, dancers, musicians, ventriloquists, and so much more!
Once considered the heart of American show business, vaudeville was joined in the entertainment industry by burlesque. In 1868 a British burlesque troupe visited New York, Lydia Thompson and the “British Blondes”. The troupe was such a success, the American burlesque emerged. Shows “consisted of three parts: first, songs and ribald comic sketches by low comedians; second, assorted olios and male acts, such as acrobats, magicians and solo singers; and third, chorus numbers and sometimes a burlesque in the English style on politics or a current play. The entertainment was usually concluded by an exotic dancer or a wrestling or boxing match.”
Burlesques were hosted in clubs, cabarets, music halls, and theaters, and its height of popularity in the United States ran from the 1860s and into the 1940s. (Perhaps audiences will recall the performance of burlesque in APSI’s 2018 production of Cabaret!)
Reviving the art of burlesque is notable performer Dita Von Teese. Ms. Von Teese recently made a cameo appearance as the Fairy Goddess in Taylor Swift’s music video for “Bejeweled”, which features Von Teese’s signature martini glass act. Her other signature acts include: The Opium Den, Le Bain Noir, and The Champagne Glass. Her acts are noted for their elaborate dance shows with many characters and props, from a carousel horse to a gigantic powder compact. Von Teese’s fan dance features the world’s largest feather fans!
🎵Let us entertain you, let us make you smile!🎵 Gypsy: A Musical Fable will be on the ASPI stage March 16-18 & 23-25 at 7pm and March 19 & 26 at 1pm. Buy your tickets now! It’s sure to be a real good time! 🎶 Tickets can be purchased at abramsspotlightproductions.com. Please call the Box Office at (920) 826-5852 with any questions.
From its origins in the Abrams Town Hall, to the 2007 purchase of the church on Maple Street, ASPI is entering into its 20th season strong!
Ali Carlson, ASPI Board Secretary, remembers her first encounter with the theater and its impact in her life. Her story is like the stories told by so many other volunteers who found a second home at the theater.
“I remember walking into the theater for my first production, Seussical: The Musical. Coming from a theater background and family, I didn’t know what to expect. I was new to the community, having just moved to Little Suamico with my husband. That first show got me HOOKED! I was welcomed with open arms and never knew that this theater community could really feel like family, but also, I was able to fill my artistic cup! I still am able to fill my artistic cup! Performing, directing, and theater have always been an important part of my life, and it truly is my mission and joy to continue to bring theater to my local, rural community! So proud to be a part of ASPI and hope it continues for another 20 years!”
Brigette Finger, Board Member, tells about her experience at ASPI: “In many small towns, the local schools aren’t large enough to produce their own musicals. ASPI is so important for youth who are interested in theater, as it provides them with an opportunity to get involved and spread their wings. Anytime you join a nonprofit, you meet people who are passionate about similar things, but I believe community theater goes one level deeper. The people here at ASPI are indeed passionate about theater, but they are also welcoming, kind, dedicated, inspired and fiercely loyal. They are encouraging of all who walk in the doors of the Nancy Byng Community Theater.”
ASPI is so thankful for all of its supporters, actors, and crew. Whether you have been a supporter from the very beginning or are new to the family, your support has carried us through the highs and lows.
Despite such unprecedented challenges as the canceling of the production My Fair Lady in 2020 due to COVID restrictions, ASPI returned to the stage in September 2021 with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, an After Dark Production.
The year 2022 brought us three sensational productions: Beauty and the Beast Jr., The Foreigner, and White Christmas, and we have no intention of slowing down!
The 2023 season will include:
Gypsy – March 16, 17, 18, 19 and March 23, 24, 25, 26
Lustful Youth (an original play written by Mike Eserkaln) – June 8, 9, 10, 11 and June 15, 16, 17, 18
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jr. – November 30, December 1, 2, 3 and December 7, 8, 9, 10
The 20th season will not only bring new productions, but the theater also has an exciting new goal! By the end of 2023, ASPI has the goal of having 100 NEW Spotlight Sponsors. There are four different levels of Spotlight Sponsors with different levels of perks:
Silver Spotlight: $100 – $249
Gold Spotlight: $250 – $499
Platinum Spotlight: $500 and up
NEW! Corporate Sponsorships are available beginning at $950 per show
It is so exciting that ASPI has been successful in offering professional grade productions to Oconto County, and we are hopeful that ASPI will continue to be a staple of local theater in our community for many years to come! We also hope that the 20th season will bring new faces, patrons, and talent to the theater! Whatever your skill, ASPI has a place for you! As a nonprofit theater run completely on patronage and donations, we always need community support to keep the doors open. So, let’s keep the fantastic productions coming!
Bill Koehne, Board President, said: “ASPI isn’t just performances and shows, it’s about building a sense of community for everyone involved. Building relationships, fostering friendships, and supporting one another may not be the obvious mission of a theater organization, but it’s an important element of ASPI.”
Be sure to follow Abrams Spotlight Productions on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube so that you never miss an update!
You are never too old to have a Christmas list! It’s just that as years go by, your wants and desires change and grow with you. Our wish this Christmas is that our friends and community will experience the peace and joy of the season!
If ASPI has been a part of your family traditions, may we make a humble holiday request?
The New Year will be, drum roll please… ASPI’s 20th SEASON! The 20th season will not only bring new productions, but the theater also has an exciting new goal! By the end of 2023, ASPI has the goal of having 100 NEW Spotlight Sponsors. There are four different levels of Spotlight Sponsors with different levels of perks:
Silver Spotlight: $100 – $249
Acknowledgement in the program/website
Early access to tickets
Gold Spotlight: $250 – $499
Acknowledgement in the program/website
Early access to tickets
2 free tickets to each show
1 drink voucher per show
Picture with the leads of the show on stage
Platinum Spotlight: $500 and up
Acknowledgement in the program/website
Early access to tickets
4 free tickets to each show
2 drink vouchers per show
Picture with the leads of the show on stage
Dedicated parking
Invitation to attend a rehearsal
NEW! Corporate Sponsorships are available beginning at $950 per show
ASPI’s next capital project is to replace the theater’s roof. Our campaign “Raise the Roof” seeks to raise $30,000 to fund the project! Already the theater is counting their blessings as the Oconto Falls Lioness Club has generously donated $1,000 to kick-start the campaign. Plus, all proceeds from the December 6th performance of White Christmas went to the “Raise the Roof” campaign”. Tickets for the performance sold out in 72 hours!
This season, please consider including ASPI in your holiday planning, whether it be through a sponsorship or donation amount of your choosing. You can visit https://abramsspotlightproductions.com/ to set up your donation or call the Box Office at (920) 826-5852 to discuss the program that best fits you.
From our ASPI family to yours, we wish you the merriest of Christmases and a blessed New Year! We look forward to welcoming you to the theater in 2023!
Let’s look back at ASPI’s 2018 production of this enduring musical
