Howdy from the Minnewaska Showstoppers
We just wrapped up our winter dinner theater collaboration with Lakeside. We had a great time and I survived my first time directing. The weather cooperated and so did the new equipment that we were able to purchase thanks to a grant from the Lake Region Arts Council. We needed to replace our decades-old 500 watt stage lighting as the replacement bulbs have gotten hard-to-come by. The new LED lights are capable of so much more than the old ones: instead of having to pick one color for each light for the entire production, each light is able to switch colors across the light spectrum including black light for some awesome effects. In addition to those benefits, the new LEDS are much more energy efficient, lighter, and safer to operate (since they’re cool to touch). We are so glad that the appropriation from the Legacy amendment sales tax is helping improve the quality of our productions.
We want to extend a big thanks to all the community members who made the event possible- from the cast, the crew, the Showstoppers and National Honor Society students who helped prompt. Thanks to Jill and Chef Jeff and the rest of staff at Lakeside for their help and hospitality. And thank you to all of you who came out and enjoyed the evening with us. After weeks of practice, it’s so different, and so much fun to have people laugh at all the jokes and nonsense we have been working on.
We are now starting preparations for the upcoming summer show: Newsies! Stay tuned for exciting updates to come with that production.
Before that really gets underway, though, we’ll be working on our next murder mystery dinner collaborations with Rolling Forks Vineyards. I just received word that the Murder at the Deadwood Saloon is sold out, but we have one more event coming up before the end of April. You’ll be able to find out more on our website: www.minnewaskashowstoppers.org, our Facebook page, and www.rollingforksvineyards.com/events
Before I sign off for this time, I want to be sure to mention that the Minnewaska One Act team (comprised of 7-12 grade MAHS students) will be having a public performance of their show Tracks on Sunday, February 16th at the MAHS Auditorium. Hope to see you there to support our youth in the arts!
