S POTLIGHT T

THE
Editor: Pat Boera
SPOTLIGHT
Web Site: www.lyrictheatrevt.org · Email: [email protected]
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S ARTICLE
By Syndi Zook
Lyric celebrated the close of its 40th season at the Eagles
Club in South Burlington on Saturday, September 13th, and
we had a blast. As a non-profit, Lyric is required by law to
hold an Annual Meeting each year, but if we can combine a
little “show” with the “business” we always do. Many thanks
to Serena Magnan O’Connell and the Membership Committee for once again coordinating a terrific night. Board Chair,
Stephen Kendall, and Treasurer, Nanette Stevens, presented
the Annual Report (which can be found on the Lyric website)
and noted that the organization is in good fiscal health. Last
season’s productions of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat and Les Misérables brought over 16,000 people
into the Flynn Theatre! Les Miz now holds the record for the
most ticket sales for a Lyric production with 11,189 seats
occupied.
The Stanley Greenberg Volunteer of the Year Award
was given to Sean Leach for his over 1,500 hours of service
to Lyric this year. The award was handed out by Stan himself, with kind words and humorous anecdotes. Lyric also
awarded a Lifetime Membership to Pat Boera. Pat has
contributed her talents to Lyric since she was a college
student in 1974 and has helped the organization to become
more professional in its marketing, publicity and development efforts over the years. Pat has never met a Lyric job that
she would say “no” to and her generous nature is infectious.
New Board members were welcomed to the Lyric family
and we said “good-bye” and “thanks” to Board members
who have completed their term. Following the business
portion of our meeting we indulged in a pot-luck supper and
danced the night away to DJ Travis Hathaway’s musical
madness. We thank Travis and Corey Gottfried for supplying
the music for our event and Brad Enos, Alyssa Auerbach,
and John Jacob for other technical parts of the program. So
here’s to our 40th Anniversary Season! On to the 41st!
GOOD-BYE TO NATE VENET AND PAT HEISE
As most of you already know, both wonderful members
of the office staff, Nate Venet and Pat Heise are leaving
Lyric’s employ in the month of October. Nate has been our
Administrative Assistant and Communications Manager for a
little over two years and Pat has been our Bookkeeper and
Office Manager for almost three. Pat is retiring “for good this
time” so she says and Nate is off to work for Physicians
Computer Company full time. By the time this Spotlight goes
to print we will have hired new people for their positions, but
we will never forget their valuable contribution to Lyric in
these last few years of growth and change. Both Pat and Nate
will still be working with Lyric as volunteers in the
warehouse and in the “pit.” Thank you, both!
October 2014
STANLEY GREENBERG VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
By Syndi Zook
As we congratulate Sean Leach on his recognition as
Lyric’s Volunteer of the Year, I thought it might be nice to
post a list of all of the wonderful Lyric members who have
received this award in the 14 years that Lyric has been giving
it out.
1999: Stanley Greenberg, for whom the award is named.
Stan was Lyric’s first Executive Director, a job he
performed as a volunteer.
2000: Pam Carter
2001: Pat Boera
2002: Cathie Covey
2003: Kathy Richards
2004: Tom O’Brien
2005: Wendy Naylor
2006: Freda Tutt
2007: Geri Ann Higgins
2008: Rob Parzych
2009: Belinda Emerson
2010: Cheri Forsythe
2011: Ann Vivian and Doug Viehmann
2012: Michael Tutt
2013: Sean Leach
AN UPDATE FROM THE PRODUCERS
By Kathy Richards
In August while at the auditions for The Producers I
asked myself, “Where did the summer go?” Now I find
myself asking, “What happened to September?” Hard to
believe that the cast has been working four days a week for a
month now and we are excited to have everyone coming off
book soon and moving from blocking and teaching music
and dance to actual running of scenes. But while the cast has
been busy at 7 Green Tree Drive and Fusion802, the crews
have been working their butts off at Leroy Drive. And they
can use more help!
 Set Construction meets on Tuesday, Wednesday,
and Friday nights from 6:30-9:30 p.m. They have
added some day hours and now meet as well on
Thursday and Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m.1:00 p.m. So if you are retired or know someone
who has some free time during the day and wants to
hang out with a fun bunch of guys building a set,
send them our way!
 Set Decoration can also use your help and they are
busy painting those just-built sets on Monday and
Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and Sundays
from 1:00-4:00 p.m. You don’t need to be an artist.
Even I have painted a set now and then and I always
had trouble staying inside the lines when coloring in
pre-school.
 And let’s not forget those busy sewers upstairs at
Leroy Drive putting together some awesome-looking
costumes. When you have a show within a show that
makes for a wide variety of costume needs. The
Costume crew meets on Monday and Thursday
evenings from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and Sundays from
1:00-4:00 p.m.
 We can also use help with Move-in which will take
place on Friday, November 7th. The fun begins at
8:00 a.m. at the Flynn (unless you happen to be
available to help load the truck at the warehouse the
night before).
We have 33 cast members but they say that for every
volunteer on stage there are at least four to five backstage.
Can you help us out and be on one of the 132-165 crew
members that we need? If you have any questions, feel free
to contact me at 324-5355 or [email protected].
Also for anyone interested in t-shirts, we have t-shirts
and men’s and women’s tank tops available. The
promotional wear chair Victoria Zajan will stop by rehearsals
and the warehouse in the next few weeks. Contact her
at [email protected] if you would like to purchase a
shirt.
AUDITIONS FOR LYRIC’S WINTER CABARET
By Nick Caycedo
Nick Caycedo and Ashley O’Brien present A Lyric for
the Ages: Back in Time. Using content from Lyric’s past
productions, the show will go back in time starting with
contemporary hits and ending at Lyric’s classic roots.
Breakdown: Seeking versatile singer/actors with a strong
desire and ability to work collaboratively with others. Must
be good movers with a strong musical background and stage
presence. Four to six women and four to six men will be cast.
Actors will be asked to prepare cuts from two contrasting
Broadway songs (one contemporary, one
classic. Accompanist will be provided.
Audition Dates: Saturday, October 18th, 1:00
p.m. and Monday, October 20th, 7:00 p.m.
Place: First United Methodist Church
NOTE: Must be 16 years old to audition at this time. A
separate audition will be held for LyricKids! at a later
date. All queries should be directed
to [email protected].
OMIGOD YOU GUYS!!!!
By Serena Magnan O’Connell
Save the date and mark your calendars in pink pen for
Legally Blonde the Musical Kick-off and Auditions!
Kick-Off Meeting for Legally Blonde
Wednesday, December 3rd, 7:00 p.m.
Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School, South Burlington
Meet the artistic team and learn about their vision for the
show, what they are looking for regarding the cast of
characters and audition process, as well as a chance to sign
up for backstage volunteer opportunities.
Auditions for Legally Blonde
Sunday, December 7th-Wednesday, December 10th
Hours and location to be determined
Doggie Auditions
Saturday, January 10th
Lyric Warehouse at 7 Green Tree Drive, South Burlington
We will be looking to cast a Chihuahua and a bulldog
who are triple threats and easily trainable. More information
on all auditions and a full list of character descriptions to
follow in next month’s Spotlight and will be available on the
Lyric website in mid-October.
I am proud to be part of a very talented group of
individuals making Legally Blonde come to life! Introducing
to you....Team Pink!
Artistic Director
Andrea Cronan
Assistant Director
Kristen Bures
Music Director
Craig Hilliard
Choreographer
Jane Burchard
Assistant Choreographer
Doris O'Brien
Stage Manager
Sean Leach
Assistant Stage Manager
Todd Hanley
Rehearsal Pianist
Nate Venet
Technical Director
Charlie Church
Set Designer
Belinda Emerson
Set Decorator
Jane Harissis
Set Engineer/Carpenter
Vern Emerson
Set Construction
George Walker
Costume Design
Lyn Feinson
Costume Coordinator
Debby Dot Decker
Costume Engineer
Cassandra Clayton
Lighting Design/Electrician
Andy Pearson
Properties
Carolyn Gauthier and Karyn Dubie
Sound Design/Engineers
Harry Chaikin, Nathan Tykocki
and Ring Pingert
Make up
Kelley Lane
Hair
Don O’Connell and Ron Cook
Promotions
Wendy Mays
Graphic Design
Elisabeth Gerber
Box Office
Joann Stanfield
House
Bill Suitor and Elizabeth Wilkins
Production Party
Abbie Tykocki
Photography
Jonathan Couture
Safety & Security
Ron Gauthier
Program Chair
Linda Whalen
In the meantime, please contact Serena Magnan
O’Connell if you too are interested in participating on Team
Pink! We are still looking for someone to chair promotional
wear (think pink!!!), and volunteer opportunities are
available for participating on our crews! Come join the fun!
See you in December!
Want your Lyric news faster? Follow us on
Facebook. Go to the Lyric Facebook page and
“Like” us now!
FLYNNARTS OFFERINGS
By Christina Weakland
Go to www.flynnarts.org to sign up for any of the below
opportunities, or call 802/652-4537.
FREE Forum: The Business of Being an Artist, 10/24 and
12/5, 5:45 p.m.
These free forums are part of a new series of conversations
around the business of making a living as a performing artist.
Join this gathering of artists, professionals, and arts
organizations to examine the realities of achieving success in
the arts. Topics may include finding funding, doing taxes,
preparing press packets, etc. We will highlight issues drawn
from the artist community’s suggestions, with the goal of
sharing information, ideas, and insights, and moving the
local creative economy forward. Conversations will be
geared toward issues affecting performing artists.
FREE Play Reading Group: 10/6, 11/3, 12/1, and 1/5,
6:30 p.m.
Devised by and for the local theater community upon the
prompting of Seth Jarvis, this play reading group is forming
to provide opportunities for actors and directors to explore
existing plays and or to play with non-traditional casting for
established works. A cross between a book group and a
show, this is intended as a complement to Playmakers at the
Off Center, which is focused on new works. We will meet to
read plays once a month, where discussion will be facilitated
by rotating members of the theater community. In addition,
we welcome those with no experience to join us in our play
readings to read or to listen. There are no fees to participate,
although donations toward the group facilitator will be gladly
accepted.
Group Facilitators:
October 6th: Cristina Alicea—Artistic Director at Vermont
Stage Company, and Director.
November 3rd: Kathryn Blume—Actor, Director,
Playwright, Activist
December 1st: Seth Jarvis—Actor, Director, Playwright,
Outreach Manager at VT International Film Festival
Monologue Boot Camp: Thursdays, 10/30-12/11, 5:457:15 p.m.
Strengthen your skills in text analysis, character
development, and audition technique. Beginners learn the
tools for working on a monologue and veterans deepen their
craft and acquire new insights into their own approach to
performance. Students may choose to informally share class
work with family and friends at semester’s end. Please bring
in one or two monologues you like—no need to memorize in
advance. Instructor John Jensen is a professional actor and
director who has performed and directed in NYC, Cleveland,
and most recently Vermont. His teaching credits include
acting and movement for actors at Baldwin-Wallace and
Case Western Reserve Universities. He has been a member
of Actors Equity since 1993. Tuition is $125/6 weeks, or
less than $14/hour. Financial aid is available.
ON OTHER STAGES
 Save the date for Little City Players’ production of
Barbara Robinson’s beloved holiday play The Best
Christmas Pageant Ever. The show, directed by Lyric’s Josie
Fox, will be presented at the historic Vergennes Opera House
December 6th and 7th and 12th-14th. This delightful comedy is
adapted from the best-selling Young Adult book, and has
become a holiday staple for theatre across the United States!
For info: www.littlecityplayers.org.
 Tickets are now on sale for the Middlebury Community
Players’ fall production of Oliver! The show will be
presented at Town Hall Theater in Middlebury beginning
Thursday, November 6th, through Sunday, November 16th.
Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. and matinees are at
1:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for the two Thursday night
shows and $23 for all other shows; children 12 and under pay
just $18. For tickets, call 802/382-9222, stop by the Town
Hall Theater Box Office Monday to Saturday, noon to 5:00
p.m.; or purchase online at www.townhalltheater.org. With
music, book, and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! is an
energetic and poignant show based on the Charles Dickens’
novel. Lyric members Cathy Palmer as Artistic Director and
Kendra Gratton as Choreographer lead the large cast that
includes many familiar Lyric names.
LYRIC'S SPRING 2016 PRODUCTION IS....
By Margaret Welch
Lyric’s Show Selection and Evaluation Committee is
seeking proposals for the spring 2016 show. If you have been
thinking about a show that Lyric should produce and want to
be part of a show team, please consider submitting a
proposal. The guidelines are stated below. The deadline for
show proposals is October 31st, 2014. For more information
or to submit the proposal, please contact Margaret Welch,
chair of Lyric’s Show Selection and Evaluation Committee at
862-2428 or [email protected].
MainStage Show Proposal Criteria:
Has not been produced by Lyric in the past ten years
Has broad-based audience appeal
Is appropriate for directors, cast and crew available to
Lyric
Has potential for substantial ticket sales
Has artistic value
Written proposals should include:
Names and qualifications of the Producer, Director,
Choreographer and Music Director
Synopsis of show
History of the show (where and when it has been
performed)
General vision including cast size and mix, special talent
needs and why it should be produced by Lyric Theatre
Company
A preliminary budget
Some general marketing ideas to promote the show
P.O. Box 1688
Williston, VT 05495
Countdown to Opening Night for The Producers
Get your tickets…and bring your friends!
The Spotlight: A monthly publication of Lyric
Theatre Company. To submit material for
the next issue, email [email protected].
Distribution questions? Call 802/658-1484.
Deadline for November issue: October 28th, 2014
AT YOUR SERVICE--LYRIC THEATRE COMPANY BOARD & STAFF
Marna Bisaccia
[email protected]
238-4896
Christopher Brown
[email protected]
Jane Burchard
[email protected]
859-0914
Andrea Cronan
[email protected]
Karyn Dubie
[email protected]
658-6339
Charlotte Gardner
Susan Geise
[email protected]
Geri Ann Higgins
[email protected]
Stephen Kendall
[email protected]
Sean Leach
[email protected]
363-4599
Serena Magnan O’Connell [email protected]
233-2516
Brian Meyer
Julianne Nickerson
[email protected]
Donna Riera
[email protected]
922-1946
Nanette Stevens
[email protected]
Doug Viehmann
[email protected]
Margaret Welch
[email protected]
862-2428
Syndi Zook, Exec. Dir.
[email protected]
658-1484
Kristina McSalis, Capital
Campaign Assistant
[email protected]
658-1484
Non-profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 333
Burlington, VT
05401
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
MEETING TIMES FOR LYRIC’S STANDING COMMITTEES
Board (Chair: Stephen Kendall): 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6:30
p.m., Lyric temp office, 7 Green Tree Dr., South Burlington
Building (Chair: Keith McManis): Monthly, Time TBA, Location
varies
PR/Development (Chair: Geri Ann Higgins): 1st Tuesday of the
month, 5:30 p.m., Lyric temp office, 7 Green Tree Dr., South
Burlington
Education (Chair: Andrea Cronan): Meeting details TBA
Finance (Chair: Nanette Stevens): 2nd Wednesday of the month,
5:30 p.m., Nanette’s office, Trust Company of VT
Membership (Chair: Serena Magnan O’Connell): 4th Tuesday of
the month, 7 p.m., home of the O’Connell’s, Burlington
Show Selection (Chair: Margaret Welch): Monthly, Time TBA,
Location varies
Do you Tweet?
If so, be sure to follow @lyrictheatrevt and join
the 140-character conversations about our fall
production of The Producers using
#LyricProducers.
November 13th-16th, 2014 | Flynn MainStage
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