DOVER—
At the 2010 Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 13, Garrison Players named their 2010-11 Board of Directors, unveiled their upcoming 58th season, which opens in September with the Neil Simon comedy, The Odd Couple, and honored their 2010 Volunteer of the Year.
The new Board of Directors will be led by current President, Francois Lamothe, of Portsmouth Dental Studio; Vice President Rich Salvati of Back Bay Networks; Secretary Joyce Goldstein; Treasurer Barbara Dunnington of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; Production Director Carol Seely; Marketing Director Carol Adams Bitov; Building Director Tom Dunnington; Membership Director Ann Schultz; and Youth Program Director Autumn Allen.
Also joining the Board of Directors in At-Large positions are: Jim Mastro, Chris MacEachern, Jim Horne of Beacon Business Advantage, Megan Davenport Karas, Michael Turner, and John Barrett.
President Lamothe presented the 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award to Kristen St. Hillaire, who has painted the sets for the twelve Garrison Players’ productions since first volunteering in 2007. Kristen, who resides in Rollinsford, has recently accepted the position of Art Teacher at St. Mary’s Academy in Dover. She also volunteers as an art teacher with Zebra Crossings, a group that provides learning experiences to children with chronic diseases. Her program will be held at the Garrison Players Arts Center beginning this summer.
Using the Wikipedia definition of “Community Theater,” Lamothe cited Garrison Players’ “against all odds” progress over the past year, especially in its youth program under the leadership of Autumn Allen and her committee of parents. He also noted that the group is in need of more volunteers to grow the committees and increase fundraising.
Lamothe announced that the 2010-11 season will open with Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple from Sept. 17 through Oct. 3, directed by Jim Mastro, who last directed the 2008 production of Bottoms Up. The rest of the season will consist of: Crimes of the Heart, a drama by Beth Henley and directed by Megan Davenport Karas in October; The Dining Room by A. R. Gurney and directed by Michael Turner in February, 2011; Honk! a musical by George Stiles and directed by Tinka Finley, with music direction by Kathy Fink in March, 2011; and Don’t Dress for Dinner a comedy by Marc Camoletti in June, 2011. The Christmas show this year will be a guest performance of A Very Ida Christmas featuring the popular local writer and performer, Susan Poulin. He also outlined the new Flex Ticket option, which gives a buyer 6 tickets that can be used in any combination for $75.
The Youth Summer Camp Program will include Thoroughly Modern Millie Junior on Aug. 14 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Garrison Players will also continue its schedule of Youth Theatre programming, as well as guest artists, such as the monthly bluegrass concerts, local a cappella group Tuckermans at 9 and Artists in Reach.
After the Annual Meeting portion of the event, the 2010 Guppie Awards were presented. This year’s awards focused on the many volunteer technical crew members: Lighting Designer Paul Barton; Sound Designer Scott Seely; Set Builder Tom Dunnington; Set Painter Kristen St. Hillaire; and Sound/Light Board Operator Gary Avery. Honored with the Garrison Players Rookie of the Year Award was Chris MacEachern, who started this year as Stage Manager for The Importance of Being Earnest. Also honored with a new “Wearer of Many Hats” Award was Rich Salvati, who has served backstage in many capacities, as well as being on stage in several productions. Rich turned the tables on Lamothe by lauding him for his many brilliant set designs.
Garrison Players is a nonprofit, volunteer-based community theatre group dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the area by presenting high-quality theatrical performances geared for family audiences. Established in 1953, the players encourage people of all ages to enjoy and participate in the many facets of the performing arts; and to help maintain the new Garrison Players Community Arts Center. For more information about Garrison Players, call 603-516-4919 or e-mail info@garrisonplayers.org. Visit the website at www.garrisonplayers.org.
Photo caption: Garrison Players President Francois Lamothe presents the 2010 Volunteer of the Year to Kristen St. Hillaire for her artistic contributions to the theatre group. (Courtesy photo)
At the 2010 Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 13, Garrison Players named their 2010-11 Board of Directors, unveiled their upcoming 58th season, which opens in September with the Neil Simon comedy, The Odd Couple, and honored their 2010 Volunteer of the Year.
The new Board of Directors will be led by current President, Francois Lamothe, of Portsmouth Dental Studio; Vice President Rich Salvati of Back Bay Networks; Secretary Joyce Goldstein; Treasurer Barbara Dunnington of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; Production Director Carol Seely; Marketing Director Carol Adams Bitov; Building Director Tom Dunnington; Membership Director Ann Schultz; and Youth Program Director Autumn Allen.
Also joining the Board of Directors in At-Large positions are: Jim Mastro, Chris MacEachern, Jim Horne of Beacon Business Advantage, Megan Davenport Karas, Michael Turner, and John Barrett.
President Lamothe presented the 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award to Kristen St. Hillaire, who has painted the sets for the twelve Garrison Players’ productions since first volunteering in 2007. Kristen, who resides in Rollinsford, has recently accepted the position of Art Teacher at St. Mary’s Academy in Dover. She also volunteers as an art teacher with Zebra Crossings, a group that provides learning experiences to children with chronic diseases. Her program will be held at the Garrison Players Arts Center beginning this summer.
Using the Wikipedia definition of “Community Theater,” Lamothe cited Garrison Players’ “against all odds” progress over the past year, especially in its youth program under the leadership of Autumn Allen and her committee of parents. He also noted that the group is in need of more volunteers to grow the committees and increase fundraising.
Lamothe announced that the 2010-11 season will open with Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple from Sept. 17 through Oct. 3, directed by Jim Mastro, who last directed the 2008 production of Bottoms Up. The rest of the season will consist of: Crimes of the Heart, a drama by Beth Henley and directed by Megan Davenport Karas in October; The Dining Room by A. R. Gurney and directed by Michael Turner in February, 2011; Honk! a musical by George Stiles and directed by Tinka Finley, with music direction by Kathy Fink in March, 2011; and Don’t Dress for Dinner a comedy by Marc Camoletti in June, 2011. The Christmas show this year will be a guest performance of A Very Ida Christmas featuring the popular local writer and performer, Susan Poulin. He also outlined the new Flex Ticket option, which gives a buyer 6 tickets that can be used in any combination for $75.
The Youth Summer Camp Program will include Thoroughly Modern Millie Junior on Aug. 14 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Garrison Players will also continue its schedule of Youth Theatre programming, as well as guest artists, such as the monthly bluegrass concerts, local a cappella group Tuckermans at 9 and Artists in Reach.
After the Annual Meeting portion of the event, the 2010 Guppie Awards were presented. This year’s awards focused on the many volunteer technical crew members: Lighting Designer Paul Barton; Sound Designer Scott Seely; Set Builder Tom Dunnington; Set Painter Kristen St. Hillaire; and Sound/Light Board Operator Gary Avery. Honored with the Garrison Players Rookie of the Year Award was Chris MacEachern, who started this year as Stage Manager for The Importance of Being Earnest. Also honored with a new “Wearer of Many Hats” Award was Rich Salvati, who has served backstage in many capacities, as well as being on stage in several productions. Rich turned the tables on Lamothe by lauding him for his many brilliant set designs.
Garrison Players is a nonprofit, volunteer-based community theatre group dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the area by presenting high-quality theatrical performances geared for family audiences. Established in 1953, the players encourage people of all ages to enjoy and participate in the many facets of the performing arts; and to help maintain the new Garrison Players Community Arts Center. For more information about Garrison Players, call 603-516-4919 or e-mail info@garrisonplayers.org. Visit the website at www.garrisonplayers.org.
Photo caption: Garrison Players President Francois Lamothe presents the 2010 Volunteer of the Year to Kristen St. Hillaire for her artistic contributions to the theatre group. (Courtesy photo)
