Author Archives: Gail Matthews

Important Announcement 2020 Singin’ In The Rain JR Summer Camp cancelled

Posted on by

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:

2020 Singin’ In The Rain JR Summer Camp cancelled

In consideration of the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it is with a heavy heart that the Windmore Foundation for the Arts announces the cancellation of the 2020 Summer Musical theatre camp, scheduled for June 15-27.

Windmore’s Board of Directors made this difficult and disappointing decision in the best interest of our members, our families and all who would attend our summer camp or performances of the summer musical. The board believes this cancellation is necessary in light of the current and increasing crisis in our country. We need to keep the safety and wellbeing of our members, volunteers, the campers, spectators and the general public as our priority.

We will be closely monitoring the updates on COVID-19 and as restrictions change we will start to offer fun small free classes like drawing, painting, acting and improv, etc. We also hope to see you all join us next summer for the 2021 Singin In The Rain JR musical summer camp!

Remember we’re all in this together!

Fifth Writers Workshop: Close Narration

Posted on by

Fifth Writers Workshop: Close Narration 

Part 1: April 21, 2020, 10AM-2:30PM, Culpeper County Library

Part 2: April 28, 2020, 10AM-2:30 PM, Culpeper County Library

Give your reader ‘the feels’.

Make your readers live the story and connect to your characters by improving how you relay thoughts and emotions. Make inner monologues more convincing.

Lucie Rousseau will take participants for a closer look at the following:

  • 1st person narration and Stream of Consciousness;
  • POV and Free Indirect Speech (3rd person limited)

Payment is due at the first session of the workshop. $30 Members; $40 Non-members

Registration limited: https://tinyurl.com/close-narration

StageWorks 2020 Season

Posted on by

StageWorks is proud to present our 2020 Season!!!!  The shows have been chosen and audition dates and times are coming soon!

The Emerald Heist! An Interactive Mystery Show
April 4, 6:30 pm at Prince Michel Winery (Sold Out)
April 5, 2:00 pm at Coyote Hole Ciderworks

StageWorks goes to Broadway – A Broadway Musical Revue
June 5 & 6 and June 12&13

Student Directed One Acts Workshop Performances
August 14-16th

Yes, Virginia The Musical
December TBD

The Emerald Heist Postponed

Posted on by

 

As Artistic Director of StageWorks, I am disappointed to announce that due to the current threat posed by the Coronavirus, we will be postponing our production of the Emerald Heist.  We are working on solidifying a new date with Prince Michel Winery and encourage everyone who purchased tickets to hold on to them as we plan on rescheduling the performance in the near future.  The show must go on!!! And it will once the situation improves!  As of today, we are looking to reschedule in early June once, and if, the ban on gatherings of 50 or more people has been lifted.

Please stay tuned for further updates and if you have any questions do not hesitate to email me at Stageworks@windmorefoundation.org.

Thank you for being patient with us as we navigate this crazy world that we are living in right now!

 

Jessy Mahr

The Emerald Heist: an interactive dinner theater production
 Enjoy sitting right alongside cast members in this unique dinner theater mystery. 

 

In the first-class dining car on a passenger train, we meet Mrs. Winston, an incredibly generous person. Her latest selfless acts include upgrading the coach tickets of a hungry couple and allowing a small museum to exhibit her famed Rockefeller Emerald ring, but when a thief attempts to steal the emerald only discover that it’s already missing, the situation quickly goes off-track and hilarity ensues!

Performance Dates:

  • Saturday, April 4, 2020, at Prince Michel Winery at 6:30 pm,                                                                  154 Winery Ln, Leon, VA 22725
  • Sunday, April 5, 2020, at Coyote Hole Ciderworks at 2:00 pm,                                                                      225 Oak Grove Dr, Mineral, VA 23117

Tickets: $35.00

  • The Prince Michel Performance includes the cost of the food but not alcohol.

Prince Michel ‘s Buffet Menu

    • Tossed Salad with Ranch & Italian Dressings
    • Pulled Pork BBQ with Rolls
    • Fire Roasted Chicken with Rolls
    • Cole Slaw
    • Dessert Chocolate Mousse Tort

 

  • The Coyote Hole Ciderworks Performance includes a 4-course flight of ciders but not the meal.

The performance at Coyote Hole is a 21 and older event as Alcohol is the product being served.

Guess the Emeralds Contest: Record your guess here: GUESS

For more information, contact: Jessy Mahr Stageworks@windmorefoundation.org

Weaving Life into the Story: Action, Dialogue, Pace and Structure Workshop

Posted on by

Weaving Life into the Story: Action, Dialogue, Pace and Structure

Taught by: Lucie-Gabrielle Jolicoeur-Rousseau

Quiet river flow? Or Action-packed? In this seminar we will learn how to structure the text to either speed up or slow down the pace of a story, and how to blend action, dialogue and description to make it come alive.

Lucie-Gabrielle Jolicoeur-Rousseau has a Master’s degree in Literary Studies/Creative Writing from Laval University, where she studied under the direction of Mr. Neil Bissoondath, a well-known Canadian author. Under the name Gabriele Russo, she is the author of three published novels: Incompetent Gods, Inclement Gods, and Incoherent Gods. This will be her fourth seminar with Windmore.

Click Here to register.

Join us at the Culpeper Baptist Church. Room 313

  • Tuesday, February 18 from 10 AM to 1 PM for the lecture
  • Tuesday, February 25 from 10 AM to 1 PM for the workshop
  • Makeup dates are March 5, 2020, and March 5 and March 12, 2020. Times are the same from 10 AM to 2 PM.

IMPORTANT: If Culpeper schools are canceled for inclement weather, the course will be canceled and moved to makeup dates. Inclement weather cancellations notification will also be posted online at Windmorefoundation.org

Share with other writers: Copy and share link: https://qrco.de/bbPrZb

Auditions for: The Emerald Heist, an interactive dinner theater production

Posted on by
Auditions for: The Emerald Heist, an interactive dinner theater production
Performance Dates: April 4, 2020, at Prince Michel Winery at 6:30 pm and April 5, 2020, at 3:00 pm at Coyote Hole Winery
Looking for Cast members ages 16 and up.  4 Males, 4 Females
Audition Dates: Sunday, Feb. 2, 3:00-6:30 and Monday, Feb. 3, 6:30-8:30
Rehearsals Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings starting Feb. 9 with possible other days if needed
Be prepared for cold readings of the script and some improv games.
Click here to access the Audition Sign-up Form.

Emerald Heist Character List

Conductor (M or F) Ticket Taker
James (M 20s-30s) Train Passenger with a secret
Lucy (F 20s-30s) Another passenger, has a gift for backhanded compliments
Mrs. Winston (F 40s up) Owner of the Rockefeller Emerald Ring; Kind and Generous
Thief (M or F)  Unflappable and pragmatic bandit
Curator (M or F)  Runs a nearby museum; hopes the emerald ring will boost business
Marshal (M-F 20s up)  Not-too-bright law enforcement agent
Jeweler (M or F)               Jewel Expert and consultant
Servers (any age)            Helps with the dinner adds ad-lib comments during the production

Need to download a copy of the Audition Form? Bring the completed formto to the Bring the completed form to the audition.

For more information contact Jessy at Stageworks@windmorefoundation.org

 

Christmas Play: The First Leon

Posted on by

Windmore will present a kids’ Christmas musical, The First Leon. The lead character, Leon, realizes his name spelled backward (Noel) means “Christmas,” so he wants to be the lead in the Christmas play. The problem is Leon can’t act or sing. After auditions, rehearsals and a few mishaps, the pageant goes on and Leon shows everyone the true meaning of Christmas.

Performances: Saturday, December 14th at 6PM and Sunday, December 15th at 3PM. Performances will be at the Culpeper Baptist Church.