This will be the third AGL blog location since I’ve worked for the Guild. Former AGL Artistic Director Rick St. Peter had his own as part of the old website, and later he and I moved over to running a sporadically updated off site blog which we started while at the TCG conference in Denver. Actually Rick was pretty good about keeping up with the blog, I have never really been a blogger and have struggled with the idea of keeping up with the whole thing.
Ah but it is the season of "newness," and at the bequest (or perhaps demand/threatening) of my fellow staffers at AGL we begin once again, and with luck I'll do a better job this time (or at least they'll help).
To update on 2010:
Artistic Director Rick St. Peter, who hired me to the company first as Director of Audience Development, and then later as Associate Director, left the Bluegrass for Lubbock TX where he is pursuing his PhD. From all accounts he as adjusted well to his new Texas home, and I occasionally get reports from him on the adventures he and his family are enjoying there. I'm very happy things are going well and hope that he gets the chance to stage all the shows we talked about doing but never got the chance. (Congrats Rick on your long awaited production of 4.48 Psychosis)
Vaya con Dios Rick, happy trails to you my friend.
Actors Guild's 26th season went under a major retooling in titles, and also in performance locations.
After opening Season 26th with Beguiled Again AGL left the DAC to produce The Santaland Diaries starring Tim Hull staged in a former restaurant, refitted and decorated into Santa's workshop. The project was difficult with the added challenges of creating a whole new space from
scratch, but the effect was magnetic. By controlling the performance space AGL got the chance to make the show more than just the script. Actors dressed as elves serving fresh baked cookies, merchants selling Christmas gifts, even pictures with Santa. The audience got a total experience before the lights even went up. The experience made a huge impact on me, and all of the dedicated volunteers who helped make Santaland a reality.
Following that was the big hit of the season TOMMY-The Concert with Lexington's one and only Johnson Brothers Band, which melted faces, and made patrons get up and dance at Buster's Billiards and Backroom. It was so much fun we just couldn't stop and after striking the show at Buster's we immediately made plans to re-launch the whole thing to help break ground for the brand new Moondance Amphitheater in Beaumont Center. Rock!
AGL also had two co-productions with other groups in Lexington, The Marvelous Wonderettes at Studio Players and Three Cheers for the Peanut Gallery with Bluegrass Community and Technical College.
With generous support from the Lucille C. Little Foundation to AGL's Bridges Program, we also worked with the newly formed Street Voice Council to create and produce Please Don't Call Me Homeless...I Don't Call You Homed a new play exploring the true stories of people experiencing homelessness in Lexington. From interviews to scripting to training and rehearsal AGL worked with writer Jeff Gross and members of SVC to bring their stories to life on stage downtown. It was an incredible labor of love, and one of the most meaningful experiences I've ever had in theatre.
Now...2011
The new AGL home! After a year of nomadic existence, it seemed time to plant our feet again. While producing the shows of Season 26 we conducted an exhaustive search and finally found a space to fall in love with.It's a space that we hope to grow through Season 27. The initial renovations and up-fitting to begin staging shows was a tough hardworking two weeks, between shows we hope to make more improvements.
Dead Man's Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl is going into its last week (Tickets SOLD OUT Saturday night/Friday only has a few left-Buy Now). It's been a crazy trip to build a space and open a show, but it's also been a lot of fun. I know I gave my fair share of effort but I'd like to wrap up here by thanking all of the people who helped to bring a wonderful dream to fruition.
First off: The staff and volunteers of Actors Guild. Hilary Brown, Natalie E. Cummins, Mylissa Crutcher, Tommy Gatton, Amanda Holcomb, Kody Kiser, Leif & DeAnna Rigney and Ryan Spaight.
I also need to thank each of the members of the Board of Trustees of AGL: Tim "X" Davis, Jim Dickinson, Tammy Farley, Jim Gleason, Andy Haymaker, Peter Kucirko, Kent Lewis, John Morgan, Rob Mudd, Garland Niquette, Betsy Nowland-Curry, Kathy Plomin, Bob Singleton and Reginald Thomas.
Thank you to the sponsors of Dead Man's Cell Phone South Elkhorn Village, Dr. Robert & Linda Granacher and Larry & Carol Beach. Also to the amazing collection of people and organizations that helped to make the new space and Dead Man's Cell Phone.
Allegra Printing - Alley Stuff Antiques and Eccentricities - Evan Bergman - Bluegrass Community and Technical College - Craig Burke - Ross Carter - Erma Cummins - John Davis - Nancy Dreher - DW Bratcher & Associates LLC - Zhenya Huang - Tim Hull - Bruce Issac - The Lamp Place - Brittney E. Manning - Marnie Mountjoy - Russell Mendez - Patrick Morgan - Robin Ratliff - Abby Reeve - Diane Seale - Mike Singleton - Paul Ray Smith - Studio Players - Teressa Tope - Thouroughbred Community Theatre - Transylvania University - University of Kentucky Theatre Department - Greg Waltermire - Linda Woelfel - Woodford Theatre - Wood Van Meter
Also the hardworking and devoted cast of Dead Man’s Cell Phone who rehearsed while construction rolled around them: Hayley Williams, Tom Phillips, Missy Johnston, Schann Mobley, Bob Singleton, Sharron Sikorski, William Bates, Meredith Crutcher and Caitlyn Capriete.
Also I'd like to once again extend my humble and sincere thanks to everyone who has worked on the behalf of AGL over 27 seasons. To the founders, the former staff members, the former board members, all of the actors, designers, techs (go tech!), sponsors, donors, patrons, to every single business and individual who helped to create AGL, shape AGL, and kept AGL going to reach this 27 season. I like to also to recognize each and every Artistic Director who placed their stamp on AGL, Vic Chaney, Deborah Shoss, Kevin Hardesty, and Richard St. Peter.
I hope to make my time as steward of AGL one that everyone who has worked on behalf of the theatre can be proud of.
Next up: Glengarry Glen Ross February 24th - March 6th starring Robert Parks-Johnson, Tim Hull, Tom Phillips, Pete Sears, Evan Bergman, Graham Hart and Kody Kiser
See you at the theatre,
Eric
