2006: Vol. 20, No. 1

Letter from the President

Dear Friends,

It is an honor to serve as the Calumet Players President and I want to thank you for putting your faith in me. I have been a member of the Players since 1980 and have served as President, Secretary and Trustee over the years. It is hard to sum up a total of 27 years briefly. We have seen alot of changes since our early days, and we have come along way. But one of the things which has not changed is the joy we get from working together with our friends for a common goal. We all know that it takes lots of people many hours to put together a production. We also have a very dedicated Board of Directors who put many hours of work in before the production even begins. I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for the time you have given us.

We have an exciting and challenging year ahead of us which you will see as you continue reading the newsletter. One of our greatest challenges is recruiting new people. We are always looking for new people on stage and off. If you have been absent for a few years, we hope you will come back as we have missed you. If you have been active with us...how about recruiting a friend or family member? The working members of The Calumet Players are the heart of The Calumet Players. Come out and play with us.

Thank-you

Debbie Aubin

President

Your Membership Counts!

While the Calumet Players generate most of our revenues from our productions, a good portion also comes from membership dues.

Sometimes it makes the difference between our showing a profit or a loss. Producing shows is an expensive endeavor and any support we receive from you, our patrons, is greatly appreciated.

If you have a friend, neighbor, or relative who would like to receive this newsletter twice per year (or more), please drop us a note at the address listed elsewhere in this issue. If you have any questions about your membership, please feel free to write us a note.

The Calumet Players is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization.

A TRIP TO OZ

The Calumet Players are thrilled to announce that our fall musical will be The Wizard of Oz. Auditions will be held on June 27th, 28th & 29th at the Calumet Players Building. Wizard of Oz will be directed by Mike Aubin and Tom Maksimchuk. Show dates will be September (Dates will be posted soon). This show will certainly be a challenge in all area’s including sets and costumes. If you are interested in working back stage in any area, please contact Debbie Aubin at 337-0872 or e-mail at DAubin3@excite.com

UNCLE SAM / CALUMET PLAYERS

What does Uncle Sam and the Calumet Players have in common? WE BOTH NEED YOU!!! The Players are putting out a loud and clear call to everyone - We Need You!! Be it back-stage, on stage, lighting, sound, sets, costumes etc...we need old and new faces. Please call Debbie Aubin at 337-0872 for more information or to sign up. She’ll make sure your name is passed on to the right committee.

SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL

A great big JOB WELL DONE to all persons involved with the Calumet Players' and CCISD’s production of Seussical the Musical. This clever and colorful show was performed by 47 area students from schools ranging from Baraga to Calumet and grades 6-12. A heartfelt THANK-YOU goes to Director Mike Aubin and Music Director Sara Perfetti. The Players and the ISD have colloaborated on productions every other year since 1998 producing The Sound of Music, Damn Yankees, Oklahoma, Cinderella and this year’s Seussical the Musical. We want to thank all those involved. It was an absolutely delightful show.

THE NUNS REVISTED

On May 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th the nuns once again ruled at the Little Gem Theatre in the E-Center in Lake Linden. The original plans to do a play this spring at the E-Center did not pan out, so the Board of Directors decided to ask the cast, crew and orchestra of Nunsense if they were willing to return for one last engagement. All were eager and willing. So with habits in hand and tap shoes shined, a four-night run was held. The audience was filled with many who had seen it all three times, but many were coming for the first time. A great time was had by all. Many thanks to all who were involved especially director Mike Aubin for digging out his script “one more time.”

ALUMNI UPDATE

Graham Kurtz, a former Calumet Player is making a member of a World-Wide touring Company performing West Side Story. He has his own web site at www.grahamkurtz.blogs.friendster.com. How great it is to see one of our own go out and make their way in the world of theatre. Congratulations Graham.

ACTORS AND ACTRESSES WANTED

WLUC TV6 News from Marquette is looking for local talent for commercials. I don’t have a lot of information, but to quote from Scott Zerbel's e-mail, “...as part of the audition process I would like all those interested in acting in commercials to provide me with an audition tape or DVD. The tape should include a sample of them acting and if applicable a sample of them doing voice work using any accents they have. They also need to provide a resume that has a list of their acting experience and a photo if possible.” He is willing to come up for an afternoon to tape auditions if necessary. If you are interested please contact Debbie Aubin at 337-0872 or e-mail at DAubin3@excite.com

BUILDING CLEAN-UP

On Thursday, May 25th at 6:00 we will be holding a first organizational-working bee at the Players Building. Last year we had a new ceiling put in so costumes and props were moved, shuffled, thrown etc. (I think you get the picture). Now is the time to clean, organize, throw-out etc. (the rest of the picture). Please come and help us. As the old saying goes “Many hands make light work.” If you are not able to make it on the 25th, but would like to help at future work bees, please contact Debbie Aubin at 337-0872 or e-mail at DAubin3@excite.com.

HELP LIGHT UP OUR LIFE

Over the past few years, the Players have done extensive work on the inside of our building. Two years ago we knocked down many of the apartment walls upstairs to give us more space for storage and rehearsals. Last year we borrowed $10,000 to have drop ceilings installed. This year, we need to rewire and put lighting in all the rooms. So...we are hoping you will help “LIGHT UP OUR LIFE”. We are asking for donations which will go towards our lighting fund. Our fund raising committee is also looking at a variety of activities through which we can fund this project.