Drama students from throughout Wyoming compete in Riverton Nov. 29-Dec. 1

Our Wyoming Arts Council colleague Camellia El-Antably is heading off to Riverton tomorrow for the Wyoming State Drama Competition. Here's her description of the event:

The Wyoming State Drama Competition is put on by the Wyoming Educators of Secondary Theatre (WEST) each year. It rotates between college campuses across the state. This year it is at Central Wyoming College in Riverton Nov. 29-Dec. 1.

It is one of the most complex theatre competitions nationally, because schools/students may compete in all areas of performance and tech, including:

Proscenium, Arena, Reader's Theatre, Original Scripts (3 kinds), Duets & Monologues (humorous or dramatic), Makeup, Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Publicity, Costume. The tech areas (makeup, scene, lights, publicity, costume) offer four levels with stronger criteria as the student gains experience.

 

All high schools are eligible to participate, another departure from competitions in other states, as there are no district-level competitions.

Approximately 35 high schools participate. CWC's Fine Arts Building will be overrun with students putting on makeup, rehearsing, watching performances or viewing technical entries. Students participate in critiques with professional judges. Judges are drawn from colleges and professional theatre groups in Wyoming and neighboring states.

WEST is a membership group of teachers and coaches and other interested parties from across the state. The competition is run entirely by them, with no paid staff. Anyone supportive of theatre in the schools can be a member of WEST. Find out more about WEST at: http://www.wyoest.net/

Boycott Christmas in Thermopolis, yes really!

Thermopolis kicks of the Christmas season with "Buffalo Bill" Boycott performing his "Rocky Mountain Christmas" show on Thursday, Novemeber 29 at 7 p.m. in the Hot Springs County School District Auditorium.

"Buffalo Bill", also known as William Frederick Boycott, lives in Lander and performs throughout the country playing fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar. His Christmas program includes holiday stories, skits, songs, poems and instrumentals with a decidedly Western flair. One of his popular renditions is a “cowboy” version of “Twelve Days of Christmas.”

“Buffalo Bill” Boycott was a member of the Grammy Award-winning “New Christy Minstrels” from 2005 to 2008 and has performed in concert with Nitty Gritty Dirt Band as well as Waddie Mitchell and Riders in the Sky.

In 2011, Boycott was named "Best Male Yodeller " by the Western Music Association. He and sidekick "Dr. Jo" (Flower of the Prairie) also won the 2011 Harmony Duo Award.

Boycott is a popular presenter in the schools, teaching history of the American West and demonstrating Native American sign language.

A long-time Wyoming Arts Council roster artist, Boycott has produced two programs on the history of the West and Wyoming in cooperation with Wyoming Public Television. He has also released five audio recordings, including "Rocky Mountain Christmas." That CD won the Wyoming Historical Society's Honorable Mention Award.

While in Thermopolis, Boycott will also present a short afternoon program for residents of the Pioneer Home. He will also work with fourth grade students on Wyoming history.

Boycott's appearances in Thermopolis are sponsored by Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation, in conjunction with Wyoming Arts Council, Wyoming State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts with additional support from Broadway Bygones.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors. Students are free. Advanced tickets are available with a $1 discount at Broadway Bygones until Nov. 28. For more information: 307-864-4070.

Casper College Percussion Ensemble stages "soundscapes" Nov. 15 to celebrate John Cage's centennial

As part of John Cage’s worldwide centennial celebration the Casper College Percussion Ensemble will present works by the American composer on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Aley Fine Arts Center on campus.

“The audience will have the freedom to wander through the space of the Aley Fine Arts Center and experience performances of Cage’s works in a unique and multi-layered soundscape. The works will be performed at different points during the evening, often overlapping,” said Neeraj Mehta, DMA, percussion instructor and director of the percussion ensemble.

In addition to the percussion ensemble, the event will also feature Jerome Fleg, woodwind instructor on clarinet; Kristen Lenth, vocal instructor, vocals; Holly Wendt, English instructor, spoken word; and the students of Larry Burger, sound design instructor, electronic music.

Works to be performed include “Double Music,” Living Room Music,” “A Flower,” “In a Landscape,” “Dream,” “Radio Music,” “4’33”,” “Sonata for Clarinet,” and “A Lecture on Nothing.”

The performance is free and open to the public. The Aley Fine Arts Center is located on the Casper College campus.

Professional theatrical agent Craig Holzberg to present master class at Casper College

Press release from Casper College:

Professional theatrical agent Craig Holzberg will present a free master class for those interested in professional theatre on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Thomas H. Empey Studio Theatre at Casper College.

Holzberg is president and founder of Avalon Artists Group, a full-service talent agency with offices in both New York and Los Angeles. “Avalon Artists Group represents actors and models of all ages for film, TV, theatre, commercials, voice-over, and print,” Holzberg said.

During the master class, which is free and open to the public, Holzberg “will cover what to expect, look for, and focus on in an audition for agents,” said James Olm, Casper College music theatre and voice instructor.  A question-and-answer session will follow Holzberg’s presentation.

A guest artist at Casper College, Holzberg is also the agent for another Casper College guest artist, Lindsie VanWinkle, who is playing the lead of Eva Peron in the Casper College fall musical “Evita.”

Ailey II at the WYO Theater in Sheridan Nov. 4

At the WYO Theater in Sheridan on Sunday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.:

Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country's best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today's most outstanding emerging choreographers.

Founded in 1974, the company embodies Mr. Ailey's pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people.

After touring North America and abroad, Ailey II brings its critically acclaimed performances home each spring for an annual New York season at The Ailey Citigroup Theater. Past engagements have taken place at the world-famous Apollo Theater and The Joyce Theater. The company's repertory has included works by dance masters Alvin Ailey, Talley Beatty, Donald Byrd, Ulysses Dove, George W. Faison, Lar Lubovitch, Judith Jamison and Ailey's Artistic Director Robert Battle as well as works by rising choreographers such as Sidra Bell, Thang Dao, Carlos dos Santos, and Christopher L. Huggins.

Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular dance companies in the county under the leadership of Sylvia Waters (1974-2012), combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs. With new Artistic Director Troy Powell at the helm, Ailey II will continue to thrive as he brings a fresh dimension to this beloved company.

FMI: www.alvinailey.org 

WAC announces plans to go to online application process for artist roster

WAC roster artist Bob Berky, a theatrical clown, actor, director and educator from Jackson

Attention all new applicants to the 2013-2014 Wyoming Arts Council Artist Roster!

Attention all new applicants to the 2013-2014 Wyoming Arts Council Artist Roster!

We are excited to announce that the WAC has decided to move from a paper application to an online application process for the 2013-2014 Artist Roster. The online application will completed via CAFÉ (Call for Entry), a program provided by WESTAF (Western States Arts Federation) in Denver. CAFE also provides information about other opportunities for artists.

The online application process will be available soon!

Because of this change to CAFE, we are extending the deadline date for new applications from December 1 to December 14, 2012.

In the meantime, we would encourage all interested roster applicants to explore the CAFE site at http://www.callforentry.org. You can register for free, read CAFE's guidelines and start preparing your supporting material (audio/visual clips, art images, resumes, etc) NOW, so you will be ready to complete the new roster application as soon as it is available. The new online application will be similar to the  2012-2013 Artist Roster application at http://wyoarts.state.wy.us/Roster/HowToApply.aspx. Take a look at it to see what information you should be compiling.

Look for more information soon on the WAC web site and the blog!

American Civil War classic "John Brown's Body" Nov. 15 at the Cheyenne Civic Center

Next Step Performance Company holds Oct. 2 planning meeting for Madrigal Dinner

The Next Step Performances Company will hold a planning meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 2, in the Central High School Choir Room in Cheyenne for its first production, a Medieval Madrigal Dinner. Auditions will be in the same location on Oct. 9-10, 7 p.m. FMI: http://www.facebook.com/events/528778490482018/

Next Step Performance Company to hold informational meetings Aug. 26 & 27

Jeff Tish is a freelance theatre scenic designer from Cheyenne who is on the Wyoming Arts Council artist roster. He sent this news about a new non-profit organization dedicated to the performing arts:

Next Step Performance Company, a newly formed non-profit organization, will be hosting two informational meetings and Q & A at the Laramie County Library August 26th (Willow Room) @ 2:00 PM and August 27th (Cottonwood Room) 7:30 PM. The public is encouraged to attend. We will discuss the plans for our first season as well as answer questions about public involvement, funding, performance opportunities and our plans for a Performing Arts Scholarship that will be funded by Next Step events.
• No need to RSVP.
• Seating is limited.
• Open to the Public

The NEXT STEP PERFORMANCE COMPANY will be a producing company that will support local and regional programs in Dance, Music and Theatre related performances. At the heart of the NEXT STEP PERFORMANCE COMPANY is our performing arts scholarship program. We will be raising money to give to performance arts students attending college and performing arts schools. We hope you will be as excited in this project as we are.

Please feel free to pass this information to anyone you think may be interested in this. If you have any questions please email me @ jtish52@gmail.com or call me at 307-630-7778.

Cheyenne NAACP dinner features dramatic presentation of "Manservant York" of the Lewis & Clark expedition

Piatigorsky Tour makes stop in Lander May 16

Classical guitarist Jack Sanders will perform twice during his Piatigorsky Tour stop in Lander on Wednesday, May 16:

1:45 p.m., Lander Middle School, 755 Jefferson
Contact: Susan Masson, Music Teacher, 307-332-4040

7:00 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church
Contact: Marvin Brown, (307) 332-2509, marvjobrown@wyoming.com

Casper College Opera Workshop performs scenes from "The Magic Flute" on April 21

The Casper College Opera Workshop will perform six scenes from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” on Saturday, April 21 at 2 p.m. in Durham Recital Hall.

The workshop is under the direction of Kristen Robinson, Casper College voice instructor. This is the third semester for the opera workshop, but it is the first time that we will be doing all scenes from one opera,” said Robinson.

Members of the CC Opera Workshop are Ty Hebbert, Danielle Hockett, Molly Green, Alex Arveschoug, Mike Schadwill, Ashlee Belveal, Gwen Colgrove, Phil Carlson, Alison Zick, Heather McAteer, and Emily Appel. Paula Flynn, who provided musical preparation, will provide piano accompaniment for the concert.

Durham Recital Hall is located in the Aley Fine Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

Nicolaysen hosting recording artist Pete Martinez

Cheyenne's 1st of the season Art Design and Dine tomorrow, April 12

Brave the rain, maybe even snow and hit the pavement tomorrow evening for Cheyenne's first of the season Art Design and Dine on April 12. Check out the website here for participating galleries, art venues, and businesses.

New artists join the 2012-2013 WAC Artist Roster

Summit Chamber Players

Twenty-one Wyoming artists were approved by the Wyoming Arts Council (WAC) Board to be included in the Council’s Artist Roster, which serves as a resource for communities seeking artists for festivals, performances and other types of art programs. Seventy-nine artists complete the 2012-2013 roster.

Robert Berky

New Roster Artists include performing artists: Summit Chamber Players and Verismo Trio, both classical chamber music groups from Laramie; Amy Gorbey, Cheyenne, a director and producer of youth theater camps and after school programs; Robert Berky, Jackson, an actor, theatrical clown and playwright; Fat City Mardi Gras Band, Riverton, New Orleans style and early jazz music; Flores De Colores, Cheyenne, a Mexican folkloric dance group; Scott Bragonier, Cody, Jared Rogerson, Pinedale, and Dave Munsick, Dayton, cowboy singer/songwriters.

Dan Hayward

Visual artists include, from Laramie: Larry W. Hazlett, a theater and technical design consultant; Daniel Hayward, photographer; and Mary Maynard, tatter and needle artist. Dave Buckles, Cody, wildlife woodcarver; Curt Theobald, Pine Bluffs, segmented woodturner; Joshua Ray Smith, Rawlins, sculptural and public art installations; Aaron Wallis, Jackson, works in printmaking, silkscreening and letterpress; Terry Kreuzer, Cheyenne, ceramist and sculptor; and David Osmundsen, Buffalo, an artist blacksmith.

Dave Buckles

Literary artists include Pat Frolander, Wyoming’s Poet Laureate; Eugene Gagliano, Buffalo, poet and children’s author; and Barbara Smith, Rock Springs, poet and creative non-fiction writer.

WAC Roster Artists are selected through a rigorous panel process that rates artists on art professionalism, presentation, expression and subject matter. Artists represent a wide range of art forms, cultural and ethnic programs and presentation styles. Organizations can apply to the WAC’s Artists Across Wyoming grant category to bring a Wyoming roster artist into their communities and schools for performances, readings, workshops, presentations and more.

For more information on the Artist Roster, go to the WAC’s web site at www.wyomingartscouncil.org or call the Council office at 307-777-7742.

2011 "Oklahoma Painters" Paris art show features Native American artists

Heap of Birds, with his painting, "Smile for Racism"

From Indian Country Today Media Network, LLC, an internationally-recognized multimedia platform, solely-owned by the Oneida Indian Nation of New York, comprised of a full-service website, and This Week from Indian Country Today, a weekly magazine, comes this article about the 2011 art show in Paris that included eleven Native American artists from Oklahoma.

Aquila Theatre presents "bold" version of "The Importance of Being Earnest" March 23 at UW

From a UW press release:

Aquila Theatre will perform a bold interpretation of "The Importance of Being Earnest" Friday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences auditorium.

Tickets cost $26 for the public and $23 for senior citizens and students. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.uwyo.edu/fineart_ticket/tickets.aspx or by phone at (307) 766-6666. Tickets also are available in-person at the Wyoming Union ticket office.

Oscar Wilde's most famous play is an audience favorite. It portrays razor-sharp wit in a dizzy romantic comedy. "The Importance of Being Earnest" tells the tale of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, both young men, who have taken to bending the truth to add excitement to their lives and to secretly escape the social expectations of the English upper class exemplified by Lady Bracknell.

Based in New York City, Aquila Theatre creates bold interpretations of classical plays for contemporary audiences. The New York Times describes the theater "as a classically trained, modern hip troupe." Aquila is the professional company-in-residence at the New York University's Center for Ancient Studies.

Aquila presents a regular season of plays in New York, performs at international festivals and tours approximately 70 American towns and cities each year. It also produces an extensive educational program on performing and producing classical plays through schools, workshops and rural and urban communities.

Photo: Aquila Theatre will perform a bold interpretation of Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest" at the University of Wyoming Arts and Sciences auditorium March 23.

The Hostile Takeover Hip-Hop Tour hits Cheyenne May 14

THE TRIBE ZOO TATTOO, THE DEN and JAKE BYRD PRESENTS THE HOSTILE TAKEOVER TOUR FEATURING TECH N9NE AND MACHINE GUN KELLY!

IT WILL BE AT THE CHEYENNE ICE AND EVENT CENTER MAY 14. TOUR CONSISTS OF 91 SHOWS IN 99 DAYS MAKING IT THE BIGGEST TOUR IN HIP HOP HISTORY! TICKETS WILL BE ON SALE AT ERNIE NOVEMBERS STARTING APRIL 1ST

Military and Student discounts available for PRESALE ONLY- Must have VALID ID and present it to Ernie November's.

$26 PRE-SALE for MILITARY or STUDENT
$31 PRE-SALE for General Admission
$36 Day of show.

Get your tickets FAST cause this WILL SELL OUT! Go to http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001453619003

Bring your songs, stories and poems to open mic night March 28 at Laramie County Public Library

Verismo Trio in Casper March 11

Verismo Trio, a chamber group from Laramie, will be playing in Casper at the Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, 4600 S. Poplar, on Sunday, March 11beginning at 4 p.m. Ticket prices are $8 for adults, $6 seniors, $2 students, and 12 and under are free.

The program will highlight contemporary works (written since the early part of the 20th Century) in all styles: French neo-Romantic, American tonal, and Latin jazz will all make appearances. The trio will also be performing pieces by Pulitzer Prize-winner Jennifer Higdon, who served as guest artist-in-residence at UW in the 2010-2011 academic year, as well as a monumental work by colleague and friend of the trio Russell Peterson, saxphonist and professor of music at nearby Concordia College in Minnesota.

The Verismo Trio has performed for audiences from remote regions of the Rocky Mountains to the inner city with their dynamic performances. Celebrated for their brilliant virtuoisty and colorful musicianship, the trio members perform everything from Debussy to jazz for a wide array audiences. They are active in promoting emergent and established composers' works alike and have collaborated with internationally acclaimed artists. In demand as clinicians and performers, the Verismo Trio is dedicated to training young chamber musicians.