Category: Community Theater

Steve Jefferson finds a powerful and emotional story of truth as he takes on the role of Reverend Sykes

WNZR’s Eric Brown talks with Steve Jefferson, who plays Reverend Sykes in MTVArts’ production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Woodward Opera House.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Steve got involved in theater after retiring from a teaching career at the Knox County Career Center. He shares how stepping into theater opened a whole new world and gave him an appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that makes each production possible.

Steve talks about the powerful, true-to-life story of this show. He shares that he wanted to be part of a production that tells such an important story.

Steve shares about his preparation for this role and the relationships he has built with the cast. He encourages the community to come out and see the show. Steve calls this show a powerful and emotional story that reflects important truths and leaves audiences thinking long after the performance ends.

Performances of To Kill a Mockingbird will take place at the Woodward Opera House on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on May 10th at 2:00 p.m.

Click HERE for more information or to buy tickets!

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Seeing the Story Through Her Eyes: Grace Shank Steps Into the Role of Scout Finch

WNZR’s Eric Brown talks with Grace Shank, who plays Scout Finch in MTVArts’ production of To Kill a Mockingbird at the Woodward Opera House.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Grace is a 17-year-old junior at East Knox, and she takes on the role of young Scout in the show. An older version of Scout—Jean Louise—helps tell the story, but Grace says her focus has been figuring out how to bring that younger perspective to life. That’s meant thinking and reacting more like a kid who’s still trying to understand everything going on around her.

She says one of the things she likes most about Scout is how honest she is. Scout says what she’s thinking, asks questions, and doesn’t really hold back. That plays into one of Grace’s favorite moments in the show—the final scene—when Scout begins to see Boo Radley in a different light and realizes she may have had him all wrong.

This is Grace’s 12th production, and she says Beauty and the Beast has been one of her favorites over the years. Even though she plans to pursue a career as a forensic investigator, she still hopes to stay involved in theater when she can.

She also says the cast has made this experience especially memorable. Even with the heavier themes in the show, there’s been a lot of fun behind the scenes, and she’s enjoyed getting to know everyone.

Grace says if someone is thinking about trying theater, they should go for it. Each show is a chance to learn something new and get a little better.

Performances of To Kill a Mockingbird will take place at the Woodward Opera House on Friday, May 8th and Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on May 10th at 2:00 p.m.

Click HERE for more information or to buy tickets!

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Tony Montgomery Takes on Two Roles in Orange Barrel’s “The Little Princess”

Tony Montgomery from Orange Barrel Productions plays two parts in the play The Little Princess, Captain Crewe and Mr. Carrisford.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

He tells our Marcy Rinehart how he got into theater starting in 1999. He has also been in 50 productions including Orange Barrel starting in 2007 as well as other MTV Arts productions including Beauty and the Beast.

Tony explains how he has been preparing for both roles including using some of his real-life experiences into the characters.

He says that he likes both characters because they both want to help Sara.

He also explains what he will be wearing in the production as both characters.

He adds that both characters are portrayed a little differently than other similar productions.

He also explains how vital wardrobe can be to not only the audience but the actor or actress who need to get into character.

Tony gives some insight into the back story of the play. He says that Sara was a little princess growing up then faces some adversity and drops to a lower level of society.

Tony says that it has been interesting seeing the different castes that were a part of society at the time the play is set.

He says that his favorite memory in this show (and most shows) that the cast effectively becomes a family. He says it has been a treat to see the young cast members grow personally.

He says people should come see the Little Princess because at its core it is a story about making the most out of a bad situation with a positive attitude.

Click HERE for information and to buy tickets for the performances!

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Hera Shupp Turns Villain in The Little Princess

Hera Shupp sat down with WNZR’s Eric Brown to talk about her role in the upcoming Orange Barrel Production of the Little Princess.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

She got interested in acting from elementary school and high school she took a break while she started raising a family. She got back into acting after seeing Oliver at the Knox Memorial Theatre and when she heard about Orange Barrel she started with them.

Hera played Rachel Lynn in “Anne of Green Gables” last year. She is playing as the main antagonist, Miss Maria Minchin in “The Little Princess”, she’s been preparing by watching how other people played the character and by coming up with her own unique backstory for the character. She likes getting to be challenged by being a villain. She talks about her costume she’ll be wearing during the show.

She talks briefly about the show and the basic outline of the show. She talks about her favorite part of the show, she likes getting to be villainous with the janitor during the show, and her other favorite scene is when the main character stands up to her. She talks about one of her favorite memories of the show.

Performances:
November 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 7:00 PM

Location:
Mount Vernon Developmental Center – Crossroads Theater, Administration Building
1250 Vernonview Drive, Mt. Vernon, OH 43050

Click HERE to learn more and purchase tickets for The Little Princess!

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Josh Callahan Foley talks to us about The Importance of Being Earnest

This week we are featuring Orange Barrel’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest!

Josh Callahan Foley plays Algernon in the production and he got to talk with us.

He shares about how he got into theatre, a bit about his character, and why you should come see the show! You can see the show this weekend at the Mount Vernon Developmental Center!

Click HERE to learn more about Orange Barrel Productions!

Click HERE for the information on the production!

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Lily Davis talks to us about The Importance of Being Earnest!

This week we are featuring Orange Barrel’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest!

Lily Davis plays Merriman and Grimsby in the production and she got to talk with us. She tells us all about the show, her characters, and her acting past!

The show opens up on October 3rd at the Mount Vernon Developmental Center and you won’t want to miss it!

For more information click HERE!

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NOAH – LIVE is coming to theaters this week!

The Morning Thing talked with Stephanie Lefever, Communications Manager at Sight & Sound Theatres about the exciting theatrical release of NOAH – LIVE!
Sight & Sound’s flagship production, NOAH, is setting sail for movie theaters nationwide!
Stephanie talked about this special 30th anniversary celebration and the process of taking this extraordinary production from the big stage to the big screen.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation with Stephanie and WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.

Click HERE to find a list of show times and theaters. 

Here is the Trailer:

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Sandy Cheeks gives us the details on SpongeBob The Musical!

MTV Arts presents SpongeBob the Musical tonight!

On the Morning Thing Friday, Marcy Rinehart spoke with Kiarah Smith who is playing Sandy Cheeks!

Kiarah details the big production coming up! She talks about her love of theatre and her preparation for her role. Kiarah’s favorite part of the production and some of her best memories so far are also a highlight!

For more information on the show click HERE!

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NO! THIS IS PATRICK!!!! Carpenter Talks about Role as Patrick in SpongeBob the Musical

WNZR spoke to Karma Carpenter about her role as Patrick Star in the performance, she says she watched a lot of the show to play her favorite character.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Karma gives an example of what voice she’s doing for the show.

Karma talks about how her character Is perfect in the way where she’s able to be creative in how she plays it.

Click HERE for information on SpongeBob the Musical!

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Ortel Enjoys Breaking News in SpongeBob the Musical!

Vincent Ortel spoke with WNZR about his role in the musical as Perch Perkins who is a news host.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Vincent talks about how he enjoys how his character can easily give bad news.

Vincent talks about that since this is his first performance he didn’t think he was going to get a part, but he was excited to get one.

Vincent goes on explaining how his costume is going to look in the show.

Vincent gives some advice to kids who haven’t done a performance but want to get started.

Vincent says people should come out and see the performance because it will be a memorable show all.

Click HERE for information on SpongeBob the Musical!

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