FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FORMS PLEASE VISIT https://www.leedsartscouncil.org/theatre/theatrelinks/

Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right!

Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein. Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience.

Assuming that Gov. Ivey opens up Alabama this week, auditions will be held on Saturday May 2, 10 am and 11 am; Monday May 4, 7 pm and 8 pm; and Tuesday May 5, 7 pm and 8 pm. Please contact Debbie Landry by email or phone (info below) to let us know which date and time work best for you, so that we can control the number of people anticipated at a given time. More details will be available soon about this process.

Males and females, teens and up (a few parts for younger children no younger than 7). Those ages teens to mid-thirties especially encouraged to audition, although there are roles for those older as well. Please prepare 16 bars of preferably musical theatre song, but any song is fine as long as it showcases what you can do! An accompanist will be provided; please bring sheet music in the appropriate key for your audition.

Cold readings from the script will also be conducted, with a possibility of callbacks. A movement/choreography combination will be taught. Dance experience is a plus but not necessary—we will teach you what you need to know within your ability. Veteran performers AND newcomers encouraged to audition! This is a community theatre production, so all are welcome, but understand that quality of the finished product will definitely be expected and is not going to be compromised—great experience for all. This is indeed a dynamic and absolutely exciting show you want to be a part of. For questions you may e-mail the director, Michael R. Bridges mbridges6231@gmail.com

To schedule an audition, contact Debbie Landry at (205) 699-0712 or debbie.landry22@gmail.com

Performance dates are July 23-26 and July 30-31 and August 1-2.

UPDATE due to current health crisis: If Gov. Ivey opens up our state and we make it to Phase 3 by the first of June, we plan to have the summer student theater workshop as planned. Go ahead and send in your student’s paperwork to reserve the spot. You can wait to pay on the first day of camp, after we know for sure we’ll be able to have the camp! Fingers crossed!

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FORMS PLEASE VISIT https://www.leedsartscouncil.org/theatre/theatrelinks/

The Leeds Arts Council is proud to announce that  Disney’s Moana JR.  is the show chosen for the Summer Student Theater Workshop for students in grades 2-12.  The workshop will be held June 1-14 at the Leeds Theater and Arts Center, in downtown Leeds.   The workshop is a two-week workshop, with students attending 8 am to 12 noon, Monday through Friday.  There will be four performances: Friday June 12 at 7 pm, Saturday June 13 at 2 pm and 7 pm, and Sunday June 14 at 2 pm.  The director is Michael Bridges, award-winning drama director at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School. 

Based on the 2016 movie, an adventurous teenager sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey Moana meets the once-mighty demigod Maui, who guides her in her quest to become a master way-finder. Together they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds. Along the way, Moana fulfills the ancient quest of her ancestors and discovers the one thing she always sought: her own identity.

The cost of the workshop is $225 per child.  If more than one child from a family attends, the cost of any additional child will be $200.   Each child who attends the workshop will have a part in the play and will appear on stage.  Tickets to all four performances will be open to family and friends of students for $5 each.

Registration must be received in person or by mail by 12 noon on Friday May 22.  Checks are to be made out to Leeds Arts Council and returned with the registration.  The maximum number of participants will be 35; if this number of registrations is reached before May 22, registration will be cut off at that point.  Please complete the registration form and return it as soon as possible.  We are looking forward to a great workshop!

For more information, contact Debbie Landry or the Leeds Arts Council office. 

Debbie Landry
(205) 699-0712
debbie.landry22@gmail.com

LAC office
(205) 699-1892
leedsartscouncilal@gmail.com

Stephanie Jean Gaston is the Leeds Arts Council’s featured artist in March.   The public is invited to the opening reception on Sunday, March 1, 2020, 1:30-3:30 pm to view her beautiful paintings.  Admission is free.

Stephanie lives in Odenville Alabama with her husband Wayne and daughter Penelope.  She learned to love and appreciate art from her mother, who loved to paint and sketch.  Stephanie started painting 10 years ago while living in Florida.  She is a self-taught painter whose favorite medium is acrylics, but she has been known to dabble in oils.

Stephanie’s portfolio of work includes such things as nature, landscapes, surrealism, and pour paintings. Recently she participated in Birmingham’s very first art battle at Thomas Andrew Art and she participates in punk rock art shows.  Stephanie is very excited and grateful for the opportunity to showcase her own artistic perspective at the Leeds Art Center.  She believes that artistic expression is vital for people from every walk and station in life.

Ms. Gaston’s paintings will be on exhibit at the Leeds Arts Center through April 3, 2020. 

The Arts Center is located at 8140 Parkway Drive, in downtown Leeds.  The gallery is open during events.  In case of inclement weather, call the center at 205-699-1892 to confirm opening hours.

Aodh Og O’Tuama and Christy Martin
Celtic, Folk, and World Music

The husband/wife duo of Aodh Og O’Tuama from Cork, Ireland and Christy Martin from California, have been performing together since 1995. They tour in the US and Ireland, are independent folk artists with 12 recordings, perform 150 concerts a year, and live as troubadours of old, traveling from town to town, performing at music festivals, theaters and performing arts centers, folk and historic societies, libraries, museums, and schools.

Aodg Og O’Tuama: vocals, tin whistles, doumbek, spoons, gemshorn, bowed psaltery, recorders, crumhorn, Native American flutes, and many others.

Born in Cork, Ireland, Aodh Og (pronounced, Ayog) studied Medieval and Renaissance music in college. He received a music fellowship to study at Stanford University in 1984. He played in a group called Drivelling Druids before forming the group Four Shillings Short.

Christy Martin: vocals, hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, mandolin, mandola and bouzouki, banjo, North Indian sitar, guitar, charango, bowed psaltery, ukulele, and bodhran.

A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Christy was born into a musical family. She played the sitar for 10 years, starting at the age of 16. She took up folk music in the 1980s, and has been playing the hammered dulcimer since 1993. She was formerly in a band called Your Mother Should Know.

Tickets $10 per person.

For ticket reservations, call the Leeds Arts Council at (205) 699-1892, leave a message, someone will return your call. OR, email leedsartscouncilal@gmail.com

Tuesdays, 5:30-6:30 pm
Leeds Theater and Arts Center – 8140 Parkway Drive in downtown Leeds

Registration Form for winter/spring 2020

Leeds Arts Council is offering an opportunity for young performers to perform at an open mic in a family friendly setting. We have spots for 10 performers, for about 10 minutes each.

There will be a microphone and a sound system. Bring your own instrument, although there is a keyboard available. We are not set up for a band situation, just solos or small groups with easy set-up and take-down. If using an accompaniment track, we do have a CD player, or we can hook a phone into the sound system.

You will need to come at some point prior to Saturday night to rehearse with the sound system. We will set up that time the week prior to the performance.

The application form follows this information. There is no charge to the performers; there will be a $5 ticket price for audience members. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Debbie Landry or the Leeds Arts Council office. 

Debbie Landry
(205) 699-0712
debbie.landry22@gmail.com

LAC office
(205) 699-1892
leedsartscouncilal@gmail.com

Return this Registration Form to Debbie Landry