November FOTM Newsletter from the President

From the President, November 3, 2019

Hello Friends,

I am still coming down from the exhilarating high that was the Mason Players production of Rags!

We knew we were in for something special and the Players really came through. What an incredible experience for the audience. The Saturday evening performance was electric. Demand for tickets was so great that the balcony was opened. The energy level from the cast and orchestra was palpable. It continued to the lovely Friends of Theater and Friends of Music reception on Grand Tier 2 with a rousing and heartfelt champagne toast from Dean Rick Davis to cast, crew, designers and Friends. Most of the student cast members and many returning alumni joined us to enjoy the scrumptious desserts and to share the joy of the evening. It was a night to remember.

Word is spreading about how good School of Theater productions are. A class at OLLI by Dean Davis and Maestro Joe Walsh including a sampling of songs from Rags by the cast created such interest in the production that 60 OLLI members attended the Sunday performance, thanks to the hard work of FOT Board member Norma Reck. 

We are so happy to welcome Alice Magelssen-Green back from maternity leave. We have missed her while she has been home caring for her beautiful little baby boy Miles. We expect to see lots of pictures. While she has been away Cody Clarke and Emily Rusch have been filling in for her as our Development partners and we are very grateful to them for all their hard work. Alice returned on November 1 and hit the ground running with the Rags reception on Nov. 2. 

Exams are coming up and Friends of Theater will be providing snacks in the student lounge during Fall Reading Days December 9-10. If you would like to contribute to the goodies, contact Paulette Miller through FOTM.

Coming up next: New this season! Staged readings of cutting edge plays, selected and directed by our students, on four Friday afternoons throughout the year, free of charge! What started out last year as an idea from Mason student, Samuel Dunn has now become a part of the regular season. No scenery, props or costumes, just actors and the script. This is both an example of the self-motivation of our students and a creative way to give more students an opportunity to perform. All are welcome to attend on November 8 for Cock and Nov. 15 for Hir at 3:00 pm in Monson Grand Tier.

And on November 21-24 be sure to join us in TheaterSpace for one of Shakespeare's greatest comedies. Twelfth Night comes to life in 1969 during the infamous “three days of peace and music”–Woodstock! “Highlighting themes of music and love, the land of Illyria flourishes with vivid colors and an upbeat pulse that celebrates youth, challenges gender boundaries and social expectations, all while grappling with the specter of the Vietnam War.” Directed by senior Kayla Schultz this is one you won’t want to miss, especially if you came of age yourself in the Age of Aquarius!

See you in the theater!

Paulette Miller