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Monroe County Civic Theater
From Bloomingpedia
Monroe County Civic Theater, a not-for-profit community theater, aims to bring quality theater to Monroe County and surrounding areas and to provide experience in all aspects of theater production to all interested persons. The curtain rose on MCCT's first production on September 12th, 1986. 2007 is their twenty-first season, which began with their ninety-ninth production.
They have presented plays from many centuries; from Greek and Medieval plays to modern times, including Shakespeare, Molière, Racine, Tom Taylor, Gilbert and Sullivan, Checkov, Shaw, Wilde, Ibsen, Coward, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Sondheim, Bram Stoker, and ten children's plays.
They have performed at the Waldron Arts Center, the Bloomington Playwrights Project, Harmony School (outdoors and indoors), Karst Farm Park, the Monroe County Public Library auditorium, the Monroe County Historical Society Museum, Rhino's All-Ages Music Club, the Irish Lion, and various schools and health care centers in Monroe County, and have recently branched out to perform in Spencer and Brown County as well.
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Series
Shakespeare in the Park
MCCT is perhaps best known for its Shakespeare in the Park series. It began in 1990 with a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at Harmony School and in 1992 moved to Third Street Park's outdoor stage. They currently present two Shakespeare productions each summer, one in June and one in September. Often, one of the two productions is done in traditional style, while the other is a more experimental show.
In 2007, the June performance was Antony and Cleopatra, directed by Phillip Addison. Phil directed Julius Caesar in 2005 and convinced several of his previous cast to reprise their roles in this production, giving the effect of presenting a sequel. The September performance was Romeo and Juliet, directed by Russell McGee. Russ presented this classic love story set in Bloomington's high schools, with the Montagues and Capulets cast as opposing football teams.
In 2008, the June performance will be The Tempest, directed by Ben Aldred. Ben plans to infuse his presentation of Shakespeare's tale of shipwreck, love and magic with the flavor of Vodoun. The September show will be The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
Directors' Symposium
The Directors' Symposium was introduced in 1996 with the intent of allowing local talent to get their feet wet in the business of theater. It is presented as an evening of one-act plays, allowing people to experiment, act, produce, and otherwise "try out" theater without having to commit to a full-length show. Initially, this series was intended specifically for new directors, but recently it has been open to anyone, whether new or not. The selections for this annual Spring show have also been increasingly new, locally-written plays, adding another level to the experience.
In 2008, the Directors' Symposium will feature ten ten-minute plays by local playwrights including Andy Alphonse, Sue Capalto, Ruth Aaron Grove, Breshaun B. Joyner, Kelly Lusk, Holly McClane, Albert Powell, and Mike Smith. Directors will include Andy Alphonse, Jack Johnson, Hannah Moss, and David Nosko.
Dinner Theatre
In 2005, MCCT expanded their calendar to include a dinner theatre series in cooperation with the Irish Lion. These plays were initially performed upstairs at the Irish Lion and also at varying venues in Spencer, but have since branched out to other Bloomington venues as well. Although not always designed specifically to appeal to children, they are usually kid-safe in view of the family-oriented venues in which they are presented.
In 2007, the series consists of three shows. In February, Ben Aldred directed his original play Social Circles, an exploration of the concept of love through a series of short scenes. At Halloween, Russell McGee presented his take on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (production still gallery). And of course at Christmastime, MCCT offered its third annual production of A Christmas Carol, directed by David Nosko.
Two shows are planned so far for 2008. The first was Roy Sillings's adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass, directed by David Nosko, in February and early March. The second show will be Ruth Aaron Grove's adaptation of the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, directed by Hannah Moss, in May.
Upcoming Performances
- Little Red Riding Hood, by Ruth Aaron Grove, directed by Hannah Moss
- Admission to all performances is free, donations accepted.
- Rachel's Cafe
- 7:30pm, May 15, 22 and 29, 2008
- The Cinemat
- 7:30pm, May 16 and 17, 2008
- Monroe County Public Library Auditorium
- 3:00pm, May 18 and June 1, 2008
- First United Methodist Church
- 7:30pm, May 23, 2008
- Brown County Public Library
- 3:00pm, May 25, 2008
- Mayfield's MCL Cafeteria
- 7:30pm, May 30 and 31, 2008
- The Tempest, by William Shakespeare, directed by Ben Aldred
- Third Street Park Stage
- 7:00pm, June 6, 7, 13 and 14, 2008
- Admission Free, Donations Accepted
- Third Street Park Stage
- The Two Gentlemen of Verona, by William Shakespeare
- Third Street Park Stage
- 7:00pm, September 12, 13, 19 and 20, 2008
- Third Street Park Stage
Venues
MCCT does not own a theater building or stage. Therefore, performances are in several different locations. Some organizations allow the Civic Theater to "borrow" space, at some locations space is rented, and at some locations shows are performed as co-productions with the owner of the venue.
Third Street Park
Third Street Park is where the magic happens every June and September for Shakespeare in the Park. These shows are put on in association with Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. This is an outdoor venue, so inclement weather may occasionally force a performance to be cancelled. Admission to all shows at this venue is free, though donations are accepted.
The park is located between Lincoln Street and Washington Street near downtown, behind the police station. The stage is on the opposite end of the park from the police station.
John Waldron Arts Center
MCCT makes use of both the Rose Firebay and the Auditorium at the Waldron Arts Center. This is one of their most common venues. The Rose Firebay has housed the Directors' Symposium for several years. Ticket prices for this venue are currently set at $12 for general admission and $9 for students.
The Waldron is located at the corner of 4th Street and Walnut Street in Bloomington. The Rose Firebay is on the first floor, and the Auditorium is on the third floor.
Bloomington Playwrights Project
Although MCCT has not had a performance at the Bloomington Playwrights Project in some time, they work in a spirit of cooperation with the group and may return to the BPP stage in the future.
The BPP is located on 9th Street between College Avenue and Walnut Street.
Board of Directors
The current board of directors is:
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The Board meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Monroe County Public Library, unless otherwise noted on their Web site. Meetings are open to the public. Elections are held each January at the annual membership meeting.
MCCT Members
Contact Information
Postal Mail:
7778 N. Red Hill Rd. Ellettsville, IN 47429
E-mail:
info@mcct.org
Phone:
(812) 876-8758
