5 6 3 5 E V E R H A R T R D, C O R P U S C H R I S T I , T X
CONTINUING HIS LEGACY
Ed Chapa was a fiercely passionate man with big aspirations and a love for the arts. What started as a simple thought shared with his wife, Mary, grew into a vision that was realized with the inception of the Aurora. The dream to open a quaint community theater on the Southside of Corpus Christi became a driving force in Ed’s life, and his dedication to the cause served as an inspiration to all he met. The success of the Aurora lives on as a testament to the strength of his vision and of his faith in the many volunteers and community supporters who gave of their time and hearts as much as he gave of his.
Have you been naughty? Well, I’m guessing not, because Santa sent us a wonderful gift for the holidays – The Wonderettes! These amazing ladies take the stage once again and fill our hearts with warmth and merriment. The music selections in the production bring back memories of yesteryear that are sure to put a smile on your face and pull on your heart strings. I thank you all wholeheartedly for joining us as we celebrate this Holiday Season. From the Aurora Arts Theatre family to yours, we wish you love, health, and happiness. Thank you for including us in your Christmas celebrations.
Mar y C hap a
Mary Chapa Executive Director & Owner
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A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR This is the third time I have had the great opportunity to be a part of this show. The first two productions, I was the vocal director. This time I was blessed to be named the director and I am so excited to have this opportunity. The times are getting better but they are still precarious… this is the perfect time for a laugh, for some heart and a perfect time to put some theatre in our lives. The Winter Wonderettes…. A four-woman singing group, The Marvelous Wonderettes, celebrating Christmas at a company Christmas party. The 60’s were a time of great music and girl groups were huge. This show brings the Christmas songs we are familiar with from that era. Songs that bring joy and puts us into the feels of the holiday season. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” to “Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer” and on thru to “Santa Baby” and “Winter Wonderland,” you get to feel the heart of these characters. I am sure you will be able to identify with each and every one of them. I would like to say thank you to several people who have made this show possible for me over the years and now. Thank you to Debra Aguilar, Autumn Caro and Whitney Taylor for once again returning to reprise their roles they have played two times prior. To Sarah Beth Rodriguez, for coming into this production as a newbie in the role of Suzy with these two-time veterans and holding your own beautifully. To Christin Espinosa (Choreographer) and Ernest Pruneda (Props Master) … I could not have done this show without you. To Mary Chapa, for believing in my and allowing me to have fun and do what I love to do. To Dylan Casper Rios and Bryan Meza for aiding in keeping this theatre afloat during the pandemic. To Burt Baxter for always being there, even when times were hard, to make sure the sets and mechanics of the show are always running beautifully. To Tanya Stegall and the Band (John Wayne Davis and Luke Alvarado) for being on top of the music and doing an amazing job as usual. We survived 2020, 2021, the coronavirus, and a possible loss of a theatre that means so much to so many in this town. We will continue to overcome.
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Lastly, I would like to dedicate this show to some people. I want to dedicate this show to everyone we have lost over the last two years, either to the pandemic or to various other illnesses. This is for those people who never lost the love for theatre and performing. Finally, I want to dedicate this to you, the patrons. We would not have our doors opens if it weren’t for you coming and laughing and enjoys the work we do here and at every theatre in the area. The support you all continue to give to the arts in South Texas warms my heart… please keep doing so. Enjoy the show and take a piece of the heart that is in The Winter Wonderettes with you and spread that joy to everyone!!!!! Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!
Peter Lopez Peter Lopez Director
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GET INVOLVED
Have you always wanted to perform in your favorite play or musical? What are you waiting for! Visit auroraartstheatre.com to see upcoming auditions.
presents
Written & Created by Roger
Bean
Presented by special arrangement with Stage Rights (www.stagerights.com) Director
Peter Lopez Musical Director
Vocal Director
Tanya Stegall
Patrick & Holly Crowley
Burt Baxter
Set Construction
Lighting Design
Burt Baxter
Sound Design
Scenic Design
Technical Director
Choreographer
Christin Espinoza
Burt Baxter
Peter Lopez
Malorie Mosley Sound Op
Photography
Lauren Kuvet
Lighting Op
Alaina Gonzalez
Alex Chapa
Prop Master
Ernie Pruneda
Prop Crew
Morgan Newton Costumers
AAT Cast, Mary Chapa, Karen Barnes, Gracie Oralde Piano
Tanya Stegall
Bass
Luke Alvarado
Percussion
John Davis
Special Thanks
First Community Bank, Joseph & Amanda Ruiz, Jamie Strates Photos, video and/or audio recordings of this performance by any means whatsoever are strictly prohibited. Following the conclusion of our performance, an opportunity will be provided in the lobby for guests to meet and take photos with the cast members.
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MEET THE CAST Autumn Caro as Missy AA Theatre Arts teacher at Kaffie Middle School and sometimes Walker on Fear the Walking Dead, some of her performance credits include Nunsense (Sr. Amnesia), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey) 9 to 5 (Roz), The Wedding Singer (Linda), Sweeney Todd (Lucy), Chicago (Hunyak), Company (Jenny), The Pajama Game (Gladys), A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Be), and Godspell (Peggy). Autumn hopes you enjoy watching the show as much as she enjoys performing in it.
Sarah Beth Rodriguez as Suzy Sarah Beth is beyond excited to be back on the stage, and especially during her favorite time of the year! This is Sarah Beth’s third show with the Aurora Arts Theatre. She has appeared in The Rocky Horror Show and Rumors! She is so grateful to have been given the opportunity to perform in this years production of The Winter Wonderettes as Suzy with these talented women! “Thank you so much to all my family and friends who have offered me endless support and continue to push me to be the best I can be! Thank you to our fearless leader, Peter who casted me! I love y’all! Enjoy the show and Merry Christmas!”
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Whitney Taylor as Cindy Lou Whitney is thrilled to be back on the Aurora stage to reprise her role as Cindy Lou! She would like to thank her family for being her biggest supporters. She would also like to thank her incredibly talented castmates and the dedicated staff and crew that made this show possible. Enjoy the show! “R. This is for you!”
Debra Aguilar as Betty Jean Debra is so excited about re-creating her role in Winter Wonderettes. What gets you in the holiday spirit more that Christmas Songs. And she gets to perform them with three of the greatest girls ever. You might have also seen Debra onstage at Aurora in favorites like Mamma Mia, Nunsense, and Steel Magnolias to name a few. She has also directed several shows at Aurora including Christmas Story. She also plays flute and saxophone in the band when she can. She most recently was a Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors in Port Aransas. I’m sure you are as happy that live theater is back as she is. So, sit back and enjoy this wonderful tale of four friends at Christmas. “What’s next?”
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SUPPORT US
It’s because of you the lights keep shining and the actors keep acting. The goal of Aurora Arts Theatre is to give people an opportunity to reach their dreams and showcase their talents. In order to do this, we seek help from the community to help make dreams happen. We would like to thank the following for their support and contributions: Charles X. Chapa & family Roland A. Chapa & family Erica & Roland Almaraz Bryan Davis Lara Energy ZAZA Energy Tammy & John Hearn Alpha Air Conditioning/Heating H-E-B Debbie & Sam Isaacs
Priscilla’s Pantry David Garcia Debra & Scott Cornett Sue & Rex Halsey A.J. Soza Erin Craig Brenda Davis Wienerschnitzel Gaylord & Sue Hoyt NavyArmy Community Credit Union
If you are interested in making a donation to the Aurora Arts Theatre, visit auroraartstheatre.com or call 361-851-9700. 10 AURORA ARTS THEATRE
Aurora Arts Theatre is excited to announce auditions for its 2022 opener, “Our Lady of the Tortilla” by Luis Santeiro, directed by Laurie Guajardo December 8th & 9th at 6:30 pm. Show will run January 28, 2022 - March 12, 2022. Synopsis: The Cruz family is volatile even in the best of times. On this particular day, Nelson, the youngest son, enters the house in a panic to hide the more obvious religious relics from the sight of his “gringo” girlfriend, who is visiting for the weekend. Nelson’s mother, Dahlia, is obsessed with retrieving her husband from his new girlfriend; Eddy, her elder son, shows up in a van with his failed life and pregnant girlfriend. But the “real” pandemonium is caused by sweet, long-suffering Dolores, Dahlia’s old-maid sister, when she sees the face of the Holy Virgin in a tortilla. This miracle brings hordes of believers and reporters to camp out on the Cruz’s lawn to await further miracles. As the family struggles with beliefs and conflicts, old and new, the endurance of family love is revealed to be the real miracle. Character Descriptions: Dolores (Latina - 50s): A spinster caterer. Dolores is a little on the conservative side, religious and very giving. She can be a bit naive but loves her family and will do anything for them. Dahlia (Latina - late 40s): Dolores’ sister. Dahlia is blinded by the love for her estranged husband. She is quick witted and a bit jaded. She loves her sons very much. Eddy (Latino - 20s): Dahlia’s older son. Eddy is an example of the stereo-typical “macho” man. He is a womanizer and a smooth-talker. Nelson (Latino - 20s): Dahlia’s younger son. Nelson is your typical college student but very insecure about his culture. He doesn’t have a great relationship with his brother and he has a tendency to lie to his girlfriend about how his family actually behaves. Beverly (Non-Latina - 20s): Nelson’s girlfriend. Beverly is a very sweet and enthusiastic person. She likes Nelson a lot and his completely blind to Eddy’s advances. She is very excited to spend time with Nelson’s family and learning more about their culture. Please note: All races and ages are welcome to audition. Character races and ages are given as guidelines. Being bilingual is a plus but not required.
See you at auditions! AURORA ARTS THEATRE 13