Open Auditions For "Thunder Is The Mountain's Voice"

150 years ago in 1873, Isabella Bird, a famed victorian traveler and author, came to Estes Park and famously climbed Longs Peak when she was 41 years old. The Fine Arts Guild of the Rockies is celebrating Bird’s historic visit with the production of "Thunder is the Mountain's Voice: The Story of Rocky Mountain Jim and Isabella Bird." The play by Kiesa Kay was first produced by the FAGR 25 years ago, and we are delighted to stage another production sponsored by Visit Estes and directed by Denise Shank to celebrate this sesquicentennial.

Auditions will take place this Sunday, August 6th, at 2:00 p.m., and Monday, August 7th, at 6:30 p.m. Sign up for either date by scanning the QR code (open a smartphone’s camera app, focus on the QR code, and click on the link that pops up). Auditions will be at the Arts Center of Estes Park, 517 Big Thompson Ave., Unit 201. We look forward to seeing you there!

Auditions require no preparation. Sign up for a time slot and just show up for a cold reading. In a cold reading, you will be assigned different parts to read aloud from the script. During the audition, you may be asked to read different roles to see which character you best connect with.

This play has a cast of ten, some of which can be combined so that one person plays two roles. If you are interested in reading a copy of the play to learn more about the characters before the audition, a copy of the play is available to review in the Estes Valley Library. Here are the characters:

Isabella Bird, age 42, a woman adventurer

Rocky Mountain Jim Nugent, age 45, a mountain man

Griff Evans, age 45, owner of a ranch

Jinny Evans, Griff Evans daughter, age 17

Platt Rogers, 20s, a student

Sylvester Downer, 20s, a student

Lord Hague, age 42, a nefarious wheeler-dealer

Hennie Bird, age 40, Isabella's sister Nurse Moore, age 27, a nurse

William Brown, age 32, Rocky Mountain Jim's friend

If you don't fall nicely into those age ranges, come audition anyway! Age is relative; stage makeup can perform magic.

The rehearsal schedule will be set based on the schedules of the cast members. However, it will be twice a week for two hours each beginning September 5th. Shortly before production dates, which occur the first weekend in November, rehearsals will increase for tech rehearsals.

Bird wrote of Estes Park, “Nothing that I have seen in Colorado compares with Estes Park.” She further summarized, “There is nothing of beauty of grandeur for which the heart can wish that is not here.” We couldn’t agree more. We hope you will join us for open auditions to celebrate this accomplished explorer and travel writer.

GHAVFD Pancake Breakfast A Huge Success

By: Katie Jaros

A simple thank you hardly seems enough for all the support the GHAVFD has received this year!

This year’s pancake breakfast was a great success! We had 700 adults, and 45 kids who joined us for breakfast. Our Bake sale sold out and it was not surprising. Everything looked fabulous! Thank you to all the bakers for supporting in this way; you know who you are.

Our Financial and In-Kind Supporters were: Bank of Colorado, Bank of Estes Park, Kind Coffee (Coffee), YMCA of the Rockies (Tables/Chairs), Air-O-Pure (Porta Potties) and Media Sponsor Estes Park News/Gary & Kris Hazelton.

The amazing people and businesses who donated to our silent auction came out strong with their donations. The business supporters were: Bighorn Sheep/NAPA, Images of RMNP, Ace Hardware, White Elk Glass, Estes Park Lumber, Estes Park Mountain Shop, Ride A Kart, Burgers and Gyros, Mama Rose’s, Poppy’s Pizza, Reel Mountain Theater, Aspen Eye Care, Wynbrier Gallery, Colorado Homestead, Brownfield’s, Enchanted Florist, Jamoka Joe’s, Glen Haven General Store, Stanley Hotel, Estes Valley Community Center, The Bull Pin Bowling, Cabintique, Estes Park Pet Lodge, Estes Park Golf Course, EP Special Events, Mother’s Café-Carol Cater, Salon Margaux/Lisa Devine, Rock Cut Brewery, Snowy Peaks Winery, Gla- cier Lily Spa, Salon Margaux/Gail, Lazy B, The Mad Moose, Estes Park Chiropractic, Rocky Mountain Conservancy, Stanley Construction, Kick A-Z Inspections, Dakota Jewelry, Longhorn Liquor, Munchin’ House, Caramel Corn, The Lazy Moose, Shining Moon Boutique, American Legion, Trailhead Restaurant, RV Doctor, Chick Fil-A, EP Farmers Market, Cookies, Just Because. If you get a chance to go out and support these businesses as a thank you, please do!

Individual and Family supporters are: Kira Koldway, Sarah and Tony Fink, Betty Worthington, Jessie Peck, Greg Rodenmeyer, Loretta Martens, Coni Householter, Rudy and Susie Garza, Laura and Bert Johansen, Linda and Scott Ashton, Bruce Brown, Sonja McTeague, Sid Brown, Laura Brown, Hugh McTeague, Bob Clarke, Lois Norris, Chuck Reynolds, Beth and Geral Michitsch, Jeanie Jupp, Samantha Stanley, Cade Stanley, Leah DeCapio, Marsha & Ken Hobert, Helen Stanley, Paul and Marguerite Besson, The Housers, Don Cole, and the firemen of Glen Haven.

Altogether, the Auxiliary was able to raise around $28,000. With this event that supports approximately 20% of GHAVFD’s annual budget it was a tremendous success! If you missed this year, mark your calendar for next year’s breakfast!

Again, thank you for all your support!

Children from the ages of 4-10 years are invited to join us for a night of fun. Parent’s Night Out is scheduled for Saturday August 5th and will last from 5-8 p.m. Parents can drop off their children at the church for an evening out and know their children are having fun in a safe, Christian environment. Pizza and lemonade will be provided as well as games and other activities.

Cornerstone Church is located at 2200 Mall Rd.

Call 970-586-2463 for more information.

Los niños de 4 a 10 años de edad están invitados a unirse a nosotros para una