Offstage Noises - Fall 2021

noises

Offstage

Fall 2021

2020 Non-Profit of the Year To our surprise, MHT was awarded Non-Profit of the Year, Arts & Culture for 2020 by the Chamber of Commerce. We are so honored, and humbled, to have received this award for the work that MHT did in 2020. It was a challenging year for everyone, and we did what we could to continue to celebrate art and further our mission.

from the desk of

Michael Cochran

Opening the Season at the Honky Tonk At the end of Always...Patsy Cline, audience members searched me out and told me this was the best show they had seen at MHT. Kim Yocum, who played Patsy, brought so much to her performance that audiences were on their feet every performance with standing ovations. Newcomer Rachael Dodson, performing in her first show ever, also brought so much energy to the role of Louise that audiences couldn’t help but feel the joy she had in performing the role. Backed up by an amazing band, the show will be remembered for a very long time. We would have been Crazy to not open our season with it.

Fall Programming With the closing of Always...Patsy Cline, we enter a time from now through December where we have new shows every couple of weeks. We do as much of our seasonal programming in the four months in the fall as we do in the six months in the spring. For children and families, we enjoyed Playtime performances of Goldilocks in the outdoor Courtyard Theatre and are looking forward to Winnie the Pooh, part of the Family Series,

"We enjoy our successes, but we always keep our eyes fixed the on the future" in the main theatre in October. MHT's annual Ghost Tours are back this year where tour-goers get to hear the darker side of downtown Paducah's history and the chilling tales of the past lives of residents in Oak Grove Cemetery. Ghost Tours run every Friday and Saturday in October. It's truly a spooky time! The 58th Signature Season begins its the slate of three World Premieres, starting with Riot: Asbury Park in November.

The Next Stage Update We are in the final months of work on the Finkel's building which will, hopefully, be finished by the end of the year to wrap up the Next Stage Project.

Walk the streets of Downtown Paducah while hearing the legends and lore, including the haunting histories of the ghost of the morning star saloon, the ghost of the laughing ladies, Popular Foot, The First National Bank, Harry Hank, Stella Cohen, the ghost of Maiden Alley, Paducah’s attempted witch burning and Devil Winston. Tours begin at 6:30, 7:30, & 8:30 PM

What's Next?

The success of our plays and recognition of MHT’s programming doesn’t happen by accident; planning is a big part of every action the theatre takes. MHT’s play selection committee is starting the process of looking at shows for the 59th season even though we just opened the 58th.

MHT’s Strategic Planning Committee is planning for where the theatre goes in the next 10 years as we finish up the plan from the last 10 years.

We enjoy our successes, but we always keep our eyes fixed the on the future, because today’s successes are the products of yesterday’s planning infused with our mission, vision, and values clearly in mind. We know we are succeeding when we are challenging ourselves to continually improve each year and as each new season has audience members saying “This is the best show you’ve ever done!”

The MHT ghostly guides lead you through the cemetery while sharing the haunting history and stories about its residents, including Mannie Saunders Cobb, Huntington Row, Civil War soldiers, Oak Grove Cemetery legends, Della Barnes, Reuben Saunders, and the great flood. Tours begin at 6:00, 6:45, 7:30 & 8:15 PM.

Paducah is rich with history and some rather haunting tales as well! Join the MHT Ghostly Guides for lantern-lit walking tours of downtown Paducah and Oak Grove Cemetery, filled with stories of misfortune, murders, and the eerie cases of unsolved deaths! Ghost tours are an oral history of many of the legends and lore of Paducah and Western KY’s darker history drawn from newspaper accounts, books, letters and eyewitnesses to events.

Tickets: Adults: $15, Children (8-12): $8

270.444.6828 | MarketHouseTheatre.org

MHT welcomes new Technical Director An interview with

Jerome Veit

Q: Where are you from?

I'm from Crystal Lake, Illinois. A northwest suburb of Chicago.

Q: What is your past work experience?

Previously, I worked 3 summers at McLeod Summer Playhouse as a carpenter, then Lead Carpenter, and finally as the sound designer/ engineer. I was going to work for Utah Shakespeare Festival in the summer of 2020 as a carpenter.

Q: Where did you go to school/what did you study?

I went to Southern Illinois University Carbondale where I studied Theater specializing in Technical Direction.

I also studied film for a while before getting pulled back into theater.

Q: What interested you in working for Market House Theatre?

I got a text from a guy I went to school with asking if I was looking for work and was put in contact with MHT. After visiting and seeing the facilities and history of the theatre, I became more interested!

Q: Are you liking Paducah so far?

It is a nice town that has more to offer then one would think at first glance. Though I haven't truly had the time to explore as much as I would like to!

Q: What are your goals for your role as TD? My first goal is to provide technical support for performances and to make sure it is done in a safe, efficient way. Then, my second goal is to organize the technical spaces in order to be more efficient and resourceful with the materials we have.

Q: What's your favorite part of the technical theatre world?

I like it all. I enjoy getting into the details of a show and doing the things no one thinks of when they think of theater. I enjoying being part of the process of taking a few sketches and turning it into a real, physical thing. I also really like that no two days are the same and no two shows are the same.

Q: What's your favorite show you've ever worked on and why?

In college, a group of undergrads decided to get together and fully produce, build, and perform a show

ourselves, as professionally as we could. The show was called Punk Rock. We were able to fundraise, while getting some support from the theater department, like being able to use all the facilities and materials, but otherwise it was all done just by us and it was fantastic. We did as good a job, if not better, than some of the shows put on by the college. It was all together a fun and collaborative project to round off our college experience.

Q: What else should we know about you?

I'm lucky that I was able to turn my hobby into a career. Working in theater can be a lot of hard, long work, but can also be very rewarding. My family has always supported me and I grateful to them for all they have done for me. In my free time I enjoy watching TV and movies; lately I've been watching a lot of sci-fi shows.

I just finished watching most of the Star Trek series for the first time. I love good food and I very been, slowly, working my way around town to try out the different options. I also enjoy going out in nature and enjoying what this planet has to offer, weather and time permitting.

Board Spotlight

Chris Beal

I am a Paducah Tilghman graduate and moved back to Paducah after graduating from Transylvania University in 2012. I am a Senior Credit Analyst at Paducah Bank and the pianist for Concord United Methodist Church. I am grateful for my strong relationship with my family: my parents, Joe & Evie Beal, and my sister, Bethany.

I was introduced to Market House Theatre in 2013 when my friend, Kathy McHaney, invited me to join the Play Selection Committee. The committee meets regularly to read scripts and provide feedback to assist Michael in curating each season. Through that experience, I was introduced to a community of passionate MHT supporters who volunteered their time

"

"If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the Theatre for a show, please come visit us.

I’ll save you a seat." in countless ways to support the theatre. Since then, I have played piano in four Market House productions: Win Lose or Die, Murder, Country Style, Santaland Diaries, and Motherhood Out Loud. In 2017, I joined the Board of Directors where I have served one year as Secretary before becoming Vice President earlier this year.

As a member of the Finance Committee, I was proud to help Market House Theatre secure PPP and SVOG funding to support operations during the pandemic. COVID-19 has presented challenges, but I am incredibly proud of Michael and the staff for their resiliency, their willingness to adapt, and their ability to continue moving forward.

Market House Theatre provides us with entertainment, but they understand that theatre is an avenue to educate, uplift, and inspire. If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the Theatre for a show, please come visit us. I’ll save you a seat.

Winnie-the-Pooh is Christopher Robin's chubby little "bear of very little brain" who drifts peacefully through life, humming tunes and stopping frequently to eat "a little something."

However, today Pooh finds himself involved in all sorts of frantic adventures, assisted by such friends as the dismal Eeyore, Piglet and Rabbit! When Piglet gets roped into newcomer Kanga's household and Kanga starts bathing him with (gasp!) soap, Pooh and friends attempt to fly to the rescue! A.A. Milne's wit and gentle understanding of young people make this one of the most beloved stories around.

The cast brings together MHT veterans and newcomers of all ages! Playing Winnie the Pooh is Carson Chesnut (Charlotte's Web), Piglet is MHT newcomer Anya Swenson, and Christopher Robin is Jude Williams (Charlotte's Web).

Dagny Page (Charlotte's Web) is Rabbit, Nathan Franklin (Miss Nelson is Missing) is Owl, and Bryan Pont (Stuart Little) is Eeyore. Playing the kangaroo duo is Jalin Burnette (Charlotte's Web) as Kanga and Clark Turner (Stuart Little) as Roo. Rabbit's friends and relatives include Saidee Carvell (James and the Giant Peach), Nate Blossom (Charlotte's Web), Abbie Dawson (Charlotte's Web), Elijah Turney (Ramona Quimby), and Jackson Vose, (Charlotte's Web).

by Kristen Sergel based on the books by A.A. Milne

Winnie the Pooh is co-directed by April Cochran and Emily Griffin, with costume design by Angela Hoerner, set/lighting design by Tom Hansen, and set construction

by Jerome Veit.

October 14, 15, 16, 17

Jude Williams

Carson Chesnut Winnie the Pooh

Christopher Robin

Anya Swenson Piglet

Thurs. & Fri., 7 PM Sat. & Sun., 2:30 PM Adults: $14 Children: $8

Dagny Page Nathan Franklin Bryan Pont Rabbit

Elijah Turney Saidee Carvell Ensemble

Ensemble

Owl

Nate Blossom Ensemble

MHT Box Office: 270.444.6828 | 132 Market House Sq., | M - F, 10 AM - 5 PM

MarketHouseTheatre.org

Jalin Burnette Clark Turner

Eeyore

Kanga

Abbie Dawson Ensemble

Jackson Vose Ensemble

Buy Tickets!

Roo

A Family That Plays Together...

An interview with Travis & Emi Hensel

Q: How long have you been participating in PlayTime?

Emi: I have been doing PlayTime since 2018.

Travis: I have been doing PlayTime for about six years and have done about 10 different stories!

Q: What is it like to perform together as a married couple?

Emi: Travis and I grew close together while we were dating many years ago doing MHT's Story Theatre in schools, so it is really cool to get to relive performing together for kids now that we are married.

Travis: Being married to my fellow PlayTime mate has been great...and very handy! We are able to rehearse together in the evenings and it is nice to be able to do something together at the theatre.

Q: What's your favorite PlayTime show you've done so far and why?

Emi: Rapunzel has been my favorite show because I have fun tossing things to the prince from the tower.

Travis: One of my favorite PlayTime stories has been The Emperor's New Clothes. While I love the story, I think what makes it my favorite is when I get to be the Emperor and come out in my "underwear"!

Q: Could you perform PlayTime in your sleep since you've been doing it so long? What makes it fun and exciting each time?

Emi: The audience keeps us on our toes...you just never know what’s going to come out of a young audience member’s mouth!

Travis: At this point, you would think it would take no thought to do our stories, but doing an audience participation show for a live audience of young kids means every show will be a little different. You never know how the audience will answer your questions or what suggestions they will shout out.

Q: How do you like the new outdoor format?

Emi: I love doing PlayTime outside because I love the atmosphere of the new outdoor Courtyard space!

Travis: I have really enjoyed moving PlayTime outside. I love the new space and it allows for more audience and more space for them to move around!

Q: How do you see PlayTime impact our other programming at MHT? Emi: I definitely see PlayTime audience members in DanceMHT classes and there’s already a trust built between me and young students that know me through PlayTime.

Travis: PlayTime is a great doorway to many of our other programs at the theatre. I see many PlayTime audience members at every show and many of them show up in Footlights, DanceMHT classes, and summer camps. It is not unusual for me to be stopped at a grocery store because someone recognizes me as the wolf!

Q: Tell us about you guys!

Emi: I am the Dance Program Director for DanceMHT. I’ve been involved with the theatre since I was 16 and began introducing dance classes at the theatre in 2015. I currently teach 17 of our 22 dance classes as well as provide choreography for many of our Theatre in Schools and Signature Series shows. I homeschool our four kids who are also involved in the theatre programming.

Travis: I have been the Facilities Manager at MHT for almost seven years. I grew up doing shows at the theatre my whole childhood. My earliest memories are when I was three years old tagging along with my dad at a rehearsal. Now my kids get to follow along with me at my rehearsals and attend their own rehearsals. I am very proud to see my kids performing in their own shows and look forward to many more years of them performing here at the theatre.

"We love the chance to get to perform for young audiences at PlayTime - they are always as excited to see you and you are to see them! It's a fantastic program and we look forward to seeing everyone at the next PlayTime!" - Travis & Emi Hensel

From the desk of the Education Director

Emily Griffin

After a very fun and busy summer here at the Market House, we are getting into the routine of fall! I started my school year working with 3rd grade students at Lone Oak Elementary exploring the Kentucky Arts Curriculum through theatre games. It’s been a blast and something we look forward to doing with other area schools throughout the year. We have also started working with GTC programs at the local elementary schools on their shows. Throughout the city, we have over 70 students who were accepted into these enrichment programs!

Working with the schools is such a fun and rewarding part of what the Market House Theatre Education department gets to do.

We are also trying some new programming here on campus this fall. Our Saturday Footlights classes look a little different this year as we have a wide variety of options to choose from. Many students are a part of putting together our December musical, Seussical Kids, while other students are a part of our 6-week course options. If you missed the first session of courses, it’s not too late to join us for a second round starting October 16. We have options for all ages!

And the exciting news doesn’t stop there! For our teens HA! is coming back! HA! is our teen improv group and we are hosting auditions on Thursday, September 30th at 5pm in the MHT Courtyard. If you are interested in auditioning or have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at egriffin@mhtplay.org.

We plan to continue offering fun and engaging programming throughout the year that helps our young community members grow as performers and as people.

Be on the lookout for more opportunities!

Footlights registration is available online or over the phone. Financial Scholarships are Available! Contact the Box Office for more information. MHT Box Office: 270.444.6828, M - F 10 AM - 5 PM.

Up c o m i n g Au d i t i o n s !

Footlights Fall Session 2: Saturdays, Oct. 16 - Nov. 20 8 AM: Grades 1 - 3: Stories on Stage: Giraffes Can’t Dance Continue to develop as an actor and ensemble member in this collaborative performance class. We will dance, play, and put together a fun presentation of the story Giraffes Can’t Dance with a strong emphasis on working as an ensemble. This is another great experience for beginning actors.

9 AM: Grades 4 - 5: Stage Ready What does it take to be in a play? How do I make an impression in auditions? What are the habits of a good actor? This class aims to teach performers the skills and habits of effective performers through theatre games, mock auditions, and working with scripts.

10 AM: Grades 6 - 8: Scene Stealers Performers in this class will practice working with text by diving into and preparing a performance ready scene. We will engage in theatre games that help us develop characters and dig into our stories.

11 AM: Grades 9 - 12: Devising Theatre: Exercises for Creative Performance Each week participants will experience a new exercise for devising theatre. Borrowing techniques from groups such as Frantic Assembly, Complicite and more, we aim to experiment with movement, storytelling, and to bust out of our comfort zones.

Register Here!

HA! Teen Comedy Improv Troupe - Sept. 30 Unpacking Mother- Nov. 1 & 2 You're My Man - Nov. 15 & 16

Learn More

Thank you to our 2021 - 2022 Season & Education Sponsors!

GOLD

PLATINUM

BRONZE

SILVER

AAA Stow-A-Way Storage, LLC • Atlas Door of Paducah • Atmos Energy • Barbara & Jimmy Allen • Eyewear Express • Henneberger AAA Stow-A-Way Storage, LLC • Atlas Door of & Flynn Paducah Insurance Agency, Inc. • Mercy Health Lourdes Hospital • Peel • Barbara & Jimmy Allen • Atmos Energy • & Holland Insurance • STEWART GIRL MINISTRIES/Rev. Dr. Bernice Eyewear Express • Henneberger & Flynn Insurance (Stewart) Belt • Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub • Williams & Roof Agency, Inc. • Peel & Holland Insurance • Rotary Club Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors

of Paducah • Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub

IMAGINATION

INSPIRATION

CREATIVITY Drs. Rheanel & Blair Tolar

grants The Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency, provides operational support funding for Market House Theatre with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts

After a few days of violent rioting, a newly made detective and a conflict consultant are given a mandate by the police chief and the mayor to conduct a private meeting with three black and three white residents to try to assess the social breakdown, promote communication between the groups, and most importantly to draw up a proposal of how to end the riot. This story is about community, racism, disenfranchisement, cooperation, honesty, patience, and perseverance. Based on true events.

The idea for writing the story of Riot: Asbury Park came to Kentucky writer Amanda Haan after she read a Look Magazine article from 1971 in an antique store. Originally from New Jersey, Amanda set about interviewing as many people as she could who were involved in the meetings that took place connected to the July 1970 riots that happened in Asbury Park. She began work in 2008 and then had some readings of the script. She had hoped for a film version of the script, but timing didn’t work out for that. In the play, a black male police detective and a white female facilitator are given the task of bringing together a group of three black residents and three white residents to come up with a set of principles that the community could agree on during the rioting in Asbury Park, N.J. Director Michael Cochran says, “What Amanda has written is as relevant today as it was when the actual event happened. It is a dialogue of people trying to understand each other and break through the anger and resentment that is tearing their community apart. The Asbury Park riots were centered on many of the issues that still resonate with the Black Lives Matter movement and demonstrations last year. In addition, the need to build trust and find common ground can be seen in many areas of our society today that aren’t just related to race. I’m sure that when audiences walk out of the theatre after the show, they will be talking about the unconscious ways we stereotype people who don’t think like us and how the real-life people portrayed by the characters in the play managed to break through some of those barriers.

How would you stop a riot ?

The cast includes MHT veterans Jalen Harris, Trenisha Jones, Robert Carter, Kacey Darling, Sally Carter, Reid Draper and newcomer Dante Murray! Directed by Michael Cochran, set/lighting design by Tom Hansen, costume design by Angela Hoerner. Set construction by Jerome Veit, Stage Manager is Caleb Buford.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, September 30th. Adults: $22, Students: $10

Market House Theatre is grateful for the businesses and foundations that support our work to fulfill our mission. These folks cover a respectable chunk of our programming costs which defrays your costs for tickets and class fees. We know you hear their names and see their logos, but we love to introduce you to our sponsors who do, indeed, have important roles at MHT.

Sponsor

Spotlight

Shepherded by President Chris Black and Vice President David Black, Ray Black & Son has been involved in every facet of MHT – from on-stage, backstage, and even up to the ceiling!

Supporting MHT is Easy with Amazon Smile!

One thing that the pandemic has taught us is that we can one-click order just about anything and have it delivered straight to our front door. But wouldn’t it be just magical if you could do that AND support Market House Theatre?! Well, you can, and it won’t cost you an extra cent. The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate .5% of the purchase price of eligible items to the non-profit of your choosing – like Market House Theatre! It really could not be easier.

If you already have an Amazon account, here are four easy steps to turning your purchases into cash for Market House Theatre.

This family-owned construction company, specializing in, among other areas, historic preservation, has walked alongside us for every step of the Next Stage Project. But this relationship isn’t strictly business. Many members of the Black family have been a part of the MHT family for years as students, performers, audience members, and volunteers.

1. Log on to Smile.Amazon.com 2. Log in to your Amazon account.

3. Choose your charity!

Chris Black says that MHT adds to the quality of life in our community. “Market House Theatre makes Paducah better. Theatre encourages creativity that makes our community shine. The creative foundation built by Market House Theatre helps shape our city’s future,” says Black.

If you have any trouble, click here and get a step-bystep guide, including shortcuts if you’re using your mobile phone.

(Search for “Market House Theatre of Paducah KY Inc.”)

4. Let the holiday shopping begin! Just bookmark the smile.amazon.com page and use that as your portal to Amazon. The AmazonSmile Foundation will do the rest.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: We don’t want you to take your business away from local retailers. You can still shop locally and support MHT by visiting markethousetheatre.org.

ENGLISH

Education Sponsor Spotlight

One of our most recent sponsors, Swift & Staley, joined the MHT sponsor cast late in the 56th Season in support of the Education Program. Swift & Staley is an employee-owned contracting company headquartered right here in Paducah, offering specialized services like facility support, safeguards and security services, admin support, and records management.

The following is a quick reference guide to colors, fonts, and logos.

Colors

Gotham We support the Gotham is used for all Edward It is primarily used for b Market Housepieces.

Theatre.

PMS 116C

So, what does all that have to do with performing arts education for youth? Everything, because Swift & Staley values education and the community. Amanda Scott, Project Support & Deliverables Manager, says that “Swift & Staley Inc. prides itself on giving back to the community through both monetary donations and employee volunteer opportunities. Sponsoring the Market House Theatre ensures our community has access to affordable entertainment as well as educational programs for our youth. Swift & Staley Inc. is excited to partner with the Market House Theatre to ensure these great opportunities continue to be offered to our community.”

PMS 5535C Paducah, KY

go below 9 pt. on 13 pt. Preffer

ITC Franklin Gothic

ITC Franklin Gothic is used for PMS 160C 4965 Village Square Dr 5446 Reidland Road

Heath Bowling, CFP® 1249 Broadway 270-444-6220

Benjamin C Brazzell, CFA Suite C 270-442-5636

Crissy N Bundren, AAMS®

used for270-898-4830 our HNW category.

Laura A Duff, AAMS®, CRPC® PMS 647C

AJ Collins 3520 Lone Oak Rd Suite A 270-554-6585

3235 Olivet Church Rd Suite H 270-442-3483

Judd Malone 4975 Alben Barkley Drive Ste 2 270-441-7686

Matthew P Moore 1249 Broadway 270-444-6220

Rick Robertson, AAMS® 88 Plantation Drive 270-554-4361

Bryan Shumate 4740 Hansen Rd 270-554-2083

Chris Sims, AAMS® 222 Kentucky Ave Suite 8 270-444-9867

Mike Sims 88 Plantation Drive 270-554-4361

Blake R Summarell, CFP® 4720 Village Square Dr Suite C 270-554-2082

Logos

Promotional logotype -

MKT-5894I-A-A1

We certainly couldn’t offer the array of opportunities without businesses like Ray Black & Son and Swift & Staley. If your business, large or small, is interested in investing in Market House Theatre, contact Ronda Gibson at 270.444.6828 and learn how you can be a part of MHT!

Fonts

Kurt Sutton Adam Whiteside 2801 Wayne Dr 131 Nahm St Used inSullivan our national 270-415-9239 brand campaignSuite and1 270-558-4968

marketing materials. edwardjones.com The preferred treatment is black logo and tagline on a rectangle of PMS 116.

Member SIPC

270.444.6828 // markethousetheatre.org // 132 Market House Square // info@mhtplay.org Box Office Hours: M - F, 10 AM - 5 PM