Offstage Noises | November 2022

Winter 2022 Offstagenoises

Upcoming Events

December 2, 2022

Winter Performance in Studio 200

HA! Teen Comedy Improv Troupe

December 8-18, 2022

Signature Series

A Christmas Carol

January 12-14, 2023

Playtime presents The Mitten

January 27, 2023

Winter Performance in Main Theatre

HA! Teen Comedy Improv Troupe

February 2-12, 2023

Studio Series River City

February 17-25, 2023

Murder Mystery Dinner

Bumped Off On Bourbon Street

Over 150 years ago, Charles Dickens released a Christmas novel that would intrigue and capture audiences for decades. Filled with character and life, his original story showed us all the power of compassion, joy, and maybe how just a little bit of love can brighten others' days. Now, what happens when we take this classic story and ask 5 actors to perform as all the characters, including some of the scenery? Let's say it's a thrilling adaptation that will keep you intrigued from the beginning!

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens has been adapted by Patrick Barlow, writer of the Broadway and West End hit The 39 Steps (perfomed at Market House Theatre in 2011). Barlow's new adaptation uses some simple props, fresh physicality, and the power of imagination to convey this timeless story of redemption that both kids and adults will enjoy.

The production features Chuck Wilkins as Ebenezer Scrooge and Grace Craft, Anna Tamaoka, Neil Thompson, and Clint Warf as the ensemble. The production is directed by Michael Cochran, with set & lighting design by Tom Hansen, costume design by Charlotte Campbell, and stage management by Alexandra Brue.

Performances are December 8-10 and 15-17 at 7 PM and December 11 & 18 at 2:30 PM. Tickets are $26 for adults and $14 for students. Tickets are available online or by calling the MHT Box Office at (270) 444-6828, MondayFriday, 10 AM - 5 PM. Performance times and ticket information is also available at MarketHouseTheatre.org.

We appreciate the support of our Season 59 Platinum and Gold sponsors.

Market House Theatre's little library is located in front of Lepa Jewelry on Market House Square.

THE LITTLE LIBRARY

A TINY THEATRE FILLED WITH FREE CREATIVITY

On Market House Square, right down the road from the MHT Box Office, sits a small model of the Market House Theatre. It's quite peculiar; settled in an old raised garden bed in front of what is now Lepa Jewelry, it appears to just be decorative. Upon further inspection, you will realize this little theatre is filled with a lot of imagination. The little library was built by Jason McHaney at the end of 2019 and offers children's books and novels that are free to take. This mini-model library allows our community free access 24/7 to educational and creative works to make reading readily accessible to everyone. According to Reading is Fundamental, the nation's largest children's literacy non-profit, 25 million children in the U.S are not reading at a proficient level. Free access to book ownership through programs like the little free library can improve reading performance, encourage children to read for longer periods, and improves attitudes toward reading.

We need your help to keep our free little library open! If you have any used children's books or novels that you would like to donate, consider dropping them off at MHT! We'll add them to our free little library for our community to enjoy. We would like to thank the McCracken County Early Childhood Council & April Cochran for continuing to keep the little library stocked.

Tuesday, November 29th, may not pack as much punch as Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it’s a meaningful date for Market House Theatre – it’s Giving Tuesday! Giving Tuesday is a national day of giving – whether it’s money or time – to causes and organizations that are important to us. This year, Market House Theatre is using Giving Tuesday to raise money for something important to the theatre and to the children we serve –need-based scholarships.

Within the past four months, Market House Theatre has awarded more than $2,500 in youth scholarships. These scholarships help parents, grandparents, and other guardians pay for their children’s participation in Market House Theatre activities on campus, including summer camps, DanceMHT, and Footlights. Keeping Market House Theatre accessible for all participants and audiences is part of our mission of providing

opportunities for children and adults to develop their creative abilities through the performing arts. We offer student scholarships, pay-what-what-you-wish ticketing, special preview nights for performances, student ticket pricing, and free events such as the Kids Creative Arts Street Fair and Shakespeare in the Courtyard.

We ask you to help us on Giving Tuesday by raising an additional $1,500 for student scholarships.

Open Auditions

River City is the story of a young woman named Mary from a mixed race family. Mary who is newly pregnant sets out on an adventure to discover her father Edward’s history and to define her own racial identity in the world.

The story leaps back and forth in time between Civil Rights-era Louisville and today. The play then transports us to 1968. A 14-year-old Edward is the only black child at St. Benedict Orphanage. His guardian, Sister Alice, sets him up with a job at Deeley Radio Repair, a shop in Louisville's predominantly black West End. Edward's employer, Whitney Deeley, an activist and reluctant businessman, enlists Edward to help organize a rally against police brutality. But when the rally turns into a violent uprising, Edward’s family secret comes to light. Back in the present, Mary and her husband, Javier, are at odds over her absence. Mary has extended her trip to Louisville hoping to find a clue into her father's past. Act Two begins in 1974, six years after the Louisville riots. White businesses have fled the West End, leaving abandoned buildings and falling property values in their wake. Edward wants to move the radio shop to the prosperous East End, but Whitney refuses. They argue fiercely, and Edward storms out—for good. Back in the present, Mary searches for Whitney to find out more information about her father. Finally, she finds him working in the same location he used to—only now the radio shop has been leveled and replaced by a Family Dollar store. Mary speaks to her grandfather for the first time.

Characters

Mary black/mixed race female 20’s-30’s; Javier (Mary’s husband) Latino male 20’s-30’s; Edward black male plays ages 14-20; Sister Alice older nun and Mary’s mother white female age50-60’s; Father Schroeder/Rodger white male age 20-30’s; Whitney black male aged plays ages 29, 35, then old man.

Are you ready to be on stage this winter?

Contact the Box Office at 132 Market House Sq. or (270) 444-6828 to check out a perusal script and sign up for an audtion day. You can also sign up for an audition day at MarketHouseTheatre.org/auditions-casting

Additional Open Auditions

Disney's The Little Mermaid JR. | January 2 & 3, 2023 Girls' Weekend | January 9 & 10, 2023 Bumped Off On Bourbon Street | January 9 & 10, 2023 Meredith Willson's The Music Man | February 27 & 28, 2023

Drs. Rheanel

Footlights is MHT’s theatre education program for pre-school through high school! Students learn the fundamentals of theatre while playing fun games, working on productions, and building crucial life skills. All classes meet on Saturday mornings.

StoriesUndertheBigTop

by Lorraine Thompson

Performance Workshop | Grades 1-3

January 7 - March 25 | 8am-9:25am

Come one! Come all! Step right up! Watch the greatest stories on Earth come alive under the big top! It’s a circus full of laughter and lively storytelling as the ringmaster and players perform a variety of wellknown tales such as “The Bremen Town Musicians,” “The Billy Goats Gruff,” “The Lion and the Mouse,” “Monkey See, Monkey Do” and “The Magic Fish.”

Performances: March 25 & 26 @ 1:30pm | $75

Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service Inc., Englewood, CO.

Ichabod!

by Lorraine Thompson Performance Workshop | Grades 4-6

January 7 - March 25 | 9:30am-10:55am

Here is a highly theatrical adaptation of the classic legend of Sleepy Hollow. All the eerie spookiness remains in Washington Irving’s famous story of the haunted town in upstate New York. Trimmed of much of the chattiness of longer adaptations, this one-act version still retains all the essential story elements and characters, including Katrina, Brom Bones, and several school children and townspeople.

Performances: March 25 & 26 @ 3pm | $75

Produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service Inc., Englewood, CO.

Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time

Adapted for the Stage by Morgan Gould

Performance Workshop | Grades 7-12

January 7 - March 25 |11am-11:55am

One of literature’s most enduring young heroines, Meg Murry, is back -braces, stubbornness and all. Once again, she’s joining forces with Mrs. Whatsit, Charles Wallace, Calvin O’Keefe, and more to battle the forces of evil so she can rescue her father, save humanity, and find herself. In the end, we know two things for sure: 1. Love can overcome evil and 2. There is such a thing as a tesseract.

Performances: March 25 & 26 @ 4:30pm | $60

A Wrinke in Time is produced by special arranfement with Crosswicks Ltd and Stage Partners (www.yourstagepartners.com)

Stories & Play: World Travelers

Footlights Workshop | Ages 4-6 April 15 - May 13 | 10am-10:45am

Travel the world through stories and games. Each week we will learn a little bit about places from around the world, get a stamp in our passport, and act out a fabulous folktale from wherever we go.

$50

Acting Up Storytime!

Footlights Workshop | Grades 1-3

April 15 - May 13 | 8am-8:55am

Continue to gain acting experience as each week we explore a different story, and a different element of theatre. Choose a costume piece to suit your character! Add sound effects to bring the story to life. Work together to add scenic elements as we build a new world. Then we will act out our story using the technical element.

$50

Intro to Improv

Footlights Workshop | Grades 4-6

April 15 - May 13 | 10am-10:45am

Welcome to the world of making it up on the spot! Join us for weekly games that develop our skills in thinking fast and listening well as we use our bodies, voices, and imaginations to create scenes never seen before!

$50

IMPROV: Games & Skills

Footlights Workshop | Grades 7-12

April 15 - May 13 | 11am-11:45am

Join us for a fun time as we play some fan favorite improv games and challenge ourselves with new structures. Continue to grow performance and collaboration skills while getting coaching and personal feedback on your scenes.

$50

GIVE THE GIFT OF CREATIVITY.

Have you ever wanted to learn ballet, perform in a show, or simply learn the process of getting a performance from page to stage? Our education programs return this winter with our premier Footlights theatre education progam and DanceMHT. Your young artist will develop new artistic abilities while making new friends and having fun!

This semester features new classes never offered before and added sessions of our most popular classes. Make sure to register today to get a spot for your class choices!

DanceMHT is MHT’s premier dance education program. Offering classes for young children to adults, dance is for every age, ability, and skill set. Dance is for everyone Classes meet January 9-May 13.

Baby & Me

New Session!

Wednesdays @ 5:15-5:45pm OR Fridays @10-10:30am Ages 18 months - 2 years

This fun and upbeat class is a gentle introduction to the classroom for your little ones! Through musical games, stretches, and beginning ballet, your child will experience a safe and loving environment to begin their dance education!

$120

Pre-K Tap & Ballet

Ages 3-4 & Ages 4-6

New Sessions!

The perfect introduction into the world of dance for little ones! In this class, young artists will learn the basics of ballet and tap dance. Ages 3-4 Fridays 10:30-11:15am OR Saturdays 10-10:45am Ages 4-6 Mondays @ 4pm-4:45pm OR Tuesdays 5:15-6pm

$140

Creative Movement

Fridays @ 4-4:45pm | Ages 4-6

Tip toe like a mouse, float like a butterfly, and swing like a monkey! This class is about letting out your wild side and learning to move with the music. Boys and girls are going to love it!

$140

1st & 2nd Grade

Meets Mondays

These beginner level courses begin to build the foundations of dance. Using classical ballet technique and high-energy movement for tap, jazz, and hip-hop, your young artist will build basic skills applicable for years to come.

Ballet @ 4:15-5pm $140

Tap & Jazz @ 5-6pm $160 Hip-Hop @ 6-6:45pm $140

Level I

Grades 3-4 | Meets Thurdays

Ballet @ 4pm-5pm $160 Tap & Jazz @ 5pm-6pm $160 Hip-Hop @ 6pm-6:45pm $140

Level III

Grades 6-12 | Meets Mondays

Ballet @ 5pm-6pm $160 Jazz @ 6pm-7pm $160 Tap @ 7pm-7:45pm $140

Additional Courses

Pointe

Artists will learn proper technique to dance en pointe and build strength and stability with rigorous barre exercises. All artists must have instructor approval. Beginner (Grades 6-12) Fridays @ 4-5pm Advanced (Grades 9-12) Saturdays @ 9-10am

$160

Adult Courses

Level II Grades 5-8 | Meets Thurdays

Ballet @ 4pm-5pm $160 Tap & Jazz @ 5pm-6:30pm $180 Hip-Hop @ 6:30pm-7:30pm $140

Level IV

Grades 9-12 | Meets Tuesdays

Ballet @ 4pm-5pm $160 Jazz @ 5pm-6pm $160 Tap @ 6pm-7pm $160

Contemporary (Grades 6-12)

Unleash your inner artist and learn the dance style that has taken the globe by storm. Contemporary is a mixture between ballet and modern technique and is a beautiful melting pot of a style. All artists must have instructor approval. Fridays @ 5-6pm

$160

Body Positive: Stretch & Strengthen

This mat-based movement class is perfect for anyone who needs a safe and gentle space to move their bodies. Using a combination of yoga, Pilates, dance stretch, and conditioning, this class is a positive environment for each student to move their bodies at whatever level works for them.

$30/6-week session

Sessions: Jan. 11-Feb. 15, Feb 22-Mar 29, Apr 13-May 17

Adult Dance Technique & Choreography

Dancing isn’t just for the kids! This fun and invigorating class is for any adult (age 18+) who has a love of dance! This hour long class will start with a warm-up, and develop technique through across the floor progressions before working on choreography combinations. No experience required!

$45/6-week session

Sessions: Jan. 11-Feb. 15, Feb 22-Mar 29, Apr 13-May 17

Don’t ever let cost keep you away! Scholarships are available! Visit MarketHouseTheatre.org/footlights to view the form.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, provides operating support to Market House Theatre with state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and American Rescue Plan Funds

Playtime's The Mitten is back in person this winter! Play along with the Clubhouse actors as they act out this beloved Ukrainian folk tale of a little boy who lost his mitten in the snow and how that mitten becomes a cozy refuge for a host of animals. Performed in the new Studio 200 Theatre. January 12-14, 2023 | Free Performances! Reserve your free seats starting December 15!

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This holiday season, give the special people in your life the gift of the performing arts with a Market House Theatre Gift Card! MHT gift cards can be used for performance tickets, classes, workshops, and summer camps. Your gift card will allow those who recieve it to have a unique experience in the coming year.

How to Purchase your Gift Cards

- Visit or the MHT Box Office at 132 Market House Sq. Paducah, KY

- Contact MHT at (270) 444-6828 or info@mhtplay.org

- Order an E-Gift Card online at bit.ly/mhtgift

Give your guests the most comfortable experience this holiday season at Market House Theatre. MHT hosts four apartment rentals that are available year-round at affordable rates. Each apartment features a fantastic view of Paducah's historic downtown or riverfront, a fully furnished kitchen, and free wifi. Reserve your apartment today at MarketHouseTheatre.org/apartments

We appreciate the support of our Season 59 Silver sponsors. We appreciate the support of our Season 59 Bronze sponsors.

AAA Stow-A-Way Storage, LLC • Atlas Door of Paducah • Atmos Energy • Allen Auto Sales • Eyewear Express • Henneberger & Flynn Insurance Agency, Inc. • Kathleen & Nick Gillespie of Arnold Realty Group Mercy Health Lourdes Hospital • Peel & Holland Insurance • Stewart Girl Ministries/ Rev. Dr. Bernice (Stewart) Belt • Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub • Williams & Roof Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors