A letter from our Producer, to her friends, family, and other community members.

Written by President & Producer Kate Eovino, originally posted to her friends on Facebook:

Okay. So. By now you've all heard at least a little about the show I'm working on - "Matawan Legends." It's a variety/talent show featuring all alumni from my high school's theater program; people who span 40 class years, the entire continent, and practically every industry there is. I have been trying to start the alumni association for years; it is a dream come true for this to be happening. I have worked my ass off for the last 9 months to make this show happen. I have literally bled for this show, not slept for days at a time, contacted hundreds of alumni & community members... This show means the absolute world to me and you should come see it.

But don't come just because of me. Or because of all the other absolutely incredibly amazing people that are involved. Come because all of the proceeds from the show go to the program that made me who I am today, the program that I jumped at the chance to work for when they came to me in need, the program that has helped thousands of kids not only get and stay out of trouble but flourish and go on to do amazing things, none of which would have happened without it.

Think about your high school experience. Think about that one club, that one class, that one teacher, whatever it was that changed your life in profound ways that you are still only just beginning to understand. That's what this is for me. No matter where I am in my life, whatever situations I end up in, I always find myself thinking back to my time in this theater and the lessons I learned there. And now its my chance to give back. Please help me.

8pm June 27th (*this* Saturday) at Matawan High School. Spread the word. Tell your friends - even if you can't make it, maybe you know someone that can! If you're in it - make sure you've invited everyone you can!

These kids need our help - our physical presence - to show the district and the community once and for all that the arts, and this program in particular, are not something that we will just let die through slow excruciating budget cuts and community apathy.

Plus its going to be a f*cking awesome show.

I truly hope to see you on Saturday. Thanks for listening.

::gets off soapbox::

Check us out:

http://legends.matawantheateralumni.org

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110066828661

Tickets Now On Sale for "Matawan Legends!"

The Matawan Theater Alumni Association is proud to present the first annual alumni variety show "Matawan Legends!"

Featuring a cast, crew, pit, and staff comprised of alumni from the past 35+ years of Matawan Theater!

Including Numbers from:"A Chorus Line," "Chicago," "Les Miserables," "West Side Story," and "Pippin."

To be presented at 8pm on June 27th 2009,
at the Anne Hannah Auditorium of Matawan Regional High School.

Tickets are now on sale!

Ticketing information:

* Tickets are $15.00 each. MTAA members (Members of the Mailing List, not just the Facebook group) can purchase up to two (2) tickets at $12.00 each. The total number of tickets you can purchase is unlimited. But after the first 2 at the discount, all others will be $15.00 each. Visit signup.matawantheateralumni.org to sign up.

* Payment can be made by check (mailed to "Matawan Theater Alumni Association" at 70 Broad Street, Matawan NJ 07747) or credit card (we will invoice you via Paypal within 48 hrs). Please be aware that due to charges imposed by Paypal, all credit card orders will also include a $2.00 convenience fee.

* Seating will be assigned by the Box Office Staff on a first-paid, first-served basis.For the ticket order form and additional details, follow this link: http://legends.matawantheateralumni.org/

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact our Box Office at Tickets@MatawanTheaterAlumni or our Business Manager Sue Kisenwether at Sue@MatawanTheaterAlumni.org

Remote Volunteering

Looking for a way to get involved, but not local?

Or maybe you're afraid that you can't offer enough time?

Our board has set up a way for you to help out, no matter where, no matter when!

We are in the process of scanning all the old programs that are currently in our archives. You can claim a page and help us out by finding email/postal addresses for the people on that page. Once you submit the information, we'll contact all the people on your list and invite them to join the Alumni Association. It couldn't be easier!

You can find the scanned programs at our new Facebook Fan Page - http://bit.ly/mtaapage - anyone can see them, you don't need to be a Facebook Member to look at these pictures.

Questions? Ready to get started? Email Info@MatawanTheaterAlumni.org

Call for Participants for the Alumni Show!

Hello Alumni!

The individual scenes have been chosen but there are still chances to perform in the first annual Matawan Legends Alumni Show! Here are the group numbers we are performing this June:

Opening number - Magic To Do (Pippin)

End of Act One - TBA

Opening of Act Two - Pitt Band Alumni Number (Contact Devon Crumlish via facebook  if you are a band alumni and are interested in playing for the show!)

Closing number - Seasons of Love (Rent)

Anyone can be in the group numbers! Rehearsal dates are June 15th-18th from 6-8 p.m. Dress Rehearsal will be June 26th from 6-8 p.m. and the show will be the following night, June 27th 8 p.m. All cast/crew/band members are to arrive at 5 p.m. the night of the show. Please contact Christie Barbato by email (christie@matawantheateralumni.org) with your graduation year and which numbers you prefer to be in.

*If you cannot make all of the rehearsals, please let us know. We are willing to be flexible since we know how crazy everyone's schdules can be, but note you are responsible for learning anything you miss.*

This is a great chance to reconnect and perform on stage again, for some of us it's been years since we shared the stage together. Let's make some magic and have a good time.

We look forward to hearing from you all!

Love,
Christie & The "Matawan Legends" Committee

"Back to the 80's"

We posted a couple clips from the high school's production of "Back to the 80's" on our YouTube page - http://youtube.com/user/matawantheateralumni

Huge thanks to everyone that came out and supported the show and MTAA!!!

MTAA Presents "Matawan Legends"

Hello MTAA Members!


Hope you are all enjoying this lovely almost spring weather! We've put together the initial line up for the show and group rehearsal dates have been set! We need chorus members, crew, dancers, and other staff members! If you you are interested in being involved with the show in any way please email us at Legends@matawantheateralumni.org ASAP. Let us know what you are interested in getting involved with - no matter what, we have a spot for you! Below are a few scenes in the show and the set mandatory group rehearsal dates:

REHEARSAL DATES:

June 15th-18th 6-8 p.m. (Individual practices and running group numbers)
June 26th (DRESS REHEARSAL) 12-3 pm (Tech rehearsal and step-up) 6-8 p.m. (Show run through!)
June 27th- SHOWTIME! Cast/Crew call is at 5:30 p.m. We will be striking the stage immediately after the performance. ALL MUST ATTEND.


SOME SCENES AND GROUP NUMBERS:

Magic To Do - Opens Show (GROUP NUMBER! EVERYONE CAN BE IN IT!)
Thriller - End of Act 1 (GROUP NUMBER! EVERYONE CAN BE IN IT!)
Footloose - Closes Show (GROUP NUMBER! YOU BETTER ALL BE IN IT!)
They Both Reached for the Gun from Chicago (Directed by Jay Winston) - Opens Act 2 (CHORUS MEMBERS NEEDED!!)
Andy Blinn performing a Bon Jovi song
Mere Mortals by David Ives (Directed by Rick Lewandowski)
David Rahner performing a Comedy Routine and song



We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

The MTAA Board

"Matawan Legends" Announcement Coming Soon!!

Greetings MTAA-ers!

Big news is on the horizon. So close we can taste it...

The show committee has chosen several scenes to be included in the show. Directors are being contacted and once items are finalized, we will be making the official announcement.

Check back here later this week for the release!!

MTAA Feb 2009 Newsletter

Hello Theater Alums!!

We have some big announcements, so lets get right to it!

- Our website has been launched - http://matawantheateralumni.org. Huge thanks to Dorothy for the beautiful web work! Though its still under construction, it will soon be a place for all things MTAA, so check it out! We're also rolling out matawantheateralumni.org email addresses for the newsletters and staff members, so add us to your email's "Safe List"

- Our Alumni Show - "Matawan Legends" - is off and running! Anyone interested in getting involved in any way please get in touch with us! Anyone & Everyone is invited to get involved - no matter where you are, how much time you have to give, or where your interests may be, we can use your help. Actor, singer, musician, crew, marketing, sales, artists, staff,.... you name it, we can use it. Email us at info@matawantheateralumni.org.

- There will be a "Legends" Interest Meeting this Saturday (7-9pm at 16 Donna Place, Aberdeen) for anyone with questions, etc. Or, you can email us at info@matawantheateralumni.org or contact one of us personally. It is not mandatory for you to attend the meeting to get involved, but please do get in touch with us so we know to keep you in mind!

- For anyone looking to submit an act for "Matawan Legends" please note that the Preferred Consideration Deadline has been pushed back to Feb 15th, and the Line-up Announcement to Feb 23rd. This way, you can attend the Interest Meeting or email us more questions before submitting.

- In non-Legends news, we are getting started on our Matawan Theater Archive! We're looking for any and all Theater related materials, at the HS & MS levels. Programs, posters, videos, photos, we want it all! We will gladly take copies/scans/etc of any originals you don't want to give up. Even something as simple as helping us fill in our list of shows would be a huge help! Contact Archive@matawantheateralumni.org for more.

- We're want your opinions! What can we be doing to help you out? Is there anything else you'd like to see us doing as a group? Certain events or activities you'd enjoy? Let us know! We're only a few months old and still growing - we want to make sure we're serving you the best ways possible!



And, as always - Remember, word of mouth is our best advertising! Tell your friends to check out the website and sign up on the membership list.

Thank you all again for your interest in our group! You cannot fathom the depth of love we have for each of you ;-)
Love,
Kate & the MTAA Board

**********

[copy of email newsletter]

Variety Show 2009 - Plus Photos!!

Big Thanks to everyone that came out to support the Matawan HS Student/Faculty Variety Show last week.  It was a huge success for MTAA - much gratitude goes out from all of us!

Some photos up went up on Picasa - a lot are pretty fuzzy, but you get the idea ;-)

MTAA at Variety Show 2009

Love you all!

- MTAA Board

Get Involved with "Matawan Legends"

The Matawan Theater Alumni Association is looking for people to get involved with our alumni show - Matawan Legends!



There are lots of different ways to get involved:

- Submit an act: We're looking for acts to add to the show. Have an idea for one? Submit a proposal form! Forms can be downloaded at http://bit.ly/mtaaproposalform

- Perform in the show: Want to perform, but don't know what? Let us know that you're looking for an act to join and we'll match you up with one. Or, you can sign up to just be in group numbers.

- Prefer behind-the-scenes? We're signing up all kinds of crew members - stage, tech, art, costumes, design, building, whatever!

- Want to express some other fantastic talent? Maybe you're a Marketing Maven? A Web Wizard? A PR Popstar? Box Office Bomb Shell? Want to get involved in some other way - whatever it is, we'd love to get you involved.




How to get more info/sign up:

*Email us at info@matawantheateralumi.org or MatawanTheaterAlumni@gmail.com

*Visit http://matawantheateralumni.org

*Attend the next Interest Meeting on Feb 7th 2pm at the Barbato House - 16 Donna Place, Aberdeen NJ




And of course please remember to SPREAD THE WORD!!!!


Find a copy of this, as a Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=58278541809&ref=mf




Can't wait to work with you all!!
Love,
Your Friendly MTAA Board

Alumni Variety Show Coming June 27th!!!

Matawan Legends Scene Proposal Form

(Opens a PDF file)

First MTAA Party

We're throwing our first exclusively MTAA event!!

January 9, 2009

8pm

Barbato House - 16 Donna Place, Aberdeen NJ

$5 donation to get in

More details:

First MTAA Party (Facebook Event)

Some Important Sites

MTAA Membership Sign Up

MTAA Facebook Group