Matawan Theater Alumni Association Official Blog

Moved!

2011-09-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

We've moved! The blog has migrated to join the rest of the site at MatawanTheaterAlumni.org

Check it out there!

Legends Rehearsal Starts in ONE WEEK

2010-06-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

You read that correctly. Rehearsals for Matawan Legends 2010 start next week! Come one, come all. ALL Matawan Theater Alumni are invited to participate - even those that just became alumni on Monday. ;) You don't even have to be signed up for numbers yet - we'll take care of it.

Here's the schedule:

Tuesday, June 29, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Thursday, July 1, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday, July 7, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday, July 9, 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Dress Rehearsal)

Saturday, July 10, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Final stage time & show at 8:00 PM)

*All at MRHS Anne Hannah Auditorium

PLEASE come out and join us. Truly, everyone is welcome. Legends was a blast last year, and we want to make it even more awesome this year.

If you have any questions, email us at legends@matawantheateralumni.org. Otherwise, we'll see you on Tuesday!

The Performing Arts Picnic Returns

2010-06-13T23:59:00.000-07:00

Celebrate another great year for Matawan Performing Arts
* Dance * Theater * Chorus * Band *

Food & Fun all afternoon!

Games & activities, with prizes including tickets to Legends!
Arts & crafts for kids - bring the family!

Suggested Donation $5, Or contact us about bringing something.

Alums, Teachers, Families, & Other Adults - If you're willing to talk to students about jobs, internships, colleges, etc., please let us know!

Students, Recent Alums, & Other Curious People - We want to make this as useful as it is fun. If there's a college, theater, profession, major, anything at all, that you want to find out more about, let us know and we'll try to find an alum for you to talk to!

Here's Tony!

2010-06-10T13:47:00.001-07:00

The Tony Awards are this Sunday night!! (CBS 8pm) Are you excited?

You know, growing up in Central Jersey, we were pretty lucky. I mean, let's face it - we were in Broadway's back yard! I can remember at least one trip to The City every year of middle school and high school to see a show. For us, it was standard, even expected. The subways, the TKTS booth, rush tickets, lines, waiting at the stage door... all rather common place.

But there are people all over the country and the world that will never take a trip to New York City, let alone see a Broadway show. But that doesn't stop them from loving the theater.

The Tony Awards broadcast is the only nationally televised celebration of the theatre community.

Think about that for a second. Until I read that earlier this week, it had never crossed my mind. In some ways, it's amazing that we have a national broadcast that celebrates theatre. But in another way, it's sad that there aren't more. The Tonys bring Broadway into the homes and lives of people who would never experience it otherwise, here in the US and in over 45 countries around the world. They can picture themselves in a darkening theatre waiting for the curtain to rise, see the very best that Broadway has to offer, and share the rush of the performance without ever leaving home.

So, celebrate this Sunday night. Celebrate the winners, the nominees, and the theatre community.

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T10:04:00.000-07:00

On a day that fills our social consciousness with sales and BBQs, we'd like to remind you to take a moment for remembrance of our fallen heroes, both from the Matawan Theater community and all over the country. They gave their lives for our country and our freedom.

A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.
— Joseph Campbell

Thank you.

Team MTAA Wins at the AIDS Walk

2010-05-18T09:35:00.001-07:00

Top: Dan, Sam, Amy, Sue, Matt; Bottom: Emma, Mel, Steph, Stef, Kate

The AIDS Walk was a WIN. Team MTAA had 10 walkers who each completed the 10K walk this past Sunday. We're grateful for excellent weather, as well as for all of you who donated to our team. Donations are still trickling in, and to date, we have raised over $2,100 to help the battle against AIDS. Congratulations Team MTAA!!!

So far, AIDS Walk NY 2010 has raised over 5.7 MILLION dollars. Over 3000 teams registered (Team MTAA was in the top 10% in fundraising), and 45,000 walkers were present on Sunday.

Donations will be accepted through June 4th. To donate, please visit our team fundraising page.

To see the live tweets from the AIDS Walk, search #teamMTAA on twitter for updates, locations, musings, and photos. And there are some video blogs from the walk in the works.

Again, a huge "thank you" to everyone who supported us on the Walk, and an even huger "congratulations" to the Walk participants.

And stay tuned - a June MTAA event will be announced soon!

2010-11 School Budget Results

2010-04-21T12:33:00.001-07:00

The 2010-2011 School Budget in Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District was defeated by 544 votes.

Yes Votes = 1,645
No Votes = 2,189
Total Votes = 3,834

The following individuals have been elected to the Board of Education:
Aberdeen:
Patricia Demarest
Dr. John Delaney (Incumbent)

Matawan:
Anissa Esposito

This Week at MTAA

2010-04-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

So, we haven't used the blog in a while, but don't worry. The MTAA Board has been super-busy, and this next week is even busier and packed full of things you should be aware of. So, here's the run down for the next week (and then some).

Tuesday, April 20

School Board Elections in Matawan! Please remember to go out and vote. Whoever you vote for, please consider voting to pass the budget. Matawan is already struggling with budget cuts for the remainder of this school year. If the budget doesn't pass, there will be ever more cuts in the district, and the kids miss out. You can read over the proposed budget here on the MARSD website.

Thursday, April 22

Scene proposals are due for the second annual Matawan Legends! Remember, even if you don't want to propose a scene, you can sign up now to be a part of Legends 2010. For more, go here.

Friday, April 23

Scholarship applications are due for the MTAA Theater Service Award and the MTAA Memorial Music Award ($500 each!). That's right, one thousand dollars in scholarship money. For information and applications, check this link.

Monday, April 26

The next MARSD board meeting, scheduled to take place at One Crest Way at 8:00pm. This will be the first meeting after the School Board Elections. If you are able, please attend and help us to support arts in the schools. Remember, we know that cuts have to happen, and we're not asking that the arts be spared. Only that the cuts are spread evenly across all programs, so no one area is targeted. For more information on the meeting, visit MARSD.org.

Looking Ahead:

The MTAA is taking part in the 25th Annual New York AIDS Walk in memory of Anthony DiVizia and all other Huskies affected by AIDS. Please consider joining out AIDS Walk Team (you do not have to be able to attend the event!!) or donating to the team. So far, we've raised almost $800. The registration deadline is May 5th at noon, and the AIDS Walk itself is Sunday May 16th. For AIDS Walk information, check our AIDS Walk FAQ, or visit our fundraising team page to donate.

That's it for now, folks. Hopefully, weekly updates will become regular on the blog. For the most up to date information, make sure that you're on the MTAA mailing list, and be sure to join the new MTAA forums.

Until next time,

Sue

NEEDED: YOU!!!!

2010-02-22T11:42:00.000-08:00

The MTAA needs YOUR help to protect The Arts in Matawan

The Situation:
As you may or may not have heard, recent cuts in school funding by the state have left Matawan looking for ways to trim one million dollars from this year's budget. Though nothing is certain yet, the arts are in a position to be extremely hard hit as the district struggles to find a way to deal with this loss in aid. Already the theater and arts programs are feeling the squeeze and may not be able to cover their costs for the year.

What MTAA is doing:
MTAA is rushing to the aid of the arts program by trying to help fill gaps in the budget and acting as an advocate for all of the programs. We are working with several other groups in and out of the district to maximize our effectiveness. No art exists in a vacuum and we must work together to stay strong through this struggle. We have set up an emergency fund raising campaign on our website and have added a new section about becoming an arts advocate.

What YOU can do:
Check out the newest section of our website - Give Back - for information on our emergency fund raising campaign and to find out how to become an advocate for arts education. The pages of this new portion will be changing constantly over the next few days & weeks, so please - keep checking it for new information! There are already three things listed there that you can do right now to help the theater, and all the arts, in Matawan:
1. Donate - use our Paypal button, or play with our new sponsorship catalog to choose something to donate to the theater.
2. Come to the Board of Education meeting at 8pm Monday February 22 in the high school cafeteria and hear how they plan to deal with these cuts.
3. Participate in our letter writing campaign as we collect letters from throughout the community to show the support the arts have in Matawan.

There will be difficult times ahead as the schools deal with the loss in aid, and the additional projected cuts for next year. With your help we can make sure that the theater and the arts in Matawan are not forced to shoulder more than their fair share of this terrible burden.

If you have any questions at all about what is happening, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. We look forward to working with you to keep the arts alive in Matawan.

MTAA Vlog 2

2010-02-21T23:27:00.000-08:00

MTAA Vlog 1

2010-01-23T12:25:00.000-08:00

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

2009-06-26T06:10:00.001-07:00

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!"

2009-06-05T06:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-13T10:00:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-04-21T13:01:00.001-07:00

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"

2009-04-05T21:07:00.000-07:00

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"

2009-03-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-03-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

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

2009-02-04T22:20:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-01-28T12:55:00.001-08:00

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"

2009-01-25T12:43:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2009-01-14T19:54:00.000-08:00

Matawan Legends Scene Proposal Form

(Opens a PDF file)

First MTAA Party

2009-01-01T11:46:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-01T11:45:00.000-08:00

MTAA Membership Sign Up

MTAA Facebook Group