Thalian Association Community Theatre Announces New Artistic Director Bradford Brown
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Susan Habas Thalian Association Community Theatre 910-251-1788 shabas@thalian.org Thalian Association Community Theatre Announces New Artistic Director Bradford Brown WILMINGTON, NC –After an extensive national search, Thalian Association Community Theatre is pleased to announce that Bradford Brown will join the association as Artistic Director. Brown’s appointment follows the resignation of longtime Artistic Director Chandler Davis who stepped down in March but will assist in the transition as Artistic Consultant through the end of 2023. Bradford Brown has a BFA in musical theater from Syracuse University and an MFA in computer animation and special effects from the Academy of Art University. He’s worked in theater, film, television, and education, and founded theatre and media companies. “We were overwhelmed by the number of very qualified candidates who applied for this position,” said Susan Habas, Executive Director of Thalian Association. “It was important to find the right person to honor our mission as community theatre, continuing Chandler’s tradition of great production quality, as well as wonderful experiences for our volunteers and theatre family. Bradford’s diverse work history and skills, combined with his love for Thalian and local theatre ideally position him to lead our artistic vision.” “I’ve always loved my life in the arts and have been incredibly fortunate to have worked in so many disciplines,” said Bradford. “I am thrilled to be coming back to the theater as the Thalian Association Community Theatre’s Artistic Director. I’m eager to use all the tools I’ve gathered over the years to create incredible theater for the Wilmington community.” About Bradford Brown The arts have always been central to Bradford Brown’s life. Born and raised near Cleveland, Ohio, as a teen he performed in high school musicals, local television, and was recruited to sing in the Ohio Boys Choir, touring much of the United States and overseas. He attended Syracuse University with a concentration on musical theater direction. After graduation, Bradford moved to New York City where he founded the Off Broadway theatre company Ring of Fire Productions which combined film and computer animation with live actors on stage. He also continued his education by studying with legendary teachers Salem Ludwig (directing) and James Price (Meisner Technique). Bradford moved to Wilmington in the early 2000s and continued his theatre career directing several shows for the Thalian Association Community Theatre including Carousel, Pippin and The Pirates of Penzance. He continued his education with a Master of Computer Science from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco where he specialized in computer animation, film, and television special effects. His professional career in the film and television industry began as a set dresser on the show One Tree Hill. Set dressing and Prop Master credits include the films … » Continue Reading
Thalian Association Community Theatre Production Canceled
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Susan Habas, Executive Director Thalian Association Community Theatre 910-251-1788 shabas@thalian.org Thalian Association Community Theatre Production Canceled WILMINGTON, NC – Thalian Association Community Theatre is regretfully canceling, and rescheduling, the upcoming performances of Company, scheduled for Feb. 4 – 13 at Thalian Hall due to breakthrough COVID cases in those involved with the production. “Unfortunately we have no choice but to postpone these performances,” said Thalian Association Executive Director Susan Habas. “We were slated to open next Friday and are following CDC guidelines regarding quarantine and testing. We have rescheduled the production for August 5 – 14 at Kenan Hall at UNCW, and hope as many ticket holders as possible can join us then and there for a fabulous performance. We thank you for your patience and understanding.” Ticket holders will be able to call the Kenan Hall box office to transfer their tickets at a date to be announced soon, and anyone wanting a refund should call the Thalian Hall box office at 910.632.2285. Please call the Thalian Association at 910.251.1788 with any questions. Established in 1788, Thalian Association Community Theatre is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to enhancing the Cape Fear region through live community theatre and arts education. Thalian Association Community Theatre produces five major productions annually on the Main Stage at historic Thalian Hall and professionally manages the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington. The youth theatre program offers training and performance opportunities for children aged seven through high school seniors. In 2007, Thalian Association Community Theatre was designated North Carolina’s Official Community Theater by the state legislature. For more information, go to www.thalian.org.
Beauty & the Beast Tea Party
Rosie the Riveter: American Women in World War II
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Susan Habas Thalian Association Community Theatre Hannah Block Historic USO/ Community Arts Center & the WW II Wilmington Home Front Coalition Present Rosie the Riveter: American Women in World War II Step back in time and celebrate the beginning of the contemporary Women’s Movement with a tribute to Rosie The Riveter on the 2nd Street Stage at the Hannah Block Historic USO Building. Explore the Rosie phenomenon with a presentation by renowned WWII historian Wilbur Jones that covers women in all aspects of service to the nation followed by a special performance by Elizabeth Michaels as Rosie the Riveter. An exhibition of Rosie the Riveter memorabilia featuring Capt. Jones’ vast collection of artifacts, posters, and artwork will be on display in the lobby museum of the Historic USO Building. The nostalgic mood will be complete with free coffee and donuts courtesy of The Donut Inn and swing dancing with the Cape Fear Swing Dance Society before the performances and during intermission. There will be two performances only; Friday October 20th at 7:30 pm and a special matinee Sunday October 22nd at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $16 with special senior, group and military rates available and can be purchased at 910-341-7860 or at HBHUSO/Community Arts Center. The Hannah Block Historic USO is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and proceeds from Rosie the Riveter: American Women in World War II will be dedicated to the preservation of the building. Wilbur Jones is a Wilmington native, retired Navy captain, military historian, and the author of 18 books, including two award-winners on wartime Wilmington and Southeastern North Carolina. A frequent writer for the Wilmington StarNews Media, his principal field of study is WWII. He is founder and chairman of the WWII Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition, past chairman of the USS North Carolina Battleship Commission (currently a commissioner), and leads an effort to have the U.S. Congress designate Wilmington as the first “American WWII City.” Elizabeth Michaels is an experienced actress who began her career after high school with vast experience in community and regional theatre. Ms. Michaels settled in the Philadelphia area where she became involved with The American Historical Theatre as a historical storyteller. She has portrayed several famous women from the 1700’s to the present time with her favorites being Dolley Madison and Rosie the Riveter. Ms. Michaels has performed at the White House Visitors Center, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Valley Forge National Park just to name a few venues. Elizabeth is also a narrator of books on tape for Audible.com. The Cape Fear Swing Dance Society is a volunteer community organization dedicated to promoting swing dancing and swing era culture in the Cape Fear region. Established in 2015, the club holds weekly meetings at the HBHUSO/Community Arts Center that are open to the public. More information is available at the group’s Facebook page. “For many years, I’ve been absolutely in love with Rosie the Riveter and what she represents as the … » Continue Reading
USO Documentary Press Release
November 16, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Susan Habas Thalian Association Community Theatre 910-251-1788 DOCUMENTARY HONORS 75 YEAR HISTORY OF THE HANNAH BLOCK HISTORIC USO BUILDING Home Away From Home – the USO at 2nd and Orange Wilmington NC. A documentary honoring the 75th anniversary of the Hannah Block Historic USO/ Community Arts Center is now available to the public. Produced by filmmaker Rob Hill, it captures the building’s rich history including how it served our military during WWII, what it meant to them and the community at large, and how the building continues to serve our community today. The film was first shown during the world premiere of Mrs. World War II Wilmington, an original musical written by Tony Stimac in honor of the building’s 75th anniversary, on Veterans Day. The short version, at just under 5 minutes, can be viewed at wilmingtoncommunityarts.org/wwii-museum . “The documentary is an amazing introduction to the history of what I think is the most wonderful building in the world, the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center,” said Wilbur Jones, chairman of the World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition, which is charged with the preservation and maintenance of the Home Front Heritage Museum in the building’s lobby. “It is wonderful to be able to share how important this building was to the war effort, and how it is put to such good use today as an arts center for everyone,” said Susan Habas Executive Director of Thalian Association Community Theatre, which manages the building for the City of Wilmington. Film Maker Rob Hill majored in Motion Picture and Television Production at the University of Southern Colorado. With a small grant in 1999, he produced, directed and edited the non-fiction film Live In It To Win It, which screened at numerous film festivals nationwide. Rob directed, edited and wrote the Emmy nominated documentary The Fort Fisher Hermit, which won Best Documentary Feature at the Hollywood Digital Film Festival and is distributed internationally by American Public Television and Cinetic Media. The National Academy of Television Science nominated Rob for the prestigious Rising Star Award in 2007, and in 2011 Rob received his third EMMY nomination for the PBS documentary BATTLESHIP NORTH CAROLINA: The Showboat Legacy. The Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center is owned by the City of Wilmington and managed by Thalian Association Community Theatre. The building is a historic and cultural treasure that has been the center of recreation and art for generations of local children. Today the building continues to be the home for children, art and recreation while serving as a mini museum of the Wilmington and New Hanover County WWII home front. The World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) preservation organization, is the de-facto preservationist of the building’s history and maintains the home front museum. For more information go to www.wilmingtoncommunityarts.org.
Cast Announcement for Mrs. WWII Wilmington
October 24, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Susan Habas Thalian Association Community Theatre 910-251-1788 CAST ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE ORIGINAL MUSICAL MRS. WORLD WAR II WILMINGTON “We Fell in Love at the USO” At the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center November 11 – 13, 2016 – Tickets On Sale Now Thalian Association Community Theatre (TACT) and the World War II Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition are honored to announce the cast of Mrs. World War II Wilmington, an original musical to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Historic USO Building. The original piece honors the building’s namesake and Cape Fear matriarch, Hannah Block, who became known as Mrs. World War II Wilmington, thanks to her tireless efforts on behalf of our military personnel. The Hannah Block Historic USO is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and proceeds from Mrs. WII Wilmington will be dedicated to the preservation of the building. Written and directed by nationally celebrated director, producer and author Tony Stimac, the play will open on Veteran’s Day, November 11th with a gala reception and four weekend performances on the Second Street Stage in the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center. Rasa Love takes center stage as Hannah Block and will be joined by Wilmington theatre community veterans Chris Connor (Vinnie), Jeff Phillips (Wiley) and Beth Swindell (Millie). Two newcomers are at the heart of the love story, Johanna Winkel (Frances) and Marlon Ramos (Vinnie). “I am very honored and excited to be part of a wonderful cast for Mrs. WWII as well as celebrating such a great milestone for the Hannah Block Historic USO building,” said Ramos. “Being a cast member on this show also holds a special meaning to me having being a veteran serving the United States Marine Corps. I know firsthand what great services the USO provides, so being part of this production, I hope, can show my gratitude and respect for such a distinguished organization that bridges families and communities to services members across the nation and those forward deployed.” Andie Creech, Ava Eller, Jessi Hoadley, Emma Hutchinson, Maggie Stone, Bryson Byers, Jackson Lee, Tre Ricanee, Cameron Staley, and Derek West complete the cast. Many of the ensemble members perform in TACT Youth Theatre productions at the Historic USO Building. The creative team for Mrs. World War II Wilmington includes Cherri McKay (Assistant Director/Production Stage Manager), Sharon Miller (Music Director), Tina Leak (Choreographer), Sheryl Liu (Set Design), Lance Howell (Costume & Lighting Design), John Deveaux (Sound Design), Ev Smith (Rehearsal Stage Manager), and Captain Wilbur Jones (Historian). Mrs. WW II Wilmington is a captivating tribute to the USO and all the morale boosting performers that entertained the men who sacrificed so much for their country. The show is filled with unforgettable songs of the period like “I’ll Be Seeing You,” “Goodnight Sweetheart,” “Sentimental Journey”, and “Don’t Sit under the Apple Tree.” It is a musical love story, filled with humor, poignancy, romance and features pulsating production numbers that will take … » Continue Reading
Thank You for your Donation
Thank you so much for your generous donation to the Thalian Association. Revenue from our ticket sales alone funds only a portion of our operating costs. Like all non-profit institutions, the Thalian Association depends on the generosity of patrons like you to bridge that crucial gap. Please let the community know you support live theater in the Port City. The difference begins with you… Our Mission: The Official Community Theater of North Carolina exists to enrich the lives of the residents of the Wilmington area by producing quality community theater, teaching youth life skills through theater education and providing an outlet for artists and technicians to develop and exercise their craft.
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