Not Without Our Women Concert Readings: March 12 & 13

This week was a wild ride as we put together a complex, complicated and extensive application package to the Yale University Institute for Musical Theatre (see photo at left).

YIMT  offers two-week workshopping each summer to selected musicals written by MFA students. While Caroline and Patricia don’t qualify, Andrew is in his 3rd year as an MFA candidate at Ohio University, so we squeaked in.

Meanwhile, tickets are now available for our concert readings at Thick House March 12 and 13. Reservations are being snapped up, so be sure to act fast, and reserve your seats soon.

Three Girls Theatre to co-produce a reading in March 2012

As you may know, Patricia Milton is an Associate Playwright with Three Girls Theatre Company in San Francisco. Recently, the brand-new company launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a month-long stint of readings, performances, and special events at Thick House next March. The theme is Women’s History Month, and it coincides with SWAN Day by WomenARTS.

What’s especially exciting is that Three Girls Theatre has agreed to help underwrite a reading of “Not Without Our Women,” which will have undergone a 25% rewrite, on March 12 and 13, 2012, at Thick House in San Francisco. It’s an extraordinary opportunity for us to advance the project. So, if you can, please donate here.

SART ScriptFEST a delight

“Not Without Our Women” was read on Saturday, November 5, at UNC. We had a fantastic cast and our director, Josh Miller, did a great job within the restricted four hours of rehearsal. The hospitality we were shown was much appreciated.

“Not Without Our Women” at SART ScriptFEST

The musical has been selected as one of three finalists for the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre’s annual play reading festival, November 5-7 in No. Carolina! Andy, Caroline and I will be travelling there to rehearse and hear feedback.

ARTSWest “Not Without Our Women” reading

What a ride.

What an absolute thrill to work with nearly 30 talented and dedicated people to mount this staged reading. We learned so much and while the rewriting process is not yet begun, I think we know where there is really gold in this show.

Cast Announced for “Not Without Our Women” Reading

Auditions and callbacks are completed for the Athens, OH reading at ARTSWest. The cast is:

Beau Montgomery……….Lee Kinney
Abigail Bardette…………Sarah Farrell
Esther Morris………………Gay Dalzell
Benjamin Sheeks……….Richard Crist
Julia Bright……………..Mary Tensing
William Bright……………Matt Tragert
Thomas J. Howard ……… J. R. Pierce
Golden Feather……….Alexis Radcliffe
Charlie Johnson…….…….Joe Balding
Earl Johnson…………..Chad Kopenski
Sarah Bardette…………Chelsea Mabes
Leah Cohen………..……Marissa Wolf
Brett Walker…………….Drew O’Bryan
Farley Jee……………………….Pal Arian
Pandora Vincent…….……Celia Lewis
Clancy Holmes…………Charlie Lewis
Eve Winthrop……………Olivia Traylor
Representative……………….Ron Luce

Audition Notice: Not Without Our Women in Athens, Ohio

The Corporation for the Performing Arts will be holding open auditions for a reading of a new musical NOT WITHOUT OUR WOMEN by Caroline Altman, Andrew Black, Patricia Milton.

The Corporation for the Performing Arts in partnership with ARTS/West, 132 W. State St., Athens, OH will hold open auditions for a reading of a new musical: NOT WITHOUT OUR WOMEN on January 8, 2010 from 2:00-4:00pm.

On March 13, 2011, The Corporation for the Performing Arts will partner with ARTS/West to present a reading of the new musical: NOT WITHOUT OUR WOMEN. Book by Andrew Black and Patricia Milton, Music by Caroline Altman, Lyrics by Altman/Black/Milton. Auditions for the reading will be held at ARTS/West, 132 W. State St., Athens, OH January 8, 2011.

In the mid 1800s, the radical idea that women might vote, hold public office, or own property was unthinkable. This new musical, based upon real people and events, explores what happened when the territory of Wyoming instituted woman suffrage, attracting independent women to the wild frontier. The inevitable collision of old expectations and beliefs with the irresistible forward movement of human progress affects a whole community, the territory, and eventually, the nation. Whatever the century, the path to equality is fraught with obstacles. . .and blessed with pioneers.

Auditionees should prep 32 bars each of two contrasting songs from standard musicals. Sides will be available from the script. Auditionees will be allotted 10 minutes for each audition. Accompanist will be provided, please bring sheet music in the appropriate key. Call backs will be held on January 9, 2011.

Requests for further information and requests to sign up should be addressed to Ashley Johnson; artswestathens at gmail dot com; 592-4315.

The mission of the Corporation for the Performing Arts is to include professional performing arts, and provide access to the professional level performing arts and artists in the South East Ohio Region.

New Reading in Athens, Ohio March 2011

Stay tuned for details of the next reading of “Not Without Our Women,” scheduled for March 2011 in Athens, Ohio at ArtsWest.

To contact:

Caroline Altman, composer – lyricabella (at) gmail.com
Andrew Black, co-author – andrewblacksf (at) gmail.com
Patricia Milton, co-author – miltonpat (at) comcast.net

Thank you to all who attended the reading!

Thanks to all who attended the reading and gave feedback. Thanks especially to our fantastic cast!

We are working on a rewrite now, with the intention of entering the NY Musical Theatre Festival in January 2010.