Print this flier for a special buy one, get one free ticket to see Tuesdays with Morrie at The Renaissance Center!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesdays with Morrie Special!
Print this flier for a special buy one, get one free ticket to see Tuesdays with Morrie at The Renaissance Center!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Blake McMeans Story Premiere
Last night Nashville Public Television premiered The Blake McMeans Story produced by The Renaissance Center's Multimedia Department and funded by the the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office as part of the Underage and Under the Influence presentation, a special on the dangers of drinking and driving.
The moving documentary is about the real life story of Blake McMeans, one of America’s top amateur tennis players, and his journey from center court to a wheelchair. This emotional and inspiring documentary reveals how the young man transformed his tragedy into a powerful, cautionary story for young people everywhere.
Stay tuned for future airings of The Blake McMeans Story. For more information visit http://wnpt.org/news/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=1 or www.blakemcmeans.com.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Actor's Insight: All Days with Morrie
When I first heard I would be getting a roommate I was a little nervous. Of course I am no stranger to sharing my living space, especially at the actor’s house, where it is normal to see eight or ten people living there at once. This living situation, however, would be different.
My soon to be roommate, a man named Jay Doolittle, was cast as the title character in the Renaissance Center’s production of Tuesdays With Morrie. Without giving away the show’s ending, Morrie is terminally ill with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Judging from the script, I figured Jay was going to be old. I worried he would be out of touch with contemporary society, that we would have nothing to talk about, that it would be awkward. My “worst-case scenario” mind frame kicked in, and I began to picture myself living with my grandfather... talk about awkward.
Then one night, shortly before Jay moved in, I thought about the situation in a more positive light. Another central aspect of the script is that Morrie is Mitch’s (my character’s) former college professor. I began to get excited for his move in as I recalled the many great relationships I had developed with my professors. I thought about a certain theatre instructor of mine, Gary Gisselman, a man who would be well suited to play Morrie himself. If Mr. Doolittle turned out to be anything like Gary, I knew it couldn’t be so bad.
Now Jay has been here for about three weeks and the living situation couldn’t be better. My expectations were exceeded to the highest degree. As it turns out, our cohabitation is not a real life Odd Couple scenario. Jay is not old. He is not out of touch. His interests resemble mine on so many levels. He plays rock music loudly late at night and drinks beer with me on Saturday afternoons.
Jay is, after all, an actor. He has spent a life in the theatre, and his career is one that I hope to emulate. He is very creative minded and his sense of artistry is youthful and current, but also wise and experienced. In our short time living together, he already has taught me so many life lessons regarding the theatre and acting that I can’t put a price on them. He is also a fantastic sounding board. I tell him my ideas and he listens to them and offers advice. I ask him questions, and he answers them... exactly as they do in Tuesdays With Morrie.
Because of this, our “rooming” together has been incredible for real-life character study. We have developed a relationship just like the one in the play; Jay is the teacher, I am the student. I can count on a fascinating life story every time I talk to him, and I automatically become totally engrossed in what he is saying. I think this chemistry has translated to the stage very successfully. The only difference is, in the play Mitch only gets to visit Morrie once a week. In real life, we get to spend several hours of every day together. It is like the crash course version of Morrie and Mitch’s 16 year relationship. Every day is treated like a Tuesday.
As Mitch says in Act II, “I’m excited before I get on the plane (to visit you),” I am excited every time I drive home from work to find Jay sitting in the living room, watching the news, and ready to strike up a conversation. In the same way that Mitch is “sad or quiet... but better” after his visits with Morrie, I find myself going to bed longing for more of Jay’s stories. But I sleep well knowing that I have another life lesson in the bank, that I’ve gained another morsel of experience by simply listening to Jay.-- Colin Christie
My soon to be roommate, a man named Jay Doolittle, was cast as the title character in the Renaissance Center’s production of Tuesdays With Morrie. Without giving away the show’s ending, Morrie is terminally ill with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Judging from the script, I figured Jay was going to be old. I worried he would be out of touch with contemporary society, that we would have nothing to talk about, that it would be awkward. My “worst-case scenario” mind frame kicked in, and I began to picture myself living with my grandfather... talk about awkward.
Then one night, shortly before Jay moved in, I thought about the situation in a more positive light. Another central aspect of the script is that Morrie is Mitch’s (my character’s) former college professor. I began to get excited for his move in as I recalled the many great relationships I had developed with my professors. I thought about a certain theatre instructor of mine, Gary Gisselman, a man who would be well suited to play Morrie himself. If Mr. Doolittle turned out to be anything like Gary, I knew it couldn’t be so bad.Now Jay has been here for about three weeks and the living situation couldn’t be better. My expectations were exceeded to the highest degree. As it turns out, our cohabitation is not a real life Odd Couple scenario. Jay is not old. He is not out of touch. His interests resemble mine on so many levels. He plays rock music loudly late at night and drinks beer with me on Saturday afternoons.
Jay is, after all, an actor. He has spent a life in the theatre, and his career is one that I hope to emulate. He is very creative minded and his sense of artistry is youthful and current, but also wise and experienced. In our short time living together, he already has taught me so many life lessons regarding the theatre and acting that I can’t put a price on them. He is also a fantastic sounding board. I tell him my ideas and he listens to them and offers advice. I ask him questions, and he answers them... exactly as they do in Tuesdays With Morrie.
Because of this, our “rooming” together has been incredible for real-life character study. We have developed a relationship just like the one in the play; Jay is the teacher, I am the student. I can count on a fascinating life story every time I talk to him, and I automatically become totally engrossed in what he is saying. I think this chemistry has translated to the stage very successfully. The only difference is, in the play Mitch only gets to visit Morrie once a week. In real life, we get to spend several hours of every day together. It is like the crash course version of Morrie and Mitch’s 16 year relationship. Every day is treated like a Tuesday.
As Mitch says in Act II, “I’m excited before I get on the plane (to visit you),” I am excited every time I drive home from work to find Jay sitting in the living room, watching the news, and ready to strike up a conversation. In the same way that Mitch is “sad or quiet... but better” after his visits with Morrie, I find myself going to bed longing for more of Jay’s stories. But I sleep well knowing that I have another life lesson in the bank, that I’ve gained another morsel of experience by simply listening to Jay.-- Colin Christie
Tuesdays with Morrie runs now through May 16th in the Gaslight Dinner Theatre.
Tuesdays-Friday Senior Matinees at noon: $25
Friday and Saturday Evening Performances at 6:30pm: $35
Tuesdays-Friday Senior Matinees at noon: $25
Friday and Saturday Evening Performances at 6:30pm: $35
Friday, April 10, 2009
Arts Happenings!
Opening in the Gaslight Dinner Theatre is the heartwarming stage adaptation of Tuesdays with Morrie. Mitch Albom's visits with his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, become one last class on the meaning of life. Productions run now through May 16th with senior matinees Tuesdays through Friday at noon for $25, and evening shows Friday and Saturday at 6:30pm for $35.
Don't miss Arts Advocacy Day on April 14th at Legislative Plaza from 10am-3pm. Tennesseans for the Arts is hosting a free showcase of musicians, dancers, performers and visual artists to show the value of the arts to the public. Your favorite Renaissance Center employees will be there helping all the stage acts. Look for us in the black Tech shirts!
Jump into spring from 7pm-8:30pm on April 17th through exploring techniques of landscape and wildflower photography. Then on April 18th from 7am to 11am put the lessons into practice by shooting on location in a field setting in the Spring Nature Photography Workshop taught by Terry Livingstone for $85.
On April 18th from 10am-noon, study the six pillars of character through acting exercises in the Character Counts Acting Workshop with Kendra Simonton, which costs $20. Or learn and perform musical numbers with Bryan J. Wlas and Nathan W. Brown in the Musical Theatre Song and Dance Workshop on April 18th and 25th from 11am-12:30pm for $40.
Also on April 18th, come from 6-6:45pm for basic ballroom instruction with Davileen McNeely and Matt Stewart for $5. Then show off your new skills at an open Dance Party from 7-10pm.
Finally, come and audition for this summer's production of Willy Wonka based on the Roald Dahl's children book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Children 5-10 audition April 20th at 7pm, while those ages 11 and up will audition at 7pm on April 21st. Come ready with 16 measures of any song and sheet music or an accompaniment CD. Be prepared to move, as there will be a short dance audition as well.
Don't miss Arts Advocacy Day on April 14th at Legislative Plaza from 10am-3pm. Tennesseans for the Arts is hosting a free showcase of musicians, dancers, performers and visual artists to show the value of the arts to the public. Your favorite Renaissance Center employees will be there helping all the stage acts. Look for us in the black Tech shirts!
Jump into spring from 7pm-8:30pm on April 17th through exploring techniques of landscape and wildflower photography. Then on April 18th from 7am to 11am put the lessons into practice by shooting on location in a field setting in the Spring Nature Photography Workshop taught by Terry Livingstone for $85.
On April 18th from 10am-noon, study the six pillars of character through acting exercises in the Character Counts Acting Workshop with Kendra Simonton, which costs $20. Or learn and perform musical numbers with Bryan J. Wlas and Nathan W. Brown in the Musical Theatre Song and Dance Workshop on April 18th and 25th from 11am-12:30pm for $40.
Also on April 18th, come from 6-6:45pm for basic ballroom instruction with Davileen McNeely and Matt Stewart for $5. Then show off your new skills at an open Dance Party from 7-10pm.
Finally, come and audition for this summer's production of Willy Wonka based on the Roald Dahl's children book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Children 5-10 audition April 20th at 7pm, while those ages 11 and up will audition at 7pm on April 21st. Come ready with 16 measures of any song and sheet music or an accompaniment CD. Be prepared to move, as there will be a short dance audition as well.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
opening night through the eyes of lady larken...
After weeks and weeks of practice, it all comes down to this. Opening night!
The excitement is palatable. As I walk into the girl’s dressing room, I’m engulfed by the sound of my fellow Players singing along to the radio; “All my singles ladies!” Everyone is bustling around, putting on makeup, wigs and costumes. It’s very crowded in the little room, but everyone is having fun besides.
Before the play begins we all meet to hand off the chalice, which for this run is a little can of peas wearing a crown. The chalice is started by the director and is given to a different member of the cast before each show in recognition of their hard work. It is a simple gesture, but means a great deal to us all.
And then the moment we have all been waiting for; “Places!” As the curtain opens and we get the first glimpse of the audience, I get butterflies in my stomach all over again.
No matter how many times you practice a play, there is nothing quite like having an audience. The anticipation for seeing our show, which we had all worked so long on, actually being enjoyed is almost too much to bear!
Since the Renaissance Players are a community theater group, none of us get paid for this. We spend our time at the Center because we love it, not because we have to be there to make a living. I think that that is something that makes community theater shows so unique. We truly love what we do, because we do it purely for the love of it.
Amanda MollenhourLady Larken
Monday, March 30, 2009
Our first blog entry....
We are psyched to launch therenaissancecenter.blogspot.net for all of our wonderful patrons and others who enjoy, no better yet, love the arts. This will serve as an exciting forum for announcements of plays, art exhibits, music performances and more. We hope that it will also be a place for the community to have a dialogue about all of those things going on in the building. So when you see a great play and want to say so, please do. If you see a piece of art, that you don't quite understand, please ask! Afterall the Renaissance period was all about learning and awakening oneself to new possibilities and on the artistic side we are keeping that going!
And now for your entertainment, click here to watch a video highlighting the Renaissance Players' production of Once Upon a Mattress. Enjoy!
And now for your entertainment, click here to watch a video highlighting the Renaissance Players' production of Once Upon a Mattress. Enjoy!
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