As construction on the Washita Theater facade wraps up, fundraising is underway for the interior renovations to the theater. On Saturday, January 13th, Chickasha Community Theatre will hold a fundraiser for the Washita. It will feature the UCO improv group “So 80’s!” which includes Chickasha favorite, Collin Andrulonis.

“So 80’s!” performs improv sketches based on suggestions from the audience. If you have never attended an improv performance they are always very funny and entertaining.

Also included in the night’s events is a silent ticket auction before the show that will wrap up during intermission. Tickets that will be auctioned at the event include those for the Hornets, the Blazers, Sooner Theatre, Lawton Community Theatre, USAO Drama Dept., Chickasha Community Theatre, Oklahoma State Park Resorts, and Carpenter Square Theatre. Dr. Christen Clift, president of CCT, wants to remind everyone that tickets are still being accepted for the event and that anyone who has tickets they would like to donate for the auction is encouraged to contact her at 224-5342. Ticket donations will receive a tax-deductible receipt for the face value.

Ads are currently being solicited for Chickasha Community Theatre’s 2007 season program. The artistic planning committee has already secured 4 shows for the upcoming year and is currently looking at various Christmas shows to end the year .

CCT’s 2007 season will kick off with Acting Out! followed by a dinner theatre performance of Harvey. The summer will see a return to a joint production with USAO as we take on the musical version of the Ugly Duckling with Honk, Jr. The fall will bring the sentimental favorite Steel Magnolias. Christmas shows are still being considered, including a possible original script.

The Chickasha High School drama department, in conjunction with Chickasha Community Theatre, is preparing for the spring production of ACTING OUT by Paul H. Johnson. Auditions will be Monday, January 8th and Tuesday, January 9th at 6:30pm at the CCT rehearsal building located at 511 Chickasha Ave. (the former Star Trophy building next to the Washita Theater)

Ms. Frances Reding, CHS drama instructor, and Mrs. Tiffiany Crow, CCT board member, will co-direct this ensemble piece. Production is set for March 8th, 9th & 10th, 2007 at the CHS auditorium in the new activity center on John P. Cowan Drive.

Cast includes 5 male and 5 female principal roles with various minor speaking roles. Area high school students are encouraged to audition. “This production is a wonderful opportunity for students to gain an understanding of themselves and the people around them while perfecting their acting technique,” Ms. Reding states. “The audience will laugh and cry as they glance into a day in the life of a high school drama class.”

Net profits from every CHS/CCT joint production go directly towards the CCT Senior Scholarship Program developed in 1996. To date, CCT has given students back over $14,000 in scholarship awards.

Construction on the Washita facade wraps up during January. New plaster, roof, lighting, paint, display cases and supports have been added to the Washita exterior. The CCT board is planning a lighting ceremony to turn on the lights just as soon as the tower and marquee lighting restoration is finished. The interior remodeling is scheduled to start later in 2007. Sidewalk squares will be sold to cover interior costs and will be available for purchase as soon as final approval from the city is received. They will be available in two sizes; a 16” square for $1000 and 2’ square for $2500. They will feature a large star and up to two lines of print. Locations for the squares will be assigned based on when they were purchased and will be placed from the midline of the theatre and move outward as more are sold. If you are interested in purchasing one for your business or family please contact Thome Cook at 224-3652.

It’s 2007 and time to renew your Chickasha Community Theatre membership. Individual memberships are $10 per year and family memberships are $25 per year.

Membership forms are available online at  www.chickashatheatre.org

A membership form is also included with this newsletter. Please complete, enclose your payment, and mail to:

CCT

PO Box 1687

Chickasha, OK 73023