OPENING WEEKEND: A FAMILY ADVENTURE!

A LETTER FROM OUR MARKETING DIRECTOR, SHANNON SHERROW

Who’s ready for a family adventure with a flying car?!

Happy Theatre Thursday! This Thursday is extra special because it is also the Preview Night for our production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! Preview Night is an exclusive sneak peek of the show before it opens to the public. Generally people that receive tickets to this are our sponsors, underwriters, local media, and contest winners. This is a great way for the cast to experience an audience for the first time before they officially open their show.

Inside The Family Aspect Of The Show!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a family musical both onstage, and off! Family is what this show is centered around and something audiences might be surprised to learn is there are also family units sharing the stage. The father/son duo, Tom and Sam Baker, are both making their Springfield Little Theatre debut with this show! Tom plays the lead, Caractaus Potts, and Sam is a member of the Ensemble. Tom has said multiple times throughout this rehearsal process that it has been truly special to share this experience with his son. We also have mother/daughter duos of Stephanie and Makenzie Derrick, as well as Erin and Kinsley Hillis. Both moms are making their Springfield Little Theatre debut with this show as well! One mom, Erin Hillis mentions in her cast bio that she is “so happy’ to “share the stage” with her daughter. A Sister duo, Allyssa and Hailey Hakan both veterans of the Landers stage and both a Featured Dancer in the show. And a brother duo, Dean and Jim Price who is sharing the stage together for the first time in fifty years! It’s no surprise that this is the perfect show for families to experience together onstage, as this story echos family and “Teamwork” throughout the show. Children that attend will be dazzled by the flying car, the children’s ensemble dancing around on stage, and the two children leads, played by Caedmon Wilcox and Ava Bartlett, who are both adorable and talented. There is a sense of wonder and imagination that the two Potts kids bring to this show that really tie this family adventure together. Adults that attend will appreciate the nostalgic feel of the stage version and will walk away with the title song stuck in their heads, the same as 55 years ago! “Oh you, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, we love you!”

The family adventure, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang opens January 27 at the Landers Theatre and runs through February 12, 2023.

 

Tickets

Springfield Little Theatre, SpringfieldLittleTheatre.org and the Landers Theatre box office are the only official ticketing services for Springfield Little Theatre shows and events. Tickets sold online at any other web location may reflect inflated pricing and/or speculative seating options and are not endorsed by Springfield Little Theatre. To purchase show tickets you can call the box office at 417-869-1334 or in person at the box office M-F Noon- 5:00 p.m. or visit SpringfieldLittleTheatre.org.

Let’s Connect!

Make sure you follow us on social media for exclusive photos, videos, and behind-the-scenes content! While you’re at the show make sure you hashtag us #LandersTheatre and tag us on Facebook “Live At The Landers Theatre”! Also, “check in” on Facebook and tag us @Spfldtheatre on Instagram so we can repost your adventures at the Landers!

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See you at the show!

A BEHIND-THE-SCENES INTERVIEW WITH CHOREOGRAPHER, ALYSSA HAKAN

 

Hello! My name is Gracen Miller, I am a senior in highschool and am thrilled to be returning to the Landers stage during Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a Featured Dancer. I had the privilege to interview my friend, castmate, and choreographer, Alyssa Hakan. She will be graduating from OTC in May and will continue her education studying dance, theatre, and film at Lindenwood University. She is currently on a national tour as a Tap Into The Network Apprentice. Alyssa and I both got involved with Springfield Little Theatre when we were young through the summer camps. Alyssa said “This is what made me realize I belonged on the stage.” Below is our interview!

G: How do you juggle being in multiple shows and choreographing multiple shows at the same time? 

A: I like keeping myself busy with something I enjoy and want to continue pursuing. I stayed organized with choreography by making videos for myself and writing down the choreography so that it would be easy to teach. 

G: Amazing! How did you get the opportunity to choreograph Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

A: I choreographed the tap numbers for The SpongeBob Musical and the musical, White Christmas both with Springfield Little Theatre and was then asked to choreograph this show because Jessica loved the numbers and my other choreography pieces.

G: What do you pull your inspiration from and how did you make it your own?

A: I pulled a lot of inspiration from the movie and showed the featured dancers clips before learning choreography to get into character and understand the overall vibe of each dance. I enjoyed adding my own style to this show by making “Me Ol Bamboo” a tap number and adding unique numbers such as a lyrical dance to “Hushabye Mountain.”

G: Showing us the movie clips before we learned the combo was for sure a huge help! With these more stylized numbers, was it important to you to have a featured dancer ensemble?

A: This show has a variety of fun dance numbers and it was so important to have a solid group of talented dancers. This show would truly not be the same without the featured dancers.  All of the featured dancers share a special passion for dance and this is a unique bond that forms quickly on stage. Everyone is always on board for extra rehearsals and is willing to put in the work to make the show amazing. The dancers are positive and hype each other up. I absolutely loved working with this group and am excited to see them excel.  

G: Aww thank you Alyssa! You’re so fun to work with and I am so excited I get to share the stage with you. I know you have quite a bit of dance training and a talent for choreography, what is your training specifically?

A: I have extensive training in tap and have worked under the mentorship of Chloe and Maud Arnold from the Syncopated Ladies. I was a part of their tap company in Los Angeles and performed as their opening acts for their Syncopated Ladies Live Tour. I have training in all dance styles and have trained with NYC Rockette Summer performers, Springfield Ballet, Rhythmic Souls Dance Company in Dallas, and Joffrey Ballet. I started choreographing at the age of 14 and knew this was something I wanted to do as my career.

G: You are such an inspiration! Lastly, why do you think fellow dancers will enjoy this show? 

A: Fellow dancers will love this show because of the unexpected and exciting dance numbers presented. I did not stick with just one style of dance. I included musical theatre, tap, lyrical, jazz, and a mix of other different styles. My dancers have a certain honesty and bring the characters to life. Especially in “Hushabye Mountain” where we enhance the mood of the song and share a side of the mother’s story. I am so grateful to the amazing director Jessica Bower for this opportunity. I am so excited for this production, come see the show! 

It has been an absolute privilege to work with Alyssa during this rehearsal process, and I love how she has stylized the show through her choreography. The entire cast and crew has been working incredibly hard and is ecstatic to share this experience with the community. Being able to grow as a dancer and performer through this show is a joy. Come see these larger-than-life musical numbers and the cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Landers Theatre from January 27 through February 12! For tickets call the box office at 417-869-1334 or visit SpringfieldLittleTheatre.org!

 

XOXO,

 

Photography in the blog is courtesy of Brooke Blair (www.brookeoliviaphotography.com) and Emma Elliott (SLT Social Content Creator).

We can’t thank you enough for your time and talent during auditions. Blown away by last night. Thank you for the laughs and fun. Please come back and audition soon if you weren’t cast – trust me, it wasn’t for the lack of talent – we could have had three casts for this show. Amazing!

The first rehearsal will be a read through on Sunday, January 15 at 1:00 p.m. at The Judy. The Judy is located at 237 S. Florence Ave one block south of National. We will be taking costume measurements and headsets this day. Please join the “SLT’s The Play That Goes Wrong” Facebook group page for further information.

Annie – Sarah McQuiggan
Sandra/Florence – Rachel Arp
Jonathan/Charles – Corey Kilburn
Max/Cecil – Clayton Avery
Dennis/Perkins – Joshua David Smith
Robert/Thomas – Jamie Bower
Trevor – Matt Winston
Chris/Director/Inspector – Seth White
Sandra Understudy – Jodianne Loyd
Annie Understudy – Sami Lick
Jonathan/Max Understudy – Joseph Galetti
Robert Understudy – Benjamin Pomeroy
Chris Understudy – Jon Spence
Dennis/Perkins Understudy – Anthony Saviello
Stage Crew – Sami Lick, Jodianne Loyd, Joseph Galetti, Benjamin Pomeroy, Jon Spence, Anthony Saviello

Thanks everyone, see you Sunday!
Beth and Marni

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED – WITH VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR, MICHELLE STURM

Springfield Little Theatre is a volunteer driven community theatre and volunteers are the heartbeat of the organization. I sat down with Volunteer Coordinator, Michelle Sturm to talk about what volunteering is like at the historic Landers Theatre.

Shannon: The Landers Theatre is always bustling with so many fun shows and events. What are some of the ways you can volunteer at the Landers Theatre?

Michelle: We have a lot of different ways to volunteer. You can help during the day with set construction and painting, cleaning and organizing, costumes and that doesn’t even have to include sewing, craft projects, hanging posters around town, there’s so many ways.

S: So many different ways to get involved! If someone wants to come and work with the set or props, do they have to have specific knowledge about that task such as how to use a drill, or experience with painting professionally?

M: No, not at all. No experience necessary. We have people that come in and know a little bit about this or that and Chuck (the theatre’s technical director) will sit and work with them and gage their skill level and say, okay, I can give you a project that involves this. You know, everyone can pick up a paint brush!

S: So it’s safe to say that all skill levels are encouraged to come volunteer.

M: Definitely.

S: Is there an age range that you’re looking for, or a minimum required age to volunteer?

M: Typically for set construction early teens. We’ve had some younger kids that were good as well. We have younger kids as young as elementary volunteering as ushers during the show. It also depends on the show and how hard the projects are. There are certainly projects that all ages can do. The SpongeBob Musical we had kids as young as 3 years old helping with props! There are projects that can be done by all ages, just depending on the show and the department in which you want to volunteer.

S: Does volunteering for SLT (Springfield Little Theatre) mean specifically coming into the Landers Theatre and working on site?

M: No, not always. We have things you can take home, sometimes. Costume kits, sometimes props. Hanging posters is always something you can do on your own time.

S: What kind of availability is someone required to have as far as hours when they come to the Landers to volunteer?

M: Most of the time we work during the day with volunteers, usually 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with set and props. Sometimes when we get closer to opening a show we’ll have an evening volunteer calls, and sometimes weekends.

S: You mentioned a volunteer call. How would someone in the community find out about these calls for volunteers?

M: The costume show has their own Facebook group page (SLT’s Costume Shop Volunteers) that they will put out calls. You would find it on our Facebook page (Live At The Landers Theatre), If you want to usher or work front of house during a show you can call the box office and sign up over the phone.

S: Why volunteer with Springfield Little Theatre?

M: It’s such a great organization that brings so much to the community. It feels so great to be a part that and to help support the arts. It’s fun! It really is just fun to be here (at the Landers) and be around all of these fun people.

S: It really is fun! Last question, because I get asked this a lot. If someone volunteers at the Landers, do they get a ticket to the show they worked on?

M: Yes! Ushers see the show for free. We give you a comp ticket to see the show if you helped in some way.

S: Thank you for sitting down with me, Michelle. I hope people will be emailing you like crazy to volunteer!

M: Absolutely!

 

There are so many great ways to volunteer with Springfield Little Theatre at the Landers Theatre. A few I’d like to mention that was not talked about in this interview include working backstage during a show, and general office work. Working on a show crew is a larger commitment usually for the run of the show, but so much fun and there are so many different areas to work backstage. The business office at the Landers is also a great way to get involved helping with general office work. To get involved in any area of volunteering at the Landers you can email Michelle at [email protected] or call the Landers box office for more information at 417-869-1334.

 

See you at the show!

 

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG – CALLBACKS!

Thank you to everyone who auditioned! Marni and I have been wrestling and going through all the auditions and all we can say is WOW! Every single person left it on the floor. Unbelievable talent. Please, please, please come back and audition again. PIPPIN and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST are coming up and will be a blast. We are humbled by your talent, commitment and passion for theatre. Thanks for the night of no sleep – we owe you one.

These are the people we need to see on Thursday, January 12, 7:00 pm on the 4th floor at the Landers Theatre.

Seth White
Bryant Turnage
Mark Gideon
Jon Spence
Thomas Reasoner
Matt Winston
Rachel Arp
Jodianne Loyd
Bailey Doran
Alexandra Still
Joshua David Smith
Anthony Saviello
Sarah McQuiggan
Michelle Sturm
Mariah Michelson
Dave Logan
Benjamin Pomeroy
Trisha Baker
Corey Kilburn
Bailey Diehl
Jamie Bower
Clayton Avery
Sami Lick
Erik Kiser
Nathaniel Parrales
Tabitha Varvil
Nikki Boldt
Tonya Cunningham
Ryan Haywood
Joseph Galetti

Thanks again,
Beth and Marni

Congratulations to the cast of the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! We are thrilled to have you all and cannot wait to get started. Thank you to everyone who gave of their time and talents during the audition process. We sincerely hope you will continue to audition and stay involved with Springfield Little Theatre.

Please read the full list as your name may appear more than once.

Our first full cast meeting will take place on Sunday, November 6^th. Jessica will be in contact with specific details to cast members through email and the group Facebook page (you will receive an invite to this group).

Sincerely,

Jessica Bower (director), Carla Wootton (music director), & Alyssa Hakan (choreographer)

Truly Scrumptious:  Rebecca Claborn

Caractacus Potts:  Tom Baker

Grandpa Potts:  Ron Seney

Jemima Potts:  Ava Bartlett

Jeremy Potts:  Caedmon Wilcox

Baron Bomburst:  Dean Price

Baroness Bomburst:  Sariah Lee Wertman

Boris:  Joseph Galetti

Goran:  Mason Brown

Coggins:  Frank Connelly

Miss Phillips:  Carolyn Grace Billingsley

Lord Scrumptious:  Bob Uthoff, Jr.

The Toymaker:  Zeth Gregg

The Childcatcher:  Allegra Schaeffer

Sid:  Jim Price

Violet:  Kelly Rapp

Featured Dance Ensemble

• Megan Bone
• Natalie Hakala
• Gracen Miller
• Hailey Hakan
• Alyssa Hakan
• Emilia Riccomini

Adult/Teen Ensemble

• Allegra Schaeffer
• Amy Lynne Sorenson
• Avery Buening
• Bill Stratton
• Bob Uthoff, Jr.
• Brady Boaz
• Caroline Kelly
• Carolyn Grace Billingsley
• Charissa Moser
• Daniel Gimlin
• Ella Kroll
• Ella Mauzey
• Emily Stine
• Emma Lewis
• Erin Hillis
• Frank Connelly
• Jenna Pruitt
• Jim Price
• Kelly Rapp
• Parker Duckett
• Stephanie Derrick
• Zeth Gregg

Children Ensemble

• Charlie Teague
• Evvie Hill
• Finn Imekus
• Jerrytt Young
• Kendall Vinson
• Kinsely Hillis
• Legend Brooks
• Luna Mesick
• Makenzie Derrick
• Mia McClanahan
• Violet Hill

*The role of Caractacus Potts and Potts understudy will be added on Monday, October 31^st.

Understudies:

• Truly understudy:  Allegra Schaeffer
• Jemima understudy:  Kinsley Hillis
• Jeremy understudy:  Jerrytt Young
• Childcatcher understudy:  Ella Mauzey

These callbacks take place tonight, Wednesday, October 26^th at the Landers Theatre (311 E. Walnut St.)

Thank you to all who joined us the past two nights for the initial round of auditions! We had a wonderful time watching your work, and we sincerely appreciate the time, energy, and focus it takes to move through this process.

Please make sure you read the full list as your name may be listed more than once. Please note the times you are called for these callbacks. We will have music and the sides from the scenes you will read available to you this evening. If you do not see your name on this list, we sincerely hope you are interested in joining an SLT Education Series production! You will receive an email from Jessica inviting you to other performance and class opportunities within SLT’s education department. Anyone who listed their interest in serving on technical crew for this show will be contacted by our staff.

Callbacks will take place again at the Landers Theatre (311 E. Walnut St.) this evening. The cast list will be posted by noon this Friday, October 28^th.

Thank you again for your dedication to support live theatre in Springfield!

Sincerely,

Jessica Bower (director), Carla Wootton (music director), Alyssa Hakan (choreographer)

6:00 – 6:30 pm: (on Landers stage)

*For the names listed in this first time slot, please bring any dance shoes you currently have including tap shoes. Please wear comfortable dance attire. This is a callback for featured dancer consideration.

• Avery Buening
• Charissa Moser
• Ella Kroll
• Ella Mauzey
• Emilia Riccomini
• Emily Stine
• Gracen Miller
• Hailey Hakan
• Jenna Pruitt
• Megan Bone
• Natalie Hakala
• Parker Duckett

6:30 – 7:00 pm: (on Landers stage)

*For the names listed in this time slot, please wear close-toed shoes (no flips flops, sandals, or any other shoes that may prohibit movement). This is a dance/movement callback for children ensemble consideration.

• Ava Bartlett
• Brady Boaz
• Caedmon Wilcox
• Charlie Teague
• Daniel Gimlin
• Emma Lewis
• Evvie Hill
• Finn Imekus
• Jerrytt Young
• Kendal Vinson
• Kinsely Hillis
• Legend Brooks
• Luna Mesick
• Mackenzie Derrick
• Mia McClanahan
• Violet Hill

7:00 – 7:30 pm (remaining times on 4^th floor large studio) This is a vocal callback for children/adult ensemble consideration. 

• Ava Bartlett
• Brady Boaz
• Caedmon Wilcox
• Charlie Teague
• Daniel Gimlin
• Emma Lewis
• Evvie Hill
• Finn Imekus
• Jerrytt Young
• Kendal Vinson
• Kinsely Hillis
• Legend Brooks
• Luna Mesick
• Mackenzie Derrick
• Mia McClanahan
• Violet Hill

With:

• Amy Lynne Sorenson
• Bob Uthoff, Jr.
• Caroline Kelly
• Erin Hillis
• Frank Connelly
• Jonathan Roberston
• Kelly Rapp
• Stephanie Derrick

7:30 – 7:45 pm (break):  music and sides will be available to study

7:45 – 8:30 pm This is a vocal/acting callback for Potts, Truly, Jemima, Jeremy, & Grandpa consideration

• Allegra Schaeffer
• Ava Bartlett
• Caedmon Wilcox
• Carolyn Grace Billingsley
• Charlie Teague
• Dean Price
• Emily Stine
• Frank Connelly
• Jerrytt Young
• Jim Price
• Joseph Galetti
• Kendall Vinson
• Kinsley Hillis
• Luna Mesick
• Mackenzie Derrick
• Mia McClanahan
• Rebecca Claborn
• Ron Seney
• Sariah Wertman
• Thomas Baker
• Zeth Gregg

8:30 – 10:00 pm This is a vocal/acting callback for Baron, Baroness, Boris, Goran, Toymaker, Lord Scrumptious, Childcatcher/Junkman, & Coggins consideration 

• Allegra Schaeffer
• Bob Uthoff, Jr.
• Brady Boaz
• Carolyn Grace Billingsley
• Daniel Gimlin
• Dean Price
• Ella Mauzey
• Frank Connelly
• Gracen Miller
• Jim Price
• Joseph Galetti
• Mason Brown
• Ron Seney
• Sariah Wertman
• Zeth Gregg

Victor – Bryant Turnage

Dorian – Jon Spence

Daniella – Alexandra Saner

Gandumblewan – Don Patterson

Katrina – Tabitha Varvil

Sabrina – Hope Floyd

Doug the Magician – Patrisha Baker

Spellcaster – Valerie Bush

Brutus – Daniel Bush

Tommy – Nihar Sreepada

Michael J. Wolf – Warren Magnis

Werewolf – Alexi Palmer

Werewolf – Leo Wright

Finnegas – Tonya Cunningham

Finnegas Helpers – Marissa Ferlita, Melissa Meenehan

Druids – Katy Foser-Dugan, Beth Plaster, Ava Graham, Jess Hamlet, Emily Dunn, Artemis Leo, Bridget Mahan, Samantha Lick

Thanks everyone! We had a blast and can’t wait to get started on the show. Our first meeting will be Sunday the 18^th, 7:00 pm at The Judy. Be prepared for headshots, measurements and paperwork. Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Beth, Joshua, Jeff and Dan