Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts is holding an open casting call for Rancho Mirage by Steven Dietz and directed by Anne Dodd on Sept. 29 from 12 – 3 p.m. at the Alliance for the Arts 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers FL 33919. Actors are encouraged to have a prepared monologue between 1 minute to 2 minutes in length; if not, cold readings will be available.

Acclaimed playwright Stephen Dietz’ black comedy looks at affluent suburban couples whose truths finally catch up with them. At an ill-fated dinner party, these long-time friends are awakened to the secrets of their past with hilarious and farcical results. Written by one of America’s most widely produced playwrights, this National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere comedy asks what remains between us when youth, dreams, and the last bottle of wine is gone?

Available Roles:

4 Women, 3 Men

Diane and Nick Dahner
Louise and Trevor Neese
Pam and Charlie Caldwell
All the couples are in their forties

Julie, the babysitter, is 17

Performances are May 9-11 and 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. and May 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. This production is sponsored by Stephen Hooper & Ellen Poage.

The Alliance for the Arts is excited to announce the return of its annual fundraiser Arts On Tap on Saturday, Oct. 20 on the Alliance campus at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919 from 7 – 10 p.m. Arts On Tap, now in its second year, is a taste of creativity in the Alliance gallery featuring the craft of local brewers benefiting the Alliance for the Arts.

Participating crafters include Big Blue Brewing, Bury Me Brewing, Coastal Dayz Brewery, Eight Foot Brewing, Fort Myers Brewing Company, Momentum Brewhouse, Palm City BrewingPoint Ybel Brewing Company and Scotty’s Bierwerks and culinary creations from Cristof’s and University Grill. For one night only, guests can delight their senses with locally-handcrafted beers, hand-selected wines and culinary creations against a vibrant backdrop of local art, our Dia de los Muertos Exhibit. The event also features two new brews from creative collaborations between the Alliance and award-winning brewmasters from Palm City and Point Ybel.

“The Alliance for the Arts is all about supporting small, independent makers who have a story,” says development and marketing director Jessica Wisdom.  “We’re excited to celebrate the art of craft beer for the second year in a row. In our never-ending quest to outdo ourselves, this year’s event will be bigger and better with more art, more food, more fun and of course more beer!”

Participating featured artists include David Acevedo, Cesar Aguilera, Jeff and Dale Ocasio, Guy Tieman, Amy Matsumoto, Rich Bravo, Terry Lynn Spry, Leo and Krista Johnson and Barbara Yeomans.

Last year, Arts On Tap attracted over 200 guests. Tickets are $75 and include unlimited tastings from participating breweries, wine, culinary creations, pub snacks, gallery admission, music, games, a silent auction and a raffle. The first 75 guests to purchase a ticket will receive an exclusive Support Local pint glass. Arts On Tap is for ages 21 and older. A state-issued form of I.D. is required.

Arts On Tap is a fundraising event for the Alliance for the Arts, a nonprofit visual and performing arts center located in the heart of Fort Myers. Since 1975, the Alliance has been transforming lives and improving community through the arts. Event proceeds support a creative hub that spurs self-expression, imagination and individuality.

The event is sponsored by Briers CPA, Custom Packaging and Products , The Dorcey Law Firm, EnSite, GMA Architects & Planners, HBKS Wealth Advisors, Priority Business Solutions, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank and Seminole Casino Hotel. Sponsorships and visibility opportunities are also available by contacting [email protected].

The Alliance for the Arts is offering its next acting class for adult minorities. The CHANGE Program (Communities Harnessing the Arts to Nurture and Grow Equity) engages aspiring minority actors in theatre education, provides performance opportunities and a platform to convene dialogue on social issues that challenge our community through creative, artistic expression. Through the course, students explore the fundamentals of acting, character development and scene work.

The class runs Saturdays, Sept. 22 through Nov. 10 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919. The cost is $25.Pre-registration is required and can be completed online at ArtInLee.org/Education or by calling 239-939-2787.This project is supported by the Southwest Florida Community Foundation.

About the Instructors

Derek Lively: Derek has appeared in productions ranging from Shakespeare to Eugene O’Neill and has worked in regional theaters and Off-Broadway, including The Public Theater and LaMama E.T.C. His solo show, Welcome To My Soul, which he wrote and performed, led to a first-look development deal with NBC (Universal). He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA.

Sonya McCarter: Sonya is the Community Engagement Coordinator at the Alliance for the Arts as well as a director and actress. Her heart’s passion is to help facilitate engaging, compelling and meaningful theatre in Fort Myers that features strong African-American characters and stories. Sonya has appeared in television (Burn Notice), film (The Florida Project) and theatre. Her directing credits include: The Bluest Eye, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Seven Guitars and Raisin in the Sun. She holds two Master’s Degrees in Oral Interpretation of Speech and Theatre Arts.

 Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts kicks off its 25th Consecutive Theatre season with a world premiere play: Repossessed by Greg Lam and directed by Stephen Hooper. Rachel Burttram, Brendan Powers, Lauren Drexler, Joanna Haley, Tamicka Linstead and Patrick Day compliment the compelling script. The production is the winner of Theatre Conspiracy’s 19th annual Janet and Bruce Bunch New Play Contest.

What would happen to our world if anyone could choose to remix and rewrite their memories and personalities? Rich and Gretchen seem to have the ideal marriage, until they learn that it was manufactured by a mysterious biotech company which installed it into their brains. Because they can no longer afford this service, the company must repossess their lives. Repossessed explores questions of morality and authenticity amidst a world of rapidly changing technology and the ethics that come with it.

“Greg has created a piece of theatre that will generate conversations about who we are and who should be able to alter those traits that make us,” says artistic producing director Bill Taylor. “The show is well written and moves quickly. Our audiences will enjoy this world premiere experience.”

Repossessed  opens Aug. 16 and runs through Aug. 26. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturdays with a new 7:30 p.m. start time and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

There will be a talk-back with playwright Greg Lam and producing artistic director Bill Taylor after the Aug. 18 performance. Talkbacks allow the audience to ask questions and express their thoughts and ideas on issues revealed in the play through the form of meaningful discussion. The opportunity is included with ticket purchase.

For theatregoers who are blind, or have moderate to severe vision loss, an audio described performance will take place during the Aug. 26 matinee. Please call 239-939-2787 to reserve.

Theatre lovers can save up to $42 with a Season Subscription. Season subscriptions range from $115 per person for 5 shows to $140 per person for all 7 shows. Individual tickets to each show are $26, $11 for students or $22 for Alliance members.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call the box office at 239-939-2787, visit 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL or go online at www.ArtInLee.org/Theatre.

Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts is holding an open casting call for Joe Turner’s Come and Gone by August Wilson and directed by Sonya McCarter on July 14 from 10 a.m.  – 12 p.m. at the Alliance for the Arts 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers FL 33919. To schedule an appointment, please contact [email protected].

The play, which takes place in Pittsburgh during the early 1900s, is an August Wilson classic. It focuses on Herald Loomis and his daughter Zonia’s journey in finding his wife. When they take residence in Seth Holly’s boarding house, a microcosm of African-American life, the story unfolds as each character searches for a missing part of themselves. Their personal journeys’ inevitably become intertwined with a search for identity and a sense of self greater than their heritage has so far allowed.

When: Saturday, July 14, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd.
What to Bring: Monologue of your choice. Don’t have a monologue? We will provide material for you to read.

The production runs March 1-2, 7-9 and 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. and March 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. with a talk-back on March 17. This show is sponsored in-part by Noreen Raney.

Available Roles:

Seth Holly– In his early fifties, Seth is owner of the boardinghouse and works as a craftsman.

Bertha Holly– Seth’s wife of 25 years and five years his junior, Bertha runs the boardinghouse. She does all the cooking and cleaning, later with the aid of Zonia.

Bynum Walker– A “conjure” man staying with the Holly’s at the boardinghouse, Bynum is in his sixties and is a freed slave from the south.

Rutherford Selig– The only white character in the play, Selig is a peddler who sells Seth’s goods. Known as the “People Finder”, Selig is from a family that first brought Africans across the Atlantic to become slaves. But now he unites people by recording the names and places of all the people he peddles to.

Jeremy Furlow– Another resident of the boardinghouse, Jeremy is a guitar-playing 25-year-old. He came to the North looking for a job and a way in life. He works construction, putting in the new road outside of town.

Herald Loomis– An odd man who dons an overcoat and hat in mid-August, Loomis is 32 and a displaced slave searching for his wife. He was forced to work for Joe Turner for seven years, which separated him from his wife and daughter. He works as a deacon for the Abundant Life Church and at times was possessed by spiritual beings.

Zonia Loomis– Herald’s daughter, Zonia is described as a tall and skinny 11-year-old.

Mattie Campbell– Mattie is a 25-year-old girl who is disappointed with her position in life and is looking for love.

Rueben Mercer– Rueben is the Holly’s next door neighbor and about Zonia’s age.

Molly Cunningham– Molly is a good looking young woman of 26 who is strong and independent.

Martha Pentecost– Loomis’ wife, Martha is about 28 and very religious and a member of the Evangelical church. She left the South and her daughter behind.

Final performances are May 3-5 and 10-12 at 8 p.m. and May 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. The production is sponsored by Noreen Raney.

For more information, call Bill Taylor at 239-939-2787.