Brazosport Center Stages

Laugh, gasp and sing along with Brazosport Center Stages’ live plays and musicals!

Be entertained by the longest-operating community theater on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Get close to the action in our two performance spaces where there are no bad seats.
Enjoy a variety of plays and musicals chosen to delight both families and grown-up audiences.
Experience high-quality productions at an affordable price, without the hassle of big-city traffic and expensive parking.
Plays take place in the Dow Arena Theater and the Freeport LNG Theater – both located in The Center for the Arts & Sciences.

BCS 2022/2023 Season

Steel Magnolias
by Robert Harling
September 9 - 18, 2022

Auditions: July 25 – 26

Director: Rachael Welsh

She Kills Monsters
by Qui Nguyen
November 4 - 13, 2022

Co-produced by Brazosport Center Stages and Brazosport College Theatre Department

Auditions: September 19 – 21

Director: Michael McIntosh

Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express
February 10 -19, 2023

Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig

Auditions: January 2-3, 2023

Director: Jean Warren

Anna in the Tropics
by Nilo Cruz
April 14 - 23, 2023

Winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Auditions: February 27 – 28

The Sound of Music
July 14 - 23, 2023

Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Book by Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse

Suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp

Auditions: May 14 – 16

Director: Judi James

Our Programs

Events Calendar

About Brazosport Center Stages

Brazosport Center Stages advances its mission of enriching, educating and entertaining people and seeks to build community while sharing and instilling a passion for theater in our audiences and patrons by serving residents and visitors in Brazoria and surrounding counties through high-quality theater and education outreach and emphasizing our competitive advantage of real-time authentic theater experiences. We are sustainable by our volunteers, donors, patrons and the institutional support of The Center for the Arts & Sciences.

Volunteer with Brazosport Center Stages

Center Stages’ success depends on the important work of its volunteers. By bringing together the time, talent, and energy of many dedicated individuals, we are able to provide the community with quality theatrical entertainment.

Volunteers work alongside each other, learning the “behind-the-scenes” technical aspects of theater such as lighting, sound, costumes, and set construction. Others choose to work in the theater as ushers and box office staff. Still others enjoy getting together to help with publicity and group mailings.

Whatever your experience level, Brazosport Center Stages volunteers are always welcome and appreciated. Listed below are just some of the areas where volunteers are always needed:

Box Office
Bookholder (prompter)
Costumes
Directing
Hospitality
House Manager
Lighting
Properties
Publicity
Producer
Set Construction
Sound
Stage Crew
Stage Manager
Ushering

If you are interested in volunteering and would like more information, please give us a call at (979) 265-7661.

You may also email us at ahelms@bcfas.org or complete the Volunteer Interest Form online.

Membership

Full Circle Sampler

Membership Benefits (beginning September 2021)

Enjoy an exciting season at The Center (and beyond) with memberships to each Partner Group with this “all in” membership! Price is valid through October 31, 2021.
Membership includes:
Basic Brazosport Fine Arts Council Membership (voting level membership) + $30 Donation to BFAC Operating Endowment Fund
Single Artist Brazosport Art League Membership
Flex Tickets to Brazosport Center Stages (5 adult tickets – reservations required)
Individual Brazosport Museum of Natural Science Membership
Individual BASF Planetarium Membership
Flex Tickets to Brazosport Symphony Orchestra (5 adult tickets- reservations required)

Full Circle Sampler

Brazosport Center Stages Membership

Membership Benefits (beginning September 2021)

“Build your own” Flex Ticket season
Choose the number of Flex Tickets (adults and students) you would like to purchase for the entire season.
When purchased before September 1, 2021 prices are
Adult Tickets – $18 each ($4 savings per ticket)
Student Tickets – $13 each ($3 savings per ticket).
Please allow two business days for processing.

Additional benefits include:
Advance notice for all theater special events
Discounts on Summer at The Center workshops

Flex tickets provide a discount on tickets to shows, but DO NOT reserve seats at performances. You MUST reserve your seats prior to each Center Stages show. Reservations may be made online, in person or by calling (979) 265-7661 during The Center’s regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM).

BCS Flex Tickets

Season Selection

Mission:
Brazosport Center Stages advances its mission of enriching, educating and entertaining people and seeks to build community while sharing and instilling a passion for theater in our audiences and patrons by serving residents and visitors in Brazoria and surrounding counties through high-quality theater and education outreach and emphasizing our competitive advantage of real-time authentic theater experiences. We are sustainable by our volunteers, donors, patrons and the institutional support of The Center for the Arts & Sciences

Season Submission Process:
The call for season selection submissions is sent to current directors, assistant directors, and community for input. Each production submitted will require a separate Season Selection Submission Form to be provided to the Vice Chair of Productions. Each submission will be reviewed thoroughly by the Season Selection Committee. Committee members may contact the person providing the submission with questions or set up an interview about your submission. However, they may not, so we encourage those who submit to make sure to fill out the forms as completely and comprehensively as possible. If you have any questions regarding the Season Submission Form, you can contact the Vice Chair of Productions @ productions.centerstages@gmail.com

Season Selection Committee:
All submissions will be reviewed by a Season Selection Committee. The committee is appointed from BCS & Community members not currently providing a submission and chosen to represent a broad range of theater experience, interests and tastes. The recommendations of the Season Selection Committee will be reviewed by the full BCS Program Activity Group and final selections will be made. Selected productions/personnel will be notified by the Vice Chair of Productions and will participate in a mandatory Season Selection Workshop in March. If you are interested in serving on the Season Selection Committee, you may contact the Vice Chair of Productions @ productions.centerstages@gmail.com

The committee will:

- Read the scripts
- Complete rubrics for feedback
- Meet to review feedback
- Select a balanced season aligned with the Mission of Brazosport Center Stages for submission to our Program Activity Group

Brazosport Center Stages Season Selection Process is currently open and accepting submissions! he call for season selection submissions is sent to current directors, assistant directors, and community for input. If you are interested and would like to learn more contact productions.centerstages@gmail.com.

History of The Little Theater of Brazosport

Over seven decades ago, in the war-torn years of 1942-1943 and in an area better known for mud and mosquitoes, the early stirrings of desire to develop a more cultural atmosphere resulted in the beginning of the Little Theatre of Brazosport.

It was a self-help, boot-strap operation which progressed from an idea of eight people working in defense plants, schools and as housewives, to the production of a full three-act play on a school stage on October 29, 1943. The founding eight enlisted six more, and these fourteen put up $10.00 each to finance the first production.

In an area hungry for entertainment, the group fast became a core of social and cultural life in the community and in the years 1947-1949 found itself with 500 sustaining members. In 1948, the Theatre was granted a state charter as a non-profit community organization dedicated to offering entertainment and education in the theater arts to all citizens of the community.

But, it was to take ten years for the Theatre to find its first “home”. Until that time, sets were built and painted in yards. They were hauled to the school auditorium, set up for a two-night run and then dismantled, stored in a donated shed or destroyed.

This nomadic existence came to a happy end in 1952 when the group used its entire savings to buy a sturdy, landmark house on the levee of the old Brazos River in Velasco. The Little theatre was home at last.

The varied skills of volunteer carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers and seamstresses were utilized to transform the house into a working and social center. Interior walls were dismantled, ceilings shored up with steel beams. The kitchen was modernized, a new restroom created. The entrance was turned around so the porch would be used as a workshop-storage room. Four small rooms in the center of the house became one 30X30 foot area. But there was still the problem of moving sets and playing only two weekend performances in the only available place, a local school.

Then, in late 1957, it was suggested to the group that they use the high-ceilinged great room as an arena theater and produce and perform in their own building. Over the next year and a half, the great room was converted by volunteers into a 75-seat arena theater which opened its first production on March 10, 1959. Seating was on folding chairs. The lights were created from two-pound coffee cans. But a new and exciting theater was born in Brazosport.

For seventeen years, the Little Theatre produced shows of increasing professional quality. Workshops in the various theater arts were taught each year to adults and children. At least three productions were offered each season. One actor in 1975 celebrated his 30th anniversary on Little Theatre stages. Second generation young people were active as actors, directors, technicians.

In 1976, the Little Theatre, through its membership with the Brazosport Fine Arts Council, moved to Brazosport Center for the Arts and Sciences to begin its 35th season and 100th production.

History of Brazosport Music Theater

In the summer of 1964, Brazosport Fine Arts Council, the Little Theater and Brazosport Art League had joined forces to produce “Brigadoon”. This project was begun to provide a summer activity for interested citizens. “Brigadoon” was a success in every way.

The following year, however, the three organizations, which had sponsored “Brigadoon”, chose not to produce musicals on a regular basis.

In January of 1966 a group of enthusiastic participants met to make plans for the organization of a group to produce summer musicals. In September of that year, after a successful summer production of “The King and I”, the first general membership meeting of the group was held. The charter was granted July 3, 1967.

In 1976, when The Center for the Arts & Sciences opened, Brazosport Music Theater took up residency in the Large Theater (now Freeport LNG Theater) and began performing several musicals a year in that space. The organization needed a pool of talented musicians to accompany the actors and singers performing in the musicals. To attract highly talented musicians, Brazosport Music Theater sponsored the formation of Brazosport Symphony Orchestra as a not-for-profit corporation, and hired their first professional conductor, Maestro James C. Hagberg, in 1982 to both music direct the musicals and to curate a season of independent symphonic concerts for the community.

History of Brazosport Center Stages

In 1990, the members and boards of The Little Theater of Brazosport and Brazosport Music Theater recognized that their interests and missions were similar and that they were sharing resources, including talent, more and more. It was determined that the two groups would experience growth and security if they were to consolidate into one corporation. In June 1992, Brazosport Center Stages filed for recognition as a not-for-profit corporation and have continued the decades-long tradition of producing high-quality, volunteer-produced plays and musicals for the residents of Brazoria County and beyond.

What to Expect at Auditions

Whether you are an experienced performer, or have simply always dreamed of being on stage, Brazosport Center Stages is an open and welcoming place to become part of a vibrant, local theatre scene.

Several days before auditions are to be held, ‘sides’ (selections of scenes from the play) will be available to review at the front desk of The Center. If possible, it is also recommended that each potential candidate read the full play to become familiar with the characters and tone of the play.

When you enter The Center for Arts & Sciences, you will see a table set up for applications to audition. Fill out the audition form and then have a seat in the theatre auditions are being held.

Your application will be delivered to the director and the director will call you up to the performance space in order to read a specific character with others who are auditioning. You will then sit down and wait for the director to call you up again. More than likely, you will be asked to read for more than one character. You may notice some people reading more times than others. Do not take too much stock in the amount of times you are asked to read: the director may have simply gotten from you what he or she wanted to see and hear. Further, do not become too nervous if the director stops your reading and gives you directions to consider. Simply do your best to follow the directions on your next reading of the side.

Finally, many directors will ask, at the end of an audition, if anyone would like to read for a character he or she may not have had a chance to read. (The director may also give you an opportunity to read with an actor you haven’t had a chance to read with.) This is your opportunity to show the director something you may not have had a chance to show on previous readings—so don’t be shy!

Directors usually hold auditions over two days. You are not obliged to attend both auditions. Please let the director know of any conflicts you have with rehearsals or performances. Usually, a director can work around a small number of rehearsal conflicts. Performance conflicts, however, will typically disqualify the performer from getting cast.

PLEASE NOTE: All cast and crew members must submit a background check to be eligible to participate in Brazosport Center Stages productions. For more information on volunteering at The Center, please review our Volunteer Manual.

Special Instructions for Musical Auditions

With most musicals, the Director, Music Director, and Choreographer will probably want to see how well you sing along with an accompanist, and how well you are able to execute a short series of dance steps (after being given a brief time of instruction). So, in the case of Musicals, be sure to prepare a song from either the show you are auditioning for or a song from another musical that is similar in tone and mood to the ones you hear in the show.
NOTE: please be sure to bring in the accompanist’s sheet music for your prepared song. The Music Director and Director may, politely, allow a short a cappella performance, but most of what the directors will be listening for is how well you can follow piano accompaniment. (That is why you may hear, at the end of an a cappella audition, the Music Director ask the actor sing “The Birthday Song”, or other familiar song, along with the piano.)

Also, be sure to wear clothing and footwear that will allow you to move. (Sandals and ‘flip-flops’ are not appropriate footwear for a dance audition.) You are also advised to bring a clean towel with you.

Finally, wait for the call or email confirming your status with the show. IF you don’t get a part, don’t sweat it! It is not a personal statement of your qualities as an actor…simply a director’s decision on the ensemble, or ‘total picture’ of the cast. Come back and audition the next time! Check out Brazosport Center Stages’ pages for your next audition opportunity!

Upcoming Auditions

There are no upcoming events at this time

Penguin Project

Empowering Young Artists with Special Needs

Brazosport Center Stages Penguin Project kicks off its second year in January 2023!

Brazosport Center Stages Penguin Project is a FREE program for artists ages 10-21 with special needs. It provides an opportunity for children with special needs to develop creative skills related to the theater arts and participate in community theater.

To get involved, fill out the Penguin Project Participation Form for both artists and mentors!

Founded in 2004 by Dr. Andrew Morgan and his wife Kathy, the Penguin Project has evolved from a single theater in Peoria, IL to multiple chapters across the country. Brazosport Center Stages is proud to be the first community theater chapter in Texas!

The project serves to facilitate joint participation between young artists with special needs and same-age peers through a community theater experience. Peer mentors work side-by-side with their artist partners and assist throughout the rehearsal and performance process.

Through generous support from The Community Foundation of Brazoria County’s Lowrey Community Service Grant and Olin Corporation, BCS Penguin Project is proud to offer this amazing program again this year!

The Brazosport Center Stages Penguin Project provides a forum of interaction for the young artists, peer mentors, families and local volunteers through community theater experience. Interested in participating or learning more about volunteer or sponsorship opportunities? Contact us at (979) 265-7661 or email thecenter@bcfas.org

Gerrard Teen Guild – Monthly Meetings

Teen Guild is for teens ages 12 – 18 interested in theater, both onstage and offstage. We meet the 2nd Sunday of each month from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. We work on different theater skills to expose them to all aspects of theater.

In June, we have a 2 week theater workshop that culminates in 2 fabulous performances. The students do it all, acting, lights, set, costumes, and makeup. The cost is $175 for the workshop.

New members: come to a meeting or email instructor Kerry Cormier for more info at kerryanncormier2@gmail.com.

Summer at The Center

Summer Theater Camps

Information for 2023 Summer at the Center will be posted SOON!

Other Educational Opportunities

Occasionally, Brazosport Center Stages hosts additional workshops for both adults and youth. Recent offerings include a workshop for auditioning, directing and lighting design. More educational opportunities will be offered in the future. Check this space often for upcoming educational opportunities.

Brazosport Center Stages Scholarships

Each year, Brazosport Center Stages awards deserving students scholarships to be used in their pursuit of a college degree. Students are judged and awarded scholarships based on their merits as students, their participation in Brazosport Center Stages productions and on their audition and/or interview.

Brazosport Center Stages/Kris Kirsch Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000 scholarships will be awarded (number of scholarships awarded varies year to year)

Eligibility: Must be a graduating senior

Must show outstanding aptitude/interest in drama, dance, technical theater, vocal or instrumental music.

Requirements: Submit a Brazosport Center Stages Special Application**

Submit a list of your Brazosport Center Stages involvement. This may include on stage, as well as, backstage involvement. It may also include Brazosport Symphony Orchestra involvement.
Must include financial need, leadership experiences, academic ability, and participation in extracurricular activities.
Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Submit a list of all your community service. This may include extra- curricular activities and theater involvement other than with Brazosport Center Stages.
Must perform or present skill in an audition format.

Additional Information: All applicants will be contacted by the Scholarship Chair to schedule an audition time.

Selected scholarship recipients are expected to perform at BSC Appreciation Night. If a candidate is unavailable, he/she should submit a video recording to be shown.

Selection: Scholarship selections will be made by a committee of Judges chosen by the Board of Directors of Brazosport Center Stages, The judges scoring and decision to award any scholarship is based on the following criteria:

School Records/Community Service (Weight: 33.33%) Review of Application and any attachments to evaluate Applicant’s scholarship, (based on class rank, standard tests, and GPA) community involvement, and community service in the Brazoria County area.
Involvement in Center Stages/Brazosport Symphony Orchestra (Weight: 33.33%) Past contribution and/or participation in Brazosport Center Stages’ productions, workshops, projects or general program.
Presentation of craft (Weight: 33.33%) Interview/Audition Project or other presentation of your craft to demonstrate proficiency in any aspect of theater or music. The applicant is invited to perform or present a work of his or her choosing. The applicant may perform a prepared piece or present any portfolio, project or resume of his or her work in any aspects of theater, drama, instrumental or choral music, design, production, sound, lighting, stage management etc.
In addition, all applicants may be interviewed by the judges on a variety of subjects appropriate to their application and attachments.

A link to the application can be found here.

Brazosport Center Stages Leadership 2021-2022
Chair	Craig Fritz*
Vice Chair of Operations	Shirley Busbice*
Vice Chair of Productions	Lorin Furlow*
Budget Manager	Barry Finley*
Secretary	Lizzy Conger*
Facilities Manager	Mason Rod
Workshops Manager	Carolyn Edwards
Archives Manager	Bobby Britton, Jr.
Scholarships Manager	Sharon Hill
Marketing & PR Manager	Callie Ayers*
Policy Manager	Irenna Garapetian*
Teen Guild Representative	Kerry Cormier
Brazosport Symphony Orchestra Representative	Paula Matzke
Past Chair	Mary Meyers

Brazosport Center Stages

Laugh, gasp and sing along with Brazosport Center Stages’ live plays and musicals!

BCS 2022/2023 Season

Steel Magnoliasby Robert HarlingSeptember 9 - 18, 2022

She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen November 4 - 13, 2022

Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express February 10 -19, 2023

Anna in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz April 14 - 23, 2023

The Sound of Music July 14 - 23, 2023

Our Programs

Events Calendar

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Steel Magnolias
by Robert Harling
September 9 - 18, 2022

She Kills Monsters
by Qui Nguyen
November 4 - 13, 2022

Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express
February 10 -19, 2023

Anna in the Tropics
by Nilo Cruz
April 14 - 23, 2023

The Sound of Music
July 14 - 23, 2023