Youth Shakespeare Workshop featured in The Facts

Local 9 to 13-year olds spent yesterday morning at a Youth Shakespeare Workshop, led by The Center’s executive director Wes Copeland and hosted by Lake Jackson Historical museum. The workshop is featured on the front page of today’s (6/10) issue of The Facts.

Designed to offer a more hands-on introduction to the Bard than a traditional classroom setting, Copeland’s three-hour workshop provided kids with Shakespeare’s history and biography, background on his contributions to literature and the stage, and plenty of activities.

Read the story online and see photos!

 

Brazosport Center Stages’ “An Iliad” Wins Numerous Awards at TEXFest

Initially performed outdoors in spring 2021 to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions, Brazosport Center Stages’ production of An Iliad returned to the stage this last weekend at Theater Network of Texas, Inc.’s TEXFest in Kerrville. The theater festival and competition included performances from Boerne Community Theatre, Brazosport Center Stages, Fort Stockton Community Theatre and Playhouse 2000.

Written by Denis O’Hare and Lisa Peterson, Center Stages’ An Iliad featured actor Jeremy Todd reprising his role as The Poet and Cory Todd as The Muse. Connie Marshall directed the show, Shirley Busbice served as stage manager and Wes Copeland directed the production’s lighting and sound.

When Center Stages originally selected An Iliad to bring to the stage last year, the production allowed for a small cast and crew to limit interaction due to COVID-19. Three actors, including Jeremy Todd, took on the role, which amounts to a 90+ minute monologue with musical accompaniment by The Muse.

With 11 months having passed since the original performances, the cast and crew spent several weeks working to get the production stage-ready once again. Their hard work and dedication certainly paid off.

Center Stages’ production was deemed one of two winners and awarded a paid advancement to the Southwest Theater Competition in April, where they will compete against theaters from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma. In addition to the production’s advancement, the cast and crew were recognized for their efforts.

Jeremy Todd was awarded “Best Actor” and Cory Todd was awarded “All Star Cast”. Center Stages also received the “Audience Acclaim Award” and the “Backstage Award”, which recognizes the company that judges felt operated in the most composed, efficient and outstanding manner during the festival.

Director Connie Marshall was pleased with both how well the performance went and how the audience responded.

“We were overwhelmed by the reception the performance received at TEXFest,” she said. “I am very proud of this hardworking cast and crew and excited to present An Iliad at the Southwest Theater Conference in April. It is a good story, told exceptionally well.”

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra to Host “Animusicology” Event & Concert on Saturday, November 13

Brazosport Symphony Orchestra is teaming up with the SPCA of Brazoria County for an amazing day ALL about animals! Mark your calendar now for an exciting day of events on Saturday, November 13.

From 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, head up to The Center to meet animals from the SPCA you can adopt on the spot, PLUS crafts and games, face-painting, an instrument “petting zoo” and more! This event is free and open to the public!

Then make plans to join us at 7:30 PM at The Clarion for BSO’s concert, Animusicology, a musical tribute to animals. The concert includes Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, featuring narration by Wes Copeland! Click the button to purchase your tickets online or call 979-265-7661 or stop by the Box Office during regular business hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday).

Purchase tickets to BSO “Animusicology” Concert!

MLKCC Awards Sponsorship to Center Stages for “Having Our Say”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee presented Brazosport Center Stages a sponsorship award to support the upcoming production of Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years on Saturday, May 1. Leadership, cast and crew gathered at The Center’s Freeport LNG Theater, where MLKCC president Dorothy Thomas presented Center executive director Wes Copeland and BCS president Craig Fritz with the award.

Thomas said MLKCC seeks to collaborate with organizations promoting inclusion and diversity in cultural community interests, and the sponsorship aligned perfectly with their goals.

“Having Our Say is a production that provides diversity in the performing arts,” she said.  “Diversity is so fundamental, and it helps create new audiences and funding sources. When this partnership was presented to MLKCC, we were excited about the opportunity to sponsor an African American production.  We hope this event will lead to a greater interest in not only African-American performers, but also the need for more diverse productions in our community.”

Adapted by Emily Mann from the book by Sarah L. Delany and A. Elizabeth Delany with Amy Hill Hearth, Having Our Say celebrates the lives of Dr. A. Elizabeth “Bessie” Delany and Ms. Sarah L. “Sadie” Delany, two civil rights pioneers who overcame the challenges of the Jim Crow era of U.S. history to become respected community and business leaders. The sisters captured the public’s attention and admiration for both their personal achievements and honest portrayal of their experiences as African American women in 20th century America.

Copeland said The Center strives to provide opportunities for both education and artistic expression for all members of our community.

“We are grateful to MLKCC for helping Center Stages bring the stories of these remarkable women to life,” he said. “We are committed to making The Center a beacon for inclusion, dialogue and representation. Our goal is to tell the stories that matter. We value our community’s stories, and we want our stage to be a platform where everybody sees themselves.”

Having Our Say runs May 14-16 and 21-23, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 PM and Sunday shows at 2:30 PM. The play has been double cast with actors Lois Davis and Sharon J. Barnes starring in the May 15, 16, and 21 productions. Tonita L. Addison and Kendra Edwards Waters will take on the roles May 14, 22 and 23. Tickets are available online at https://bcfas.org/live-theater and during Center business hours (M-F, 9AM-5PM) at the Box Office or by phone at 979-265-7661.