The Alliance for the Arts will present Red Carpet Cabaret, a fundraiser supporting its youth theatre program, on May 25 at 8 p.m. at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919. Red Carpet Cabaret will provide light refreshments, a silent auction and a student artist variety show featuring a range of creative and musical entertainment.

“I believe the arts inspire a sense of purpose in children that follows them as they grow up,” says youth theatre director Carmen Crussard. “I understand the importance of math and science and other subjects that promote industry. But the arts promote humanity, kindness, and relationships. This is where kids learn how to be team players, problem solvers, a collaborators and good friends.”

Tickets to this event are $25 and benefit young performing artists.  Sponsorship and visibility opportunities are available.

For tickets or more information, visit www.ArtInLee.org/RedCarpet or call 239-939-2787.

The Alliance for the Arts’ March exhibition, 32nd Annual Juried All Florida, will exhibit from March 9 to March 29 with an opening reception on March 9 from 5 – 7 p.m. at 10091 McGregor Blvd. This exhibition features pieces created by artists working in a wide variety of media from all over the state of Florida. The juried entries come together for an exciting exhibition representing today’s Florida artists.

“It’s exciting to host artists from across all the pockets of Florida,” says exhibitions coordinator Krista Johnson. “The submissions truly showcase the breadth and creative talent of Florida’s independent artists.”

This year’s juror is Mark Ormond, Curator for Exhibitions Ringling College Galleries Ringling College of Art & Design. Mark has organized and coordinated over three hundred exhibitions.

From 531 entries, 50 artists and 57 pieces were selected by the juror. Artists include: Kaitlyn Handley, Hilda Champion, Beverly Yankwitt, Paul Dengler, Alane Enyart, David Belling, Betsy DJamoos, Susan Rienzo, Roxanne Hanney, Carolyn Steele, Ellen Miller, J.T. Phillippe, Elisabeth Arena, Imani Gibbs, Sherri Hubby, Maggie DeMarco, Tammra Sigler, Grayson Stoff, Buck Ward, Stephen Staack

Barbara Groenteman, Gregory Presley, Katrina Parker, Paula Rucket, Julio Pacheco Delgado, Deborah LaFogg Docherty, Megan Kissinger, Jeff and Dale Ocasio, Taylor Scalzo, Susan Ritter, Gay Germain, Christine Di Staola, Diane Schultz, Carol Stream, Vae Hamilton, Sharon Rodgers, Dirce Kennedy, Jolie Black, Mariapia Malerba, Luba Drahosz, Dianne GreenWoman Wickes, Peter Zell, Roseline Young, Sherry Rohl, Mark Wlaz, Victoria Milne, Tracy Owen Cullimore, Susan Martin and Deborah Martin.

The opening celebration will be March 9 from 5 – 7 p.m. Ormond will be on hand to present awards including $1,000 cash for Best In Show, a 2nd place $250 gift certificate for Golden Artists Colors, $100 cash for 3rd place and Jurors Choice Award(s) of Alliance for the Arts membership(s).

Meet and engage with exhibiting artists during a conversational tour through the gallery on March 10 at 6 p.m. during SoCo Second Saturday.

Receptions and gallery talks are open to the public and do not require tickets or reservations. While the gallery admission is free, a $5 suggested donation keeps Alliance programming affordable and accessible.

All Florida is sponsored in part by Elemental Stone and Waterworks.

Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts presents A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen March 1 – 11 at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33919. The production is directed by Anne Dodd, stars professional Equity Actor Brendan Powers and is sponsored by Bruce and Janet Bunch. The 1879 classic play about love gone awry has come to be considered a contemporary feminist drama.

A look behind the façade of an ideal marriage: Nora and Torvald Helmer are living their dream life, happily married with children and security. Their nine-year, three-child marriage stays fresh because Nora happily embodies the childlike role defined by her husband, while he relishes his idealistic view of marriage as a sacred trust in which the man rules benevolently. “To lie in a family home,” he lectures, “diseases it, contaminates it.” When Nora risks her reputation to save her husband’s life, the consequences test the limits of their love.

Cast

  • Brendan Powers as Torvald Helmer
  • Dena Galyean as Nora Helmer
  • Patrick Day as Nils Krogstad
  • Karen Goldberg as Kristine Linde
  • James Robinson as Dr. Rank
  • Eren Sisk as Helene
  • Paula Sisk as Anna

Individual tickets to each show are $25, $11 for students or $22 for Alliance members. Performances run March 1-3 and March 8 – 10 at 8 p.m. and March 4 and March 11 at 2 p.m.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call the box office at 239-939-2787 or visit www.ArtInLee.org/Theatre.

About Henrik Isben and A Doll’s House

In 1871, eight years before Henrik Ibsen wrote A Doll’s House, Ibsen met a Norwegian girl called Laura Petersen. Ibsen took quite a fancy to her and called her his ‘skylark.’

In 1872, she married a Danish schoolmaster, Victor Kieler, who subsequently contracted tuberculosis. His doctors prescribed a warmer climate, but they were poor, and Victor became hysterical at the mention of money. Laura arranged a loan without her husband’s knowledge, for which a friend stood security. The trip to Italy thus financed was successful, and Victor made a good recovery.

Two years later, however, repayment of the loan was demanded. Laura did not have the money herself, dared not tell her husband and, worse, still, the friend who had stood security had himself fallen on hard times. Laura attempted to pay off the loan by forging a check. The forgery was discovered, the bank refused payment, and Laura was forced to tell her husband the whole story. Despite the fact that she had done it purely to save his life, Victor Kieler treated Laura like a criminal. He claimed she was an unfit wife and mother and when she suffered a nervous breakdown, he had her committed to a public asylum, and demanded a separation so that the children could be removed from Laura’s care. She was discharged after a month, and managed to persuade Victor to take her back for the children’s sake, which he eventually, but grudgingly, agreed to do.

In September 1878, only a couple of months after hearing about Laura’s committal to the asylum, Ibsen began work on A Doll’s House. In his notes he wrote the following: A woman cannot be herself in modern society with laws made by men and with prosecutors and judges who assess female conduct from a male standpoint.

Sonya McCarter

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Sonya McCarter as Community Engagement Coordinator and Micah-Shane Brewer as Education Coordinator!

About Sonya McCarter

McCarter will be responsible for membership services, audience development and community engagement.

Science Fiction enthusiast, teacher, actress, singer and lover of all things theatre, Sonya’s interest in the performing arts began with her 8th grade Drama class. Her interest soon became an obsession when she starred as Dr. Van Helsing in her high school production of Dracula. Since then, she has incorporated her love of theatre in as many areas of her life as possible.  As an English teacher at a private school, she instituted a Drama and Speech program; she has produced and directed original plays for her church and community; and pursued her passion of acting in television, film and the local stage. Sonya connected with the Alliance in 2012, performing as the Lady Orange in For Colored Girls and later continued her involvement as Director of several shows. Her heart’s passion is to help facilitate engaging, compelling and meaningful theatre in Fort Myers that acknowledges and celebrates our cultural differences while exploring the universal ties that bind us all together.

“I am honored to be joining the Alliance for the Arts family,” says McCarter. “Who wouldn’t love being enveloped by the creative artistic expressions of our wonderfully diverse community on a daily basis? I look forward to exploring new and innovative ways to connect our collective community to the wonder of creative arts.”

About Micah-Shane Brewer

Brewer’s primary responsibilities include developing season classes and workshops, coordinating youth art camps, developing outreach programming and promoting multidisciplinary arts education throughout the community.

Originally from Tennessee, Micah-Shane is delighted to be joining the Alliance for the Arts. As an actor, director and musician, Micah-Shane loves the opportunity to create and collaborate with other artists, and understands what an important role the performing and visual arts play in a vibrant community.

Micah-Shane has led and worked with non-profit arts organizations for over 15 years. As a director, he was the Founding Artistic Director of Encore Theatrical Company in Morristown, Tennessee, and has guest directed for other regional companies. He has directed over 60 productions and produced others. Onstage, his favorite acting credits include Doubt (Father Flynn), Sweeney Todd (Tobias), Spamalot (Sir Robin), Sunday in the Park with George (George), and The Full Monty (Malcolm). He has also worked extensively as a vocalist, musical director, vocal coach, pianist, and lecturer. He enjoys teaching and working with students.

Micah-Shane holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and bachelor degrees in both music and theatre from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity.

“I am very excited to join the Alliance team,” says Brewer.  “The arts play a vital role in the quality of life for a community, and the mission of the Alliance appeals to me as an artist and educator. I look forward to working with our team to promote and expand our educational offerings.”

The Alliance for the Arts offers camp options including Summer Arts Camp for grades 1 – 6 and Musical Theatre Intensive Camp for grades 7-12. Alliance member registration is now open. Non-member registration opens February 26.

Summer Arts Camps allow children to discover their creative abilities by taking part in visual and performing arts with a different theme each week. Camp is held at the Alliance located at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL. There is an art exhibition and final stage performance each Friday afternoon. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended care available from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for a fee. Summer Arts Camp is $160 per week for Alliance Members or $200 per week for non-members. You may become a member to receive early registration and a 20% discount.

Themes include:

  • June 4 – June 8: Once Upon A Time
  • June 11 – June 15: Trapped in a Video Game
  • June 18 – June 22: Robot Mayhem
  • June 25 – June 29: The Search for Yellow Beard’s Hidden Treasure
  • July 9 – July 13: Are You Game?
  • July 16 – July 20: Broadway: Another Opening, Another Show!
  • July 23 – July 27: Super Heroes
  • July 30 – August 3: Let’s Rock Out!

Musical Theatre Intensive camp is held at Broadway Palm’s rehearsal space in Royal Palm Plaza and offers students the unique opportunity to work with Broadway Palm’s resident Choreographer and with actors from current Broadway Palm shows. Camp runs 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Daily arrival time 8:45 – 9 a.m. with no extended care available. There is a final performance each Friday at 3:00 p.m. Each week is $175 for Alliance Members or $220 for non-members.

Themes include:

  • June 4 – June 8: Seussical (Grades 6-10)
  • July 9 – July 13: Annie – Act 1 (Grades 7-12)
  • July 16 – July 20: Annie – Act 2 (Grades 7-12)
  • July 23 – July 27: Mamma Mia! (Grades 7-12)
  • July 30 – August 3: Broadway Palm Season Guide (Grades 7-12)

For more information on Summer Arts Camp or Musical Theatre Intensive Camp, visit www.ArtInLee.org/SummerCamp or call 239-939-2787.

You may become a member at www.ArtInLee.org/Join to take advantage of discounts. Teen volunteer and scholarship applications are also available beginning February 26.

Summer Arts Camp is kindly sponsored by Family Thrift Center in Fort Myers.