Courtney Minton To Assume Princess Theatre Manager Role

Seems like yesterday, but it was April 2016 when we first met Darren York.  For the past 6 years, Darren has been managing the Princess Theatre, and I must say he performed his job extremely well.  He had the knowledge of and love for the Princess necessary to drive the theater forward, and I congratulate him on his performance!

Now it's time for Courtney Minton to shine!  There is no doubt she will.  She comes from a background of education and theater production/direction and has already been working with the Princess for over 6 years.  Courtney has been leading the area youth in numerous stage plays, all of which are documented within this blog.

Courtney taught math and theatre arts at Midway High School for the last seven years.  The children that have worked with her in the classroom and on her many stage productions have loved her easy manner and kind direction.  That part of her will carry over into her daily guidance of our beloved Princess!

Courtney will also be managing the O'Brien Theatre at Roane State Community College, where she will also be teaching theatre art as an associate professor. 

She's going to be busy, and we wish her well!

  

Roane County Children's Theatre Opening Production On April 7th!

Roane County Children’s Theatre

Opening Thursday, April 7 and running through Saturday, April 9, the Roane County Children’s Theatre presents Michael Wehrli’s Law and Disorder: The Case of B.B. Wolf, The Stolen Tarts, and Mass Confusion.

The family-friendly, light-hearted tale involves all the characters you know and love as they join together for the trial of the century. The infamous B.B. Wolf has been accused of destroying all three of the pigs’ homes and dear old Granny of Red Riding Hood fame is suspected of stealing the Queen of Hearts’ tarts. Never has such a scandal rocked the world of Wonderland!

This double-cast production involves nearly 60 children from the local area and promises to be the first of many Children’s Theatre productions. Directed by Courtney Minton, the cast and crew is composed of students ages 8 to 18. The cast is led by veteran performers Audrey Coleman and Jackson Gerberding while more students, led by Stage Manager Alexis Hankins, can be found behind the scenes working as light and sound technicians, prop master, costume designer, and makeup artists.

Performances of Law and Disorder will take place at The Princess Theatre in Harriman, Tennessee on April 7, 8, and 9 at 7:00 PM and on April 9 at 2:00 PM. Admission is free and all donations will benefit future Roane County Children's Theatre productions. For additional information, please contact cminton@roaneschools.com.

The Dr. Eric Littleton Christmas Concert Has Become A Tradition At The Princess

Dr. Eric Littleton's annual "A Celebration of Christmas Music" concert has become a tradition; one that sets the tone for everyone's Christmas!  

Each year around the Thanksgiving season everyone starts posting on the "Friends Of The Princess Theatre" Facebook page, "When is the Christmas concert?", or "Is Dr. Littleton playing again this year?"

Well, the answer is always yes!  Dr. Littleton, probably, as much or more than anyone, looks forward to the intimate piano performance at the Princess Theatre in Downtown Harriman, TN.

There was great anticipation and much popcorn crunching prior to Friday night's concert.

As usual, Chris and Addie Mason introduced the show and soon we were deluged with the wonderful songs of Christmas.  

Even Santa, who sat off stage to avoid stealing the show, tapped his foot to the beats and joyful sounds of singing!

This year the Midway High School drama/choir, directed by Courtney Minton, opened the show and set the theme for the evening.  Not only their talented, but subtle humor quickly won the hearts of audience.

The star of the show is always Dr. Littleton's piano and his honed talent on its keys.  You may come every year, but you never get the same rendition.  He works throughout the year changing his arrangements, so as to make it new and interesting for his audience.

It's hard to pick a favorite Christmas song, and sometimes two or three are found within the same arrangement.  As he tells between pieces, he often gets inspiration from other "non-Christmas" songs he hears during the year.  In the music part of his brain, he can marry an Adele song, like her James Bond theme, to a Christmas carol!  And, when you hear it all come together, you rejoice at the creativity that flows from that mind!

A special moment came when Sophie, joined her father, Muse Watson, and long time family friend Mike Ross, on stage.  I never knew Sophie could play the piano until that moment, but coming from a talented mom and pop, I should have known!  You could tell her dad was bursting with pride.

muse and sophie watson from Douglas Mills on Vimeo. This moment was emotional for me too, but when Muse sang "Mary Did You Know", tears came to my eyes.  It was a very special moment in the show.

Offering Dr. Littleton another break, was his nephew Andrew Littleton, of Huntsville, AL; proving that talent runs deep in the Littleton family.

Missing from this year's lineup was Caleb, Littleton's son, who is off making a name for himself in percussion as part of the band at MTSU.  We wish him well!

Okay, so I'll get to what you are waiting for, the photos from the Christmas Concert.  We had a great time, and hope you have a Merry Christmas, and plan to join us at the Princess next Christmas!

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One Act Play - Saturday - June 9th - Princess Theatre

One Act Play

Please join us as the students from local schools perform a one act play. As members of the week-long Theatre Camp, young people will showcase their talents and skills learned.

Matinee Performances
2 PM and 4 PM

General Admission/Free to the Public

The camp instructor was Courtney Minton*, and the actors are local students that are interested in the arts!

Here are photos from this week's rehearsals...

Concessions will be sold (cash/check only). Bottled water, popcorn, various types of soda, chips, candy. All items $2 each. Coffee is free.

*Courtney has another "drama camp" coming up soon.  CLICK HERE for more information!

ATTENTION "DRAMA TWEENS"!

Midway High School Theatre Arts teacher, Courtney Minton, will be instructing a fun drama camp for all kids, ages 8 to 13, who want to take their drama training to a new level!  The 5 day camp (June 19-23) will be in the Arts In Motion studio in Kingston, TN., 9 to 12 daily*.

Drama Tweens will focus on individual, improve, and group acting skills, as well as, stage makeup, costuming, and props.    The 5-day workshop will conclude with a final performance, at the studio, on Saturday June 23rd at 11AM for families and friends of campers.

The cost for the "drama camp" is $150/camper.

Mrs. Minton is entering her 3rd year at Midway High School.  She received her degree in Theatre Education from Tennessee Tech in 2003 and later added an endorsement in Mathematics through the University of Tennessee in 2007.  Mrs. Minton is currently working to complete her M.S. in Educational Leadership through St. Thomas University and expects to complete this degree in September of 2017.

Space is limited, so act quickly!  

Call 865-376-0295 to reserve your place today!

*Please pack a morning snack daily!

Don't Miss "Hypnotized" Performed By Midway High School

"Hypnotized" written by Murray Austin, Directed by Courtney Minton, and performed by the Midway High School theatre class will be presented Friday (tomorrow) night at the Princess Theatre in Harriman, TN.

I was privileged to watch a full-dress rehearsal Thursday evening, and let my tell you, they have a HIT!  It was well rehearsed, played, and directed. 

The troop moved between scenes without skipping a beat and I, the audience, loved it!  The group was much more seasoned than a first year "drama club"!  As a matter of fact, this is Midway's first theatre class in...forever!

I sure hope this theatre fever rubs off on the other schools in Roane County!  We need art in our schools!

Please, come out and support this production.  It's well worth $5, and I promise you will be entertained!  The show starts at 7PM, but come early, get your popcorn and settle in!

The plot centers around three students who can't dream, and they resort to being hypnotized to try and fix their problem.  However, the cure may be worst than the disease!

You'll also see, not one, but two weddings, a galley of pirates, and a classroom full of hilarious fun!  Don't be frightened to be part of their dreams, 'cause you'll be HYPNOTIZED!

That's all I'm going to tell you about the play, but I will let you in on the scenes from the 2 act play with 6 scene changes.  Here are the players in the order they appear...

Courtney Moore (Kesha), Robert Schommer (Roger), and Larissa Lackey (Brandi)

Cheyenne Cowell (doctor walks behind)

 

Alex Westby (Found) and Elishia Pena (Lost)

 

Autumn Scott (Clarise)

Karissa Pilkey (Ms. Brown)

Nick Bettis (Pirate/Other Bride)

Madeleine Moore (Photographer)

Robert Schommer and Carlie Sherlin (Bride)

 

Robert Schommer and Nick Bettis (Other Bride) with Mary Kate Higgins (Salesperson)

SEE YOU THERE!