Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

April 8-April 24, 2016
PWYC-Thursday, April 21

2013 Tony Award Winner for Best Play

Middle-aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, PA, where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly, their movie star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Old resentments flare up, eventually leading to threats to sell the house. Also on the scene are sassy maid Cas- sandra, who can predict the future, and a lovely young aspiring actress named Nina, whose prettiness somewhat worries the imperious Masha. 

Directed by Frank Kohel

 Program

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Reviews

The Sub Times
Dresdner's Theatre Reviews
Northwest Adventures
axs.com
Tacoma Weekly
NorthwestMilitary.com

STARRING
Martin Larson as Vanya
Dayna Childs as Sonia
Stephanie Leeper as Masha
Fred Johnson as Spike
Leena Lambert as Nina
LaNita Hudson as Cassandra

AUDITION MASTER CLASS WITH KIP NIVEN

JULY 21-23, 2017

$125.00 for participants
$75.00 for auditors

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN for an intensive, three-day workshop in Musical Theatre Audition Technique led by star of stage and screen, Kip Niven. Over the three days, participants will perform a common song, assigned by Mr. Niven, to learn the basic techniques of the Workshop. Participants will then learn how to apply these techniques by working on a musical theatre audition piece of their own choice (up-tempo or ballad). All participants will learn about the perils, the frustrations, and — believe it or not — the joys of auditioning for a role in a musical.

WHAT YOU GET

Participants will receive one-on-one coaching and feedback from Mr. Niven to help them apply these techniques to improve their audition. Mr. Niven draws on his extensive experience as a musical theatre performer on and Off Broadway, in professional theatres around the country, and especially on his studies and long association with David Craig, who literally wrote the books on performing in musical theatre (On Singing Onstage and A Performer Prepares).

WHO IT’S FOR

The MasterClass is open to high school juniors and seniors, adults who are working professionals, and non-professional performers. The techniques adapted by Mr. Niven from Mr. Craig’s teachings are extremely beneficial for musical theatre performers and are tailored to any experience level. The Class is limited to 10 participants and 50 auditors.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE

Friday, July 21, 2017 6:00pm-9:30pm

A three-hour Lecture/Demonstration Session, during which Participants will learn the concepts and techniques of a Musical Theatre Audition. All Participants will prepare an assigned song for this session and will practice the Workshop’s concepts and techniques on this “neutral/common” song.  This session is the “nuts and bolts” of the audition technique.

Saturday, July 22, 2017 9:00am-12:50pm | 2:00pm-5:50pm | 7:00pm-9:50pm
One-on-one Work Sessions

In these three blocks of one-on-one work sessions, each participant will perform his/her own audition piece (up-tempo or ballad), with extensive feedback from Mr. Niven on how best to enhance his/her performance. Participants are encouraged to attend all three sessions. There will be breaks between the morning and afternoon sessions for lunch and/or preparation as well as between the afternoon and evening sessions for dinner and/or preparation. This work is “the heart and soul” of the MasterClass.

Sunday, July 23, 2017

9:00am–12:50pm Continued One-on-One Work Sessions: Participants will continue the work begun during the previous day. A lunch break will follow.

2:00pm–5:45pm Review session: Each participant will have a 15-minute review session to work on his/her song again before the final presentation/recital.

6:00pm–7:30pm Final Presentation Session: Each of the participants will perform his/her audition piece in front of an invited audience, with final notes and comments by Mr. Niven.

MATERIALS AND EXPECTATIONS

All participants will be provided with a photocopy of the assigned song as well as an extensive handbook of terms used throughout the Workshop. Each participant will provide Mr. Niven with a photocopy of his/her prepared song—in addition to the one to be used by the accompanist. All participants are expected to attend the Lecture/Demonstration, their own One-on-One Session, the Review Session, and of course, the Final Presentation. Everyone is encouraged to attend all remaining sessions of the Workshop, including the One-on-One Sessions of the other participants.

REGISTRATION

Participant Registration is open to the first 10 people for $125.00

Auditor Registration is available for 50 people for $75.00(Auditors will watch all of the proceedings and receive materials, but will not receive one-on-one coaching or time in the final session)

To register click here, visit the box office, or call 253-272-2281

All sessions will be held at Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N I Street, Tacoma, WA98403

Auditions for THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE

Tacoma Little Theatre is holding auditions for its production of THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE, by Jethro Compton, and directed by David Domkoski. 

Auditions will be held Sunday, March 19th and Monday, March 20th at Tacoma Little Theatre. Audition appointments will be set between the times of 6:00pm-9:00pm on Sunday and 7:00pm-10:00pm on Monday. Callbacks will be held on Wednesday, March 22nd.  

When a young scholar from New York city travels west in search of a new life, he arrives beaten and half-dead on the dusty streets of Twotrees. Rescued from the plains, the town soon becomes his home. A local girl gives him purpose in a broken land, but is it enough to save him from the vicious outlaw who wants him dead? He must make the choice: to turn and run or to stand for what he believes, to live or to fight; to become the man who shot Liberty Valance. 

Please prepare a monologue no longer than 3 minutes.  Roles are available for 6 men and 1 woman with some ensemble roles. All ethnicities are encouraged and welcome to audition. 

Ransome Foster (30-35) From New York.  Well-read and well spoken.  He is stubborn and often arrogant but always well meaning.

Hallie Jackson (25-35) She's a strong-minded rough talking girl.  Underneath her rough exterior is a beautiful and caring individual.

Bert Barricune (40-50) Bert is a true gunslinger.  He is worn and battered looking but clearly handsome.  He speaks only when he must.

Jim "The Reverend" Mosten (20-30) Jim is a young black swamper.  he is kind,  enthusiastic, well-mannered, full of energy and easy to fall in love with.

Liberty Valance (30-40) Liberty is a Southern Gentleman, but his manner doesn't disguise the scars on his face.  He is terrifyingly  unpredictable.

Marshal Johnson (50-60) The Marshal talks the talk.  When it comes down to it, he's a coward.

Jake Dowitt (25-40) Jake is an enthusiastic reporter for a small local paper.

To reserve an audition time, email tlt@tacomalittletheatre.com, or call our Box Office at (253) 272-2281. Please provide: your name, phone number, email address, preferred audition time, and playable age.

Once cast, THE MAN WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE will run from Friday, June 2, 2017 to Sunday, June 18, 2017
 

GYPSY AUDITIONS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6th 6:00pm-9:00pm
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7th 7:00pm-10:00pm
 

Tacoma Little Theatre is holding auditions for its production of GYPSY, directed by Chris Serface, with choreography by Lexi Barnett, and musical directon by Debra Leach.

Auditions will be held Sunday, November 6th and Monday, November 7th at Tacoma Little Theatre. Audition appointments will be set between the times of 6:00pm-9:00pm on Sunday and 7:00pm-10:00pm on Monday. Callbacks will be held on Wednesday, November 9th. 

To schedule an appointment, please call or email Tacoma Little Theatre.

Please prepare a monologue 1-2 minutes in length, and one song form the Golden Era of Broadway. An accompanist will be provided. 

A crowning achievement in American musical theatre, Gypsy tells the story of Mama Rose, the ultimate stage mother, and her hopes and dreams for her daughters, June and Louise. As the lights of Vaudeville are dimming, Louise steps into the spotlight as Gypsy Rose Lee and rises to become one of the most famed burlesque performers of all time. Just like Mama Rose, Gypsy is brassy, bold, and sexy. 

GYPSY will perform March 10-April 2, 2017

All roles are available and all ethnicities are encouraged to audition. 

• Momma Rose (ages from 35 - 50) The ultimate stage mother. Lives her life vicariously through her two daughters, whom she's put into show business. She is loud, brash, pushy and single-minded, but at times can be doting and charming. She is holding down demons of her own that she is afraid to face. Her voice is the ultimate powerful Broadway belt. Minimal dance but must move well. Comic timing a must. Strong Mezzo/Alto with good low notes and belt. 

• Baby June (about 10) is a Shirley Temple-like up-and-coming vaudeville star, and Madam Rose's youngest daughter. Her onstage demeanor is sugary-sweet, cute, precocious and adorable to the nth degree. An adorable character - Mama Rose's shining star. Strong child singer, strong dancer and taps. Mezzo. 

• Young Louise (about 12) She should look a couple years older than Baby June. She is Madam Rose's brow-beaten oldest daughter, and has always played second fiddle to her baby sister. She is shy, awkward, a little sad and subdued; she doesn't have the confidence of her sister. Strong acting skills needed. The character always dances slightly out of step but the actress playing this part must be able to dance. Mezzo singer. 

• Herbie (about 30-50) agent for Rose's children and Rose's boyfriend and a possible husband number 4. He has a heart of gold but also has the power to defend the people he loves with strength. Minimum dance. A Baritone, sings in one group number, two duets and trio with Rose and Louise. Strong acting role. 

• Dainty June (16-24) Baby June as a young teenager. The older she gets, the less she enjoys being her mother's trained monkey. Strong Alto, must be able to belt a song and have decent dancing skills. The ability to do the splits and twirl a baton a big plus, but not a requirement. Must dance very well, taps, strong Broadway teen singer, close harmony skills preferred. 

• Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee (18 - 25) Baby Louise as a teenager, who grows up to be Gypsy Rose Lee. Still pushed aside by Madam Rose in favor of June, until she herself becomes her mother's new pet project. Should be able to move well. Actress must be 18 or over to play this role. Minimum actual dance but must have very strong movement skills, strong acting skills needed. Must be able to portray both the awkward teen and a sophisticated woman we know now as Gypsy Rose Lee. Must dance inside a dancing cow costume, must be comfortable with the character's profession - stripping. The character is very scantily clad but never actual appears in the nude. Mezzo (needs light sound for "little Lamb" and belt for "Let Me Entertain You." 

• Dressy Tessie Tura (20s-40s) a stripper just past her prime. Big Broadway voice (Mezzo Belt), strong movement/dance, ballet training helpful. A burlesque dancer that shares her dressing room with Louise. She was once a ballerina and still has some of the moves. A coarse broad who's been around the block. Very funny. 

• Mazeppa (20s-40s) a stripper just past her prime. Big Broadway voice (Alto Belt), strong movement/dance, powerful character. A burlesque dancer who's tough and physically intimidating. Trumpet playing skills would be outstanding but not required. 

• Electra (20s-40s) a stripper just past her prime. Big Broadway voice (Mezzo Belt), strong movement/dance. Quieter than her counterparts but her costume is wired with lights, allowing her to "shine" without working up a sweat. Ditzy and sweet. 

• Cratchitt (any age over 20) the production assistant for the Grantzinger theater, N.Y.C. The comedic role. 

• Children's Ensemble (ages 10 -12) Two or three young boys and one young girl. Baby June's back up dancers and singers. Ability of one child to play accordion or clarinet a plus. Must sing and dance. 

• Young Women's Ensemble (ages 20 - 30) singer/dancers who act as both the back up dancers for Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee and perform in the large burlesque numbers in the second act. Strong dancers. Some comic skills very helpful. Very minimal singing. A few have minor expanded roles. 

• Agnes (20-30) one of the women's dancing chorus, strong comic skills required. 

• Young Men's Ensemble (ages 16 -20) Six young men sing and dance backup for teenage June, plus join in the number "Have an Eggroll, Mr. Goldstone." Should be strong singers and dancers. Will double as small parts in Act I and Act II, plus some backup dancing in Gypsy's strip routine. Must be very strong dancers and singers. Comic time preferred. 

• Tulsa (age 17 - 20) Boy-next-door type. Strives to break out of the troupe with an act of his own. Sings and dances "All I Need Is the Girl." Extremely strong dancer in all styles of show dance including tap. Good singer, charming, very athletic and handsome young man. High Baritone. 

• Kringelin (adult male character over 35) the put upon manager of a hotel. 

• Mr. Goldstone (any age over 30) Booking agent for the Orpheum Theater Circuit. Chaplin-like skills a must never speaks. 

• Cigar (adult male, age 30-50) rather aggressive owner of a burlesque theatre, Classic character part. 

• Pastey (any age) Cigar's stage manager. 

• Chowsie A small dog (with a good temperament).

Smokey Joe's Cafe

May 20-June 12, 2016
PWYC-Thursday, June 2

Broadway’s longest running musical revue

Leiber and Stoller virtually invented rock ‘n’ roll, and now their songs provide the basis for an electrifying entertainment that illuminates a golden age of American culture. In an idealized ‘50’s setting, the classic themes of love won, lost, and imagined blend with slice-of-life emotions. Featuring nearly

40 of the greatest songs ever recorded, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE isn’t just great pop music - it’s compelling musical theatre. Featuring such hits as: Stand By Me, Yakety Yak, On Broadway, Jailhouse Rock, and Fools Fall in Love.

Directed by Micheal O'Hara
Musically Directed by Terry O'Hara
Choreography by Eric Clausell

Program

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STARRING

Melanie Gladstone
Ashanti Proctor
Jermaine Lindsay
Ashley Jackson
Nancy Hebert
Eric Clausell
Bruce Haasl
Loucas Curry
Kawika Huston

REVIEWS

axs.com
Tacoma Weekly
NorthwestMilitary.com
The Sub Times

Gritty City Sirens

The Gritty City Sirens strive to inspire and entertain our community by consistently producing professional, quality performances and events that encompass elements of vaudeville, theater and live music.

The Sirens are a sisterhood based on trust, mutual respect, and empowerment of its members.

We represent and celebrate different body types, ethnicities, backgrounds, talents and strengths. 

Within our sisterhood, it is our goal to reach out to the community and give back. 

We do this by donating proceeds, performance, and volunteering to local non-profits (Broadway Center, Carol Milgard Cancer center, YWCA, Rainbow Center, Race for a Soldier PTSD support) and various causes throughout Tacoma and surrounding cities.

With every shimmy and shake the Gritty City Sirens

Put the T & A in Tacoma!

Purchase tickets here.

BIRDS FROM THE THICKET

Tacoma Little Theatre welcomes local author, and radio host, Gerry Bradley, to their stage with his one-man show, BIRDS FROM THE THICKET, based on his book. 

Gerry Bradley reaches out with a hand of hope to the 2.3 million people suffering from Bi-Polar/Manic Depression and those close to them. It is an autobiographical account that takes the listener through the joys and sorrows of the authors life. Gerry Bradley found his way back from the highs and lows to the "light at the end of the tunnel". He now lives a rewarding and fulfilling life and you can too.  The afternoon spans the range of human emotion; at times it's a labor of love, by others, a labor of despair. Yet with honesty, courage, and grace the author has set the story to the stage. It is at once an accounting of the author's personal history as well, as an accounting of American history--the journey of an Oklahoma boy who found his way back home by examining his heart--it's a hero's journey.

BIRDS FROM THE THICKET-AN AFTERNOON WITH MR. CHIT CHAT will perform Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 3:00pm.  This show is recommended for all 12 and up.

Tickets are $15.00 and may be purchased online here or by calling our Box Office at (253) 272-2281. 

HEATHERS

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Lakewood Playhouse
November 27 - December 22

“If You Think Being a Parent is Difficult - Try Directing the Annual Christmas Pageant”

In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids--probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won't believe the mayhem - and the fun - when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on! This delightful comedy is adapted from the best-selling Young Adult book and is suitable for the entire family!

FOOLS PLAY IMPROV AT TLT

June 30th at 8:00pm!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Fools Play is back at Tacoma Little Theatre in 2017-2018 for a second consecutive season! Tacoma’s own recurring Improv show every fourth Saturday, 10:30pm each month. Tickets only $10. This Tacoma staple is a must-see.

The cast of Fools Play has two rules: Have Fun, and Don’t Be Afraid. They take those rules and perform two longform improvised stories full of characters, drama, and humor. For 20-40 minutes,inspired by each other and you, we get to inhabit the lives of characters in worlds familiar or strange
for an epic journey or an intimate glimpse. Entirely improvised, we never know what will happen, but we do know we love discovering these stories.

No two stories are ever the same and infinite new stories are just waiting to be found.

 Concessions, including alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from Tacoma Little Theatre. Show commencement may be delayed if a TLT or another group is using the space prior.

In addition to the regular 4 th Saturday of Each Month Format, keep your eyes peeled for extra performances throughout the season.

Material is unscripted and uncensored. Recommended for mature-minded audiences.

FOOLS PLAY IMPROV

BEEHIVE: THE 60’S MUSICAL

Tacoma Musical Playhouse
January 24-February 16

Beehive is the ultimate celebration of 1960’s female empowerment. Featuring such timeless classics as “My Boyfriend’s Back”, “Be My Baby”, “Son of a Preacher Man”, and “Me and Bobby McGee”, Beehive nostalgically recalls the days of miniskirts, transistor radios and flower power. Told from the perspective of six young women who came of age in this enigmatic decade, these young ladies look back on a host of issues ranging from their first Beehive Dance to the challenges we faced as a nation – all accomplished by a vast array of the most celebrated and memorable songs of the era.

LAST CALL COMEDY SHOWCASE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27TH
DOORS: 7:00PM
SHOW: 8:00PM

Click here to purchase tickets

The best comedians in the Northwest and comedians traveling through town all converge on Tacoma for Last Call Comedy Showcase

Top Girls

Tacoma Little Theatre and Toy Boat Theatre presents a “progressive” staged reading of Top Girls by Caryl Churchill, on Wednesday, April 13, and Thursday April 14, 2016 at 7:30pm.  The production will be directed by Marilyn Bennett.

Top Girls, written in 1982, is British playwright Caryl Churchill’s homage to women who knock on the glass ceiling, yet a cautionary tale about the sacrifices inherent in rising in an oppressive hierarchical society.  Opening with a brilliant, wine-soaked celebratory dinner with five progressive women from history, the play follows Marlene, newly promote to Manager of the Top Girls Agency, through a reckoning with the life (literally) that she gave up to get there.  In this TBT treatment conceived by Marilyn Bennett, the audience will attend the opening dinner scene in TLT’s cabaret-like lobby (food and libation for purchase), then move into the theatre to watch how things develop at the agency, traveling back to the lobby to witness the reunion of Marlene and her sister Joyce, in Joyce’s kitchen.  There will be two 10 minute intervals to transition from space to space.

Featuring the talents of: Christine Anderson, Marilyn Bennett, Katelyn Hart, Ashley Jackson, Kait Mahoney, Deya Ozburn, Ellen Peters and Melissa Wyatt

Tickets for the April 13th & 14th performances at 7:30pm are $10.00 for non TLT Members, and FREE for those who are members. Tickets may be purchased here, or by calling our Box Office at (253) 272-2281.

GRITTY CITY SIRENS PRESENT BoobTube Season 2

SATURDAY JUNE 23
7:00PM & 10:30PM

TICKETS:
$25.00 VIP
(first two rows)

$20.00 General Admission (first come/first sat)

CLICK HERE FOR 7:00PM TICKETS

CLICK HERE FOR 10:30PM TICKETS

The Sirens are thrilled to be back at Tacoma Little Theatre with another installment of BoobTube Season 2!  Tune in on June 23rd at 7:00pm or 10:30pm.  The critics are raving and you will too!!

"A titillating romp of television favorites!"

Featuring special guest Waxie Moon!!

Waxie Moon is an international gender-blending queer lady boylesque performance-art stripping sensation!

The Sirens are sure to make you laugh, cry, and squeal with delight!

photo credit; Heather Schofner

Summer Camp 2016

Tuition:
$450 until May 31
$500 after May 31
(Some financial aid is available.)

Ages: Entering grades 1 through 12

All performances take place at Tacoma Little Theatre. 

 

To register, call (253) 272-2281 or click here.

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Session 1: June 20 - July 17

Rehearsals*
Monday - Friday 9:00am-4:00pm
* No rehearsal Monday, July 4th

Performances
July 15 & 16 at 7:30pm
July 17 at 2:00pm

When the street urchin, Aladdin, vies for the attention of the beautiful princess, Jasmine, he uses a genie's magic power to become a prince in order to marry her. Iago, Jafar, the Genie and more are here in Disney’s Aladdin JR., a musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem and the power of love. All of your favorite songs are here including: A Whole New World, Friend Like Me, and One Jump!

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Session 2: July 18 - August 14

Rehearsals
Monday - Friday 9:00am-4:00pm

Performances
August 12 & 13 at 7:30pm
August 14 at 2:00pm

It's the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians, and Skater Dudes find their cliques, recount their vacations and look forward to the new year. Basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy, discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. They cause an upheaval when they decide to audition on for the high school musical, led by Ms. Darbus. Although many students resent the threat posed to the "status quo," Troy and Gabriella's alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well.

Auditions for SCROOGE

Sunday, September 16th from 6:00pm-9:00pm
Monday, September 17th from 7:00pm-10:00pm
Auditions by appointment only

CLICK HERE TO AUDITION

Tacoma Little Theatre is holding auditions for its holiday production of Scrooge! The Musical, directed by Micheal O’Hara, musically directed by Zachary Kellogg, and choreographed by Eric Clausell. 

Auditions will be held Sunday, September 16th and Monday, September 17th at Tacoma Little Theatre. Audition appointments will be set between the times of 6:00pm-9:00pm on Sunday and 7:00pm-10:00pm on Monday. Callbacks will be held on Wednesday, September 19th.   

This musical, with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, is adapted from the 1970 musical film Scrooge which starred Albert Finney and Sir Alec Guinness.  The miserly Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night, after being visited by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

Please prepare at least 16 bars of a song in the style of the show.  Part of the audition may include a cold reading.  Actors of all ethnicities are encouraged to audition.  All roles are available, including roles for youth ages 6 and up.

To reserve an audition time, CLICK HERE, if you have issues please call us at (253) 272-2281.

Once cast, Scrooge! The Musical will run from Friday, December 7, 2018 to Sunday, December 30, 2018. 

ROLES:
EBENEZER SCROOGE
BOB CRATCHIT
HARRY-NEPHEW
KATHY CRATCHIT
TINY TIM
BESS
HUGO HEARTY
JOCELYN JOLLYGOODE
BISSETT - the butcher
MRS. DILBER
MISS DILBER
TOM JENKINS
JACOB MARLEY
PHANTOMS
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST
JEN
EBBY
FEZZIWIG
YOUNG SCROOGE
DICK WILKINS
MRS. FEZZIWIG
ISABEL
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT
MRS. CRATCHIT
PETER CRATCHIT
MARTHA CRATCHIT
BELINDA
HELEN
TOPPER
MARY
THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS YET-TO-COME
MR. PRINGLE - the toy shop owner
TRADESPERSONS, CHILDREN, BARREL-ROLLERS, APPRENTICE BOYS, BAKERY GIRLS, WINERY BOYS, ETC.

City Line - The Last Night of Ballyhoo

Managing Artistic Director Chris Service and the cast of The Last Night of Ballyhoo talk to City Line about the show.

LIT ALOUD-AN OFF THE SHELF EVENT

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016 at 7:30PM

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Tacoma Little Theatre invites you to an evening with three South Sound authors as they introduce dramatic readings from their diverse bodies of work.  Tickets for the September 22, 2016 performance at 7:30pm are $10.00 for non TLT Members, and FREE for those who are members. Tickets may be purchased online at www.tacomalittletheatre.com, or by calling our Box Office at (253) 272-2281.

Christian Carvajal is the managing editor of OLY ARTS, a multi-platform Thurston County publication devoted to the best in local arts and culture. He's the author of Lightfall (2009), a satirical view of the apocalypse as seen from an Oklahoma college town. Last month saw the publication of his sexy novel Mr. Klein's Wild Ride, authored under the pen name Lynn Savage. It tells the story of a marketing exec who agrees to rep a California theme park for swingers. "Carv" is an actor and director who writes feature articles for The Weekly Volcano.

Alec Clayton was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, the youngest of six children and an identical twin. He lived in Tupelo until he was 12, at which time he moved to Hattiesburg, 60 miles from the Gulf-Coast setting of his Freedom trilogy of novels. He earned a master's degree in painting and drawing from East Tennessee State University, then edited a weekly newspaper in New York City, another in Hattiesburg and a statewide literary and arts quarterly, Mississippi Arts & Letters. Since moving to Olympia with his wife Gabi in 1988, Clayton has written and edited for The News Tribune, OLY ARTS and the Weekly Volcano, and he's published eight novels and a book of art criticism.

Melissa Thayer was born during a volcanic eruption and says she's been causing problems ever since. She grew up in Montana and has lived and traveled all over the world. She now resides on the edge of Puget Sound with her husband, child and three cats. She likes to write about people and to connect readers with her characters. Her first novel, The Stories We Don't Tell, was published by Booktrope in 2014.

Harlan Zinck will host the evening and is an active, enthusiastic supporter of theater companies and other arts organizations throughout the Puget Sound region.

A selection of actors, critical and popular favorites all, will perform readings during the second act of the evening: Luke Amundson (The Sluts of Sutton Drive), Gretchen Boyt (The Miracle Worker), Katelyn Hoffman (The Last Night of Ballyhoo), Kait Mahoney (Arcadia), Gabriel McClelland (The Weir), Jed Slaughter (The Underpants).