Exciting News!

Thank you to everyone who came to see Reefer Madness. It was just such an amazing experience from the first day to the last, and it was wonderful to see the support from the Santa Barbara community in the form of SOLD OUT signs on the box office window. You're all wonderful-fabulous-super-spectacular. It's been awhile, I know, but Out of the Box Theatre has some news!

NUMBER ONE: Be sure to check out our brand-spanking-new OFFICIAL website!

HTTP://WWW.OUTOFTHEBOXTHEATRE.ORG

NUMBER TWO: Our next production is already in the works! To raise some money for a second "mainstage" production in October 2010, we'll be doing a song cycle/concert called PARTY WORTH CRASHING (music by Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk.) Performances will be at the end of August, more info TBD.

PARTY WORTH CRASHING is about youth, coming of age and making big decisions. It’s about laughing at yourself and figuring things out on your own, failed relationships, getting married, picking up strangers in bars, feeling old at twenty-five, hating your job, and making Thanksgiving dinner for the first time. Above all else, PARTY WORTH CRASHING honors the twenty-something generation who challenge themselves to actively live their own lives, rather than just sit on their futons playing Wii. With the freedom to do anything comes the responsibility to do something.

Words cannot do these composers justice... so watch a couple of videos.

AUDITION INFORMATION COMING SOON!

Reefer Madness Impromptu Performance

The cast decided to get together for an impromptu performance in the center of Paseo Nuevo mall and the result was nothing less than spectacular. Fun was had by all... except for maybe the family that quickly packed up and moved from their table when John the Zombie gave them a quick hello before the camera started rolling. Did you see a zombie at Sephora? Barnes and Noble? Nordstrom? If not, enjoy the video!

Buy Your Tickets Now

Buy your tickets now to see the final product of months of preparation...

Reefer Madness, the 'Hit' Musical.

April 7-11th, 2010 at Center Stage Theater

DISCO ORGY!
HALF-MAN/HALF-GOAT!
SHAKESPEARE!
SADISM!
SWING DANCING!
BROWNIES!
PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT!
ZOMBIES!
AND JESUS!

Seriously. You don't want to miss this.


WAYS TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS:
1. Call the box-office at (805) 963-0408.
2. Visit the box-office at Center Stage Theater, on top of CPK in Paseo Nuevo.
3. Go to http://centerstagetheater.tix.com/ and scroll on down.
WARNING: May cause giggling... for no good reason.

Meet the Madness!- Geren Piltz

quick questions

(transcribed)

role in the production?
jack stone/jesus/george washington
personal theme song?
theme from "back to the future" - alan silvestri
special skills?
barbershop harmony, voiceover, juggling, radio production
if you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be?
after marveling the sweet concept of having a time machine, then worrying about creating a paradox, i'd go see the premiere of the music man.
last book you read?
state of fear - michael crichton
must see t.v. show?
burn notice - "when you're a spy..."
favorite line from the show?
"y'like brownies?"
winter, spring, summer, or fall?
fall, it's the closest thing to a season in santa barbara
favorite cereal?
puffins! (barbara's)
if you were stranded on an island, what three things would you want with you?
just 1 item: waterproof, solar-powered satellite phone. too literal? okay.
1) wind in the willows by kenneth grahame
2) little shop of horrors soundtrack + player
3) the truman show dvd + player

Meet the Madness!- Lauren Kivowitz

quick questions

(transcribed)

role in the production?
sally
personal theme song?
hakuna matata
special skills?
piano, accents, baking, (bad) puns, tripping
if you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be?
the original cast of guys & dolls
last book you read?
the year of living biblically by aj. jacobs
must see t.v. show?
the twilight zone! (the original, obviously)
favorite line from the show?
"she fell down!"
winter, spring, summer, or fall?
fall
favorite cereal?
reeses peanut butter puffs
if you were stranded on an island, what three things would you want with you?
my mom, ipod, some kind of electronic book device with a bunch of books on it

Auditions and Rehearsals- Week 1

Well. The auditioning process was grueling to say the least, but it was definitely a learning experience. After having posted audition notices in Backstage West and Actors' Access, an influx of out-of-work Los Angeles actors flooded our emails with headshots and resumes... and then, mysteriously enough, not one of them decided to show up for their audition appointment. Despite the scheduling nightmare (and the fact that throughout auditions, Kindermusik was having a party in the hall... balloons, streamers, whistles, the works) the loyal residents of Santa Barbara came through in the end. Let me just say, it could NOT have worked out any better. The group works so well together, the chemistry is just amazing. Everyone seems to be dedicated to the same cause- providing Santa Barbara with more contemporary theatre and having a fantastic time in the process.

A hearty thank you is due to The Anacapa School and the Santa Barbara Arthritis Foundation for letting us use their facilities to rehearse in the evenings. The read-throughs have been mind-blowing, but seeing everyone stand up to run the first three scenes on Friday was beyond exciting. And so, the first week of rehearsals is over and done with and we're *knock on wood* right on schedule.

Coming soon... MEET THE MADNESS!

Auditions

HARRY J. ANSLINGER WANTS YOU...
TO AUDITION FOR REEFER MADNESS!

AUDITION DATES:
Saturday, February 6th
1pm-6pm

Sunday, February 7th
1pm-6pm

LOCATION:
Santa Barbara Dance Arts
1 N. Calle Cesar Chavez Ste. 100
Santa Barbara, CA 93103

SEEKING:
Actors (18+) to portray the following characters...

[Jimmy Harper] A wholesome, innocent, high school teenager who runs into trouble after he is lured into the dangerous world of reefer. Must move well.
[Lecturer] A severe authority figure who warns the audience of the perils of Reefer Madness. (Doubles as Goat-Man, Mr. Poppy, Irish Priest, Old Man, Radio Announcer, Ticket-Taker, Policeman, FDR.)
[Jack Stone] The handsome and ruthless proprietor of the Reefer Den, a 30's gangster movie-type. Strong physical presence a plus. Must move well. (Doubles as Jesus, George Washington.)
[Mae] An attractive, yet slightly haggard dame in her mid-30s, the hostess of the Reefer Den.
[Ralph Wiley] A denizen of the Reefer Den, formally a fraternity man, his college days ended long ago due to his reefer habit. (Doubles as Sally's Baby, Switch-Puller, Uncle Sam.)
[Sally] A sexy and seductive resident of the Reefer Den, she possesses the libidinous soul of Mae West combined with the rat-a-tat moxie of vintage Barbara Stanwyck. Must move well. (Doubles as Lady Liberty.)
[Placard Girl] Throughout the play she reinforces the warnings of the Lecturer by holding large signs that clearly state the moral of what we've just seen. (Doubles as Five-and-Dime Kid, Police Officer.)
[Ensemble] Mixed gender group to represent Reefer Zombies, Kids at the Five-and-Dime, Jungle Orgy dancers, Angels, and patriotic background chorus in the Star-Spangled finale. Heavy dancing required.
PREPARATION:
Brief monologue (1-2 minutes)
16-32 bars of a contemporary musical theatre piece or appropriately themed selection.Bring sheet music; accompanist will be provided.
Bring headshot/picture and resume, stapled together.

APPOINTMENTS:
For an appointment, email pix & resume to Sara Rademacher at reefercasting@hotmail.com.

First Production Meeting (and Cupcakes!)

It's always a gamble when a group of people with their own individual goals and ideas meet up together for the first time, but I really couldn't be more pleased with the results of our first production team meeting. We 'awwwed' over Sara's adorable dog, discussed costumes, props, music, set design, rehearsal scheduling, and... drumroll please... audition dates! They are now officially set for February 6th and 7th, 2010. Expect more information soon!

In the meantime, enjoy a picture from our meeting: two dozen Chocolate Matcha mini-cupcakes, courtesy of Violette Bakeshop. They'll be providing treats at the concession stand during the performance run, so just another reason to stop by!

Production Team and Postcards

Well, many interviews and tough choices later, we finally have an established production team!
Director: Sara Rademacher
Music Director: Laura Hemenway
Choreographer: Angela Carty
Stage Manager: Kody Molitor

It's fantastic to have everything set and cemented. On Friday, we took a look around the theater to take some measurements of the stage and become acquainted with the space that will be housing our production come April... it's hard not to get excited, even with so much left to do. Our postcards have also come in, so it's only a matter of time before you'll start seeing those in circulation.