As sent to our fan page on Facebook.

Dear Friends

Allow me to first thank you all for the exuberant flood of support we have received from you and the local community regarding our project. It has been a truly heady and rewarding experience to watch this project explode from a crazy idea on a message board into a serious concept for a sustainable artistic resource for the Antelope Valley.

Our first production, “Voices,” was a big success, and we have been busy exploring and acting on our options since. As we grow, it is my goal to keep our community involved and engaged with this project. We are not just another theatre group – we are a grassroots movement of actors, techies, writers, and devotees of the austere, high-brow art (cough) of garage theatre.

Happening soon – AVT is auditioning for all roles in “Crime and Punishment”; you must schedule an appointment on August 15th with the Production Stage Manager. Also, prepare for a wholly unique experience with our Original Short-Play Expo, coming in October!.

Now that we have finally obtained the appropriate performance licenses, it is with great pleasure that I can today unveil to you our 2010 Season – a full year of three thought-provoking dramas on the theme of Law and Society.

We begin in January with Crime and Punishment.  The classic novel has been here distilled into a 90-minute psychological thriller on the nature of right and wrong, and the redemptive power of faith.

In June, we present Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, a clash of wills and morality between two lawyers with very different views on the nature of justice. Their conflicts, legal and personal, probe the nature of our criminal justice system and the dichotomy between logic and compassion.

Lastly, in September, we will retell the story of The Interrogation of Nathan Hale, a rifleman and spy for the American Revolution, captured and executed by the British almost exactly 233 years before our opening night. What is freedom? What is courage? What is the value of a life? This is a play that seeks to understand the values of our nation—their flaws, as well as their wondrous virtues.

Each of these productions will receive a three-show run. To help meet the costs of bringing these very technically involved, full-length productions to the local community, we will begin charging a nominal ticket price for admission to all shows in the 2010 Season: $7 general and $5 youth (age 12 or younger).

Beyond the excitement of our very first season, I am also pleased to report that we are well on the way to acquiring our business license and 501.(c)(3) non-profit status… which of course means that any donation or in-kind support from individuals or businesses will soon be tax deductable!

No amount is too small – but for those who donate $65 or more, we would like to show our appreciation by designating them as Patrons of AVT. Members of our valued Patrons Club will receive:

• Three first-priority-seating ticket credits, usable for any show in the 2010 Season.
• An invitation to our annual Patron’s Reception
• Recognition in the playbill and prior to each performance.
• Discounts and benefits at local businesses by showing your AVT Patron Card. (under negotiation, please see our website for the most up-to-date list)

In appreciation for their early support of AVT, all those who donated to support “Crime and Punishment” at the receptions we held after “Voices” will be grandfathered in to the new Patronage system, regardless of the amount they donated. Unfortunately, since these donations occurred before when we will be officially a non-profit, they cannot be considered tax-deductible; for this, we apologize. To ensure that all future donations are tax-deductible for you, we will gladly take pledges, but will not actually accept any donation until we receive our official 501.(c)(3) status.

Whew, ok, I’ll stop there… but you can find plenty of information, blog posts, podcasts, and any new business sponsors we acquire at our website! Thank you again for your support, and do not hesitate to use your direct line to the Producer (nalin@avthespians.org) with any feedback, ideas, complaints, or suggestions.

Regards,
Nalin A. Ratnayake
Producer and Artistic Director