One year ago, on June 20th, 2009, a small group of friends calling themselves “Antelope Valley Thespians” opened a short, public-domain production called VOICES. Back then, the garage was not black, we had no official status, and we operated with minimal organization. But after two “sold out” free showings for our friends, we got all the encouragement we needed to continue and expand.

You can indulge in a bit of nostalgia in the archived blog post for VOICES or at the VOICES photo album on Facebook.

Today, it is one year later. And crafted out of love, sweat, tears, duct tape, and a rather alarming volume of coffee, a small guerilla theatre company fights the good fight in our local community of Quartz Hill – so much further beyond where we were yet with a dazzling array of possibilities before us.

AVT has many “birthdays”… is it when the first fragments of the idea started to take form on an online discussion board in January 2009? Or this day in June when we first put something together? Or August when we legally formed as a company? Or perhaps later when we achieved nonprofit status, or early this year when we opened our first full-length production?

Any of these days may serve for reflecting on how far we have come on this crazy idea. But today, for me, is the one from which I take the most personal meaning. On this day one year ago, we proved to ourselves that it was possible – that we could take the simplest elements and the smallest of budgets, and combine them with talent and passion to create something meaningful for the community.

Like any creative venture, AVT has been and always will be continually in the process of becoming. We have undergone 3 major revisions to our Operational Plan, and you will soon see another released for your consideration. The learning curve has been steep as we have built this company from the ground up – we have had to learn many lessons the hard way, and also develop an understanding of our strengths and weaknesses as members of a team. I believe this latest revision should last us a good while, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

I also want to be sure to acknowledge the role our Patrons have played in helping us build this company.

After seeing VOICES, Jeri Meyers and Dawn Dopler became our very first Patrons on the spot, donating our first income of any sort. After we incorporated and sent a letter asking the Quartz Hill Chamber of Commerce for their support, Thom Lapworth stepped in and personally paid for our first year’s membership in the Chamber, the benefits of which we continue to enjoy. Jason and Rose Gonella participated in our first playwrights expo and donated in-kind hardware in the form of a fog machine and fluid, which our tech team is itching to get an excuse to use.

As funds ran dangerously low in the face of numerous unexpected expenses for CRIME AND PUNISHMENT, Senaka and Lalani Ratnayake stepped in with a generous donation that kept us afloat. Michael and Deberah Hogan, impressed with our first full-length production, became Patrons of AVT to support our fledgling theatre company. Farmer’s Insurance agent Dave Owens not only has provided AVT’s liability insurance at a killer rate, but he donated his entire commission on the contract and personally bought-out a show of our first two full-length productions!

Gwen and Andy Joseph as well as Bob and Lois Douglass stepped in with donations when AVT needed equipment upgrades to support BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT as well as our first Musicians Night. Al Bowers joined the Patrons club following a great time at the Musicians Night, which actually ended with him being called up to the stage for an impromptu rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” with featured musician and mutual friend Jimmy Lee Young!

Starting with BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, we have been privileged to benefit from the support of local fine-artist AJ Currado, who now donates her time and talents to AVT for poster and program artwork. Our latest individual patrons, Mark and Liz Longanbach, drove in all the way from Arizona to see BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. Convinced of our value to community theatre and impressed by our ingenuity, they signed checks of support the very next day.

Finally, I would be seriously remiss if I did not acknowledge the early and unwavering support of Eric and June at Sagebrush Cafe in Quartz Hill. Since the days when AVT was nothing but a concept, this eclectic coffee and art house has believed in us. More than that, they give us a great deal one of the most critical and precious resources for a theatre company: delicious coffee. AND they provide a hub for our advertising and, more recently, our physical ticketing.

And of course, each and every member of this company deserves more thanks than I can bestow for their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts on behalf of AVT. Sarah, Anna, Karen, Jeremy, Kevin, Jessica, Juliana, Courtney, Kara, Lucas, and our additional actors Steve, Joe, and Derric have comprised the AVT family.

Ticket revenue brings in only about 65% of what it takes to operate AVT; it is people like you who are the champions of the arts in our community, and donate your time and money to help this company do what it does. In appreciation for your support, we are tentatively planning to hold our first AVT Patron’s Reception in early December. Company members and Patrons will be invited to mingle and recap the 2010 Season with this celebration.

It is a rough road ahead of us… money remains tight, most people who have not seen our work remain skeptical, we continue to insist on producing very challenging plays that inevitably turn into trials by fire, and often its not certain how we will make it to the next event or production. But time and time again, even in our most difficult moments, we have shown that our passion, when rallied, is unstoppable – even in the face of daunting odds.

We would not be where we are today without all of you. It is with utmost sincerity and deep pride in what we have accomplished in the last year that I offer you my thanks for stepping forward to become a real part of what we have created together.

Here’s to our next year of unique, original, and experimental theatre in the high desert!

N.

–
Nalin A. Ratnayake
Chief Executive Officer
Producing Director
Antelope Valley Thespians

AVT's costume designer, Anna Delrosario, during tech rehearsal for her recent role as the spirit of Jeanne d'Arc.

I had the wonderful opportunity yesterday to sit down with Anna Delrosario, costumer designer for AVT and co-star of our first production.   Our conversation ranged from her experiences with the start of the project and her role as the spirit of Jeanne d’Arc in “Voices” to what’s coming up in the costume department for “Crime and Punishment” and the rest of our 2010 Season.

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This podcast was recorded at Best of Europe Deli, on the corner of 50th St West and Avenue M in Quartz Hill.  A genuine local establishment, this family-owned importer of European meats, preserves, teas, coffee, and eclectic soft drinks has been in business for 10 years!  Stop by for their excellent sandwiches, fine imported goods, and friendly atmosphere.

AVT is on an ongoing mission to post spontaneous interviews with cast, crew, fans, and innocent bystanders.  So here is the second in our series of (what I hope are) interesting podcasts, focused on personal experiences with the project.

Want to hear more?  View all posts with embedded podcasts, or search for “Antelope Valley Thespians” on the iTunes podcast directory to subscribe for automatic updates.  Enjoy!

http://avthespians.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=607

Actresses Anna Delrosario (left) and Sarah Bialobroda in the midst of a scene.

Some closing thoughts from “Voices”, for posterity.  You can download the playbill if you’d like, in case you missed the show or forgot to take yours!

Both shows went very well, and I was extremely pleased with how everything came together.  At the receptions following the shows, we received many compliments, a few pledges of support, and general incredulity that anyone was able to produce a play in a garage of all places.  GO TEAM!

As of this point, finances are as follows:
Infrastructure: $910.53
Operations: $318.63
Production: $102.38
Patronage, Donations, and In-kind Support:  -$95.00
NET: $1236.54

I expect future productions to be less expensive overall due to (hopefully) increased and continuing patronage, as well as the fact that infrastructure costs have probably leveled off for the most part.  The plus side is, we now have a 9-piece lighting system and a very nice curtain setup!  Thanks to Courtney for the loan of all the sound equipment.

We have two patrons, who wish to remain anonymous, that have actually given money to us (thank you!), plus several more who have pledged their support in the near future.  There seem to be a couple local businesses at least interested in what we are doing, but I have yet to talk to them directly about partnerships.  Also, we now have three playwrights in various stages of tentativeness thinking about writing scripts we could potentially produce.  Not bad for a startup!

Wow, what a heady experience… may the garage theatre live long and prosper!  The production team will be taking a couple of weeks off for some well-deserved rest, and then we will be getting to work on the planning for our next production (look for a post soon).

Meanwhile, here are some photos and some playbill text from “Voices”:

Anna Delrosario, as the spirit of Jeanne d'Arc.

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“Voices”, by Hortense Flexner.

Yvonne, a young peasant girl, fears for her small town of Domremy, France, ravaged  by the shelling of World War I.  She stops to pray at the ancient church sacred to Jeanne D’Arc, a ruined basilica in the woods near her village.

This sacred ground, believed for centuries to be infused with the spirit of Jeanne d’Arc, is known for being the place where Jeanne first heard the voices from Heaven.

Yvonne speaks, and a Voice responds… we are offered a glimpse of  her county’s past, and learn of the power of the spirit to overcome life’s worst horrors.

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Shows are:
Saturday, June 20th, 7:00pm
Sunday, June 21st, 7:00pm
Running time is approximately one-half hour.

Sarah Bialobroda, as Yvonne the young peasant girl.

Tickets are FREE.

Prior reservation is REQUIRED.

Please RSVP to productions@avthespians.org with a firm head count. Your seats are not reserved until you receive a response email confirming that we can accommodate your party. Due to the small nature of our theater (27 seats), please do not reserve seats that are not definitely going to be filled.

Theater location is on the west side, near 65th W and Avenue L. Address and parking information will be sent out to all confirmed guests.

Reception to follow.

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Starring:
Sarah Bialobroda
Anna Delrosario

Yvonne and the spirit of Jeanne d'Arc before the church.

Producer & Artistic Director — Nalin A. Ratnayake
Production Stage Manager — Courtney Marietta
Technical Director — Jeremy Gruca
Scenic Design — Lucas Nemeth
Lighting Design — Jessica Katzman
Sound Design — Juliana Katzman
Costume & Properties — Anna Delrosario

This weekend will be proof of concept.  Proof that yes, in a small space not designed for the purpose and with common materials, we can indeed display fine acting, creative scenic design, innovative light and sound, and stunning costumes.  Proof that we can indeed make art in a garage.  Proof that in some things, beauty really does lie in essential simplicity.  Thanks to many hours put in by a very dedicated team, we are READY.

This the phase that is nailbiting for a director… one has already let go of the wheel, and now paces the deck nervously, waiting to see where the ship will sail.  Yet with this team, I know I need not worry; “Voices” is in good hands.  So I will just pour myself another glass of Merlot, and revel in it!

Playbills printed, still need to fold them.  Next show flyer and patronage solicitation printed.  All seats laid out and theatre space swept. Just some cleaning of the downstairs area and setting up for the reception, and my list is done.

Thanks to AV Press staff writer Julie Daniel for a wonderful article in today’s “Showcase” magazine!

We have one seat remaining for tomorrow’s show, and two left for Sunday at this time.

Ooof, exhausted… signing out for tonight. Though what’s the point?  I’m too excited to sleep despite my tiredness!

I feel a bit like I did when I was 9 months pregnant… Happy, excited, and completely and totally terrified!  This is really happening!

Everything looks awesome.  The show has completely come together — Anna and Sarah have really captured their characters, and the play is quite moving.  The set looks amazing (yay Lucas and Jeremy!), the costumes are great (go Anna), the music fits perfectly (hooray Jugi) and the lighting is beautiful (good work, Jess)!

Now all we have to do is put it all together.  Wow, that makes it sound so simple.  If only… We have our first tech rehearsal tomorrow night, and we’ll see how complex everything turns out to be then.  Fingers crossed everything works out.  Being completely untested technology, as it were, I’m expecting a few bumps in the road.  I’ll let y’all know how it goes.

Oh, and look for us in this week’s AV Press Showcase!

–Cam