Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) is the recipient of a Project Support Grant from Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) for its 2022-2023 National Touring Season.
The award is a matching-funds Project Support Grant in the amount of $18,000, which will be used for this year’s National Touring Season featuring concerts and performances from artists throughout Michigan and across the country. The 2022-2023 National Touring Season features a Three Men and a Tenor; classically trained pianist Barron Ryan presenting When Class Meets Cool; The TCA Comedy Show featuring Steve Smargon, Khurum Sheikh, Bob Phillips, and Mike Green; a family friendly act showcasing the talents of Fantastick Patrick (juggler, fire, swords, and yo-yo act); The Moxie Strings; and wrapping up the season with Drew & Kin featuring Danny K. This year marks the 42nd season for Tecumseh Center for the Arts. Tickets are on sale now through the TCA website at www.TheTCA.org and the TCA Box Office by calling 517-423-6617. “Each season, we strive to bring a wide variety of shows and cultural events to the Tecumseh community and Greater Lenawee County area,” stated TCA Director Kelly Jo Gilmore. “The grant award gives us the financial support to put on the best shows possible while keeping ticket prices low – making the performing arts accessible to families in our area.” Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) is the State of Michigan’s lead agency charged with developing arts and cultural policy and grant-making in the State of Michigan. Since 1966 with the creation of the Michigan Council for Arts, the State of Michigan has recognized the value and importance of a vibrant arts and cultural sector. This past Friday on September 16, 2022, MACC approved over $12 million in FY23 arts and culture funding to over 600 organizations and projects across Michigan! View the full list of awardees using these links: List by program: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/.../fy23-funding-plan... List by county: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/.../fy23-funding-plan...
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Tecumseh Center for the Arts, in collaboration with The Tecumseh Players and the TCA Big Band and VocalAires, is holding auditions for its production of the WTCA Radio Show A Christmas Carol. Back by popular demand, this show harkens back to the days of the Golden Age of Radio, with great swing-era music, drama, comedy, sound effects, and commercials, all performed live onstage in front of an audience.
Based on radio shows of the 1940’s, performers will tell Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Roles for the drama, A Christmas Carol, show announcer, live commercials and “news of the day” performers, as well as background performers and sound effects artists offer plenty of opportunities to participate. You do not have to be a current member of the Tecumseh Players to audition, and as an added bonus, the nature of “radio shows” means that there is no need to memorize anything. No experience necessary! Auditions for the WTCA Radio Show will be held Sunday, October 2, 2022, from 3-5 p.m. in the Tecumseh Center for the Arts’ rehearsal room, 400 N. Maumee St, Tecumseh, Michigan. The rehearsal room is located at the southeast corner of the building. Pre-registration is encouraged by going to www.theTCA.org and clicking on the box office tab. Registration can also be completed the day of auditions. Dates for the WTCA Radio Show performances are December 10th & 11th, with rehearsals TBA. Director of the show is Joyce Lancaster, and TCA Big Band & VocalAires’ Director Mark Felder is Music Director. If would like more information, please contact [email protected]. Come be part of this great collaboration between the TCA, The Tecumseh Players, and the TCA Big Band & VocalAires, and take advantage of a truly unique opportunity to perform in a 1940’s style radio show. See you Sunday, October 2nd! This year’s WTCA Radio Show is sponsored in part by Vision Performance Group, Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, Bob Fox – Howard Hanna, Carpet on Wheels, and WLEN 103.9 FM. Open Mic Night is scheduled for Saturday, September 17 at 7:00 PM at Tecumseh Center for the Arts. The event is building momentum as local musicians, singers, dancers, thespians, and comedians set their sights on the TCA stage. Local talent can still register for this year's event. You have until Friday, September 9 to grab your spot in the Open Mic Night line-up. Talent can include anything that uses a microphone from vocalists, smaller 2-3 member bands, and musicians to slam poets, comedians, storytellers, dancers, and more! If interested in performing, simply contact Tecumseh Center for the Arts by emailing [email protected].
Now that you’re signed up to perform, invite all your family and friends to come out and support you! A crowd favorite will be voted on during the show with a $100 prize being awarded to this year’s winner. Remember there is no entrance fee for performers. Tickets are just $12 and can be purchased online, in person, or over the phone. The TCA lobby lounge will open at 6:00 pm with light snacks and cash bar available. Special thank you to this year’s sponsors including Vision Performance Group, Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, Robert Fox from Howard Hanna, Carpet on Wheels and Pest Patrol. For more information, or to purchase your tickets, visit www.TheTCA.org or call 517-423-6617, Tuesdays-Fridays between noon and 5 pm. Tecumseh Center for the Arts Announces 42nd Season
Tecumseh, Michigan – Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) announces its 2022-2023 National Touring Season featuring six shows taking place October 2022 - April 2023. Patrons can purchase season tickets for this year’s lineup beginning Wednesday, August 31. 10/22/2022 — THREE MEN AND A TENOR | 7:30 PM Great pop vocal music, quick-witted humor, and overall likeability make THE THREE MEN and a TENOR SHOW a unique musical experience for audiences that cannot be matched. The group has a national touring schedule and has opened shows for entertainment legends like Jay Leno and The Beach Boys; performed the national anthem to start the NASCAR FireKeepers 400, and had a national PBS-TV special ("Three Men and a Tenor- In Concert") that was shown from Los Angeles to Nashville. 11/05/2022 — BARRON RYAN: CLASSIC MEETS COOL | 7:30 PM Barron Ryan’s love for music has always been divided. The son of two musicians, he grew up in a house filled with the sounds of artists ranging from Mozart to Michael Jackson. So when it comes to his own work, he combines them all into a musical adventure that’s vintage yet fresh, historical yet hip, classic yet cool. Since 4 years old, Barron seemed destined for a career in music. He excelled in performing throughout his middle and high school years in Tulsa, OK, then continued as a piano performance major at The University of Oklahoma. In 2019, Barron noticed a shocking lack of funk-, pop-, and country-inspired classical music. Realizing he could fill that void, he composed the “Magic City” Sonata and a dance suite called Suite Thing. As of 2021, Barron added ‘commissioned composer’ to his growing list of accolades. Commissioned by Chamber Music Tulsa to produce a work commemorating the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, he wrote a piece for piano trio entitled My Soul Is Full of Troubles. Smithsonian Magazine named Barron one of Ten Innovators to Watch in 2021. 01/21/2023 — TCA COMEDY SHOW | 7:30 PM TCA Comedy Show returns with another great roster of Michigan comedians. This year’s show includes local comedian Steve Smargon, Bi-polar Marine, as he takes the stage with three other Michigan comedians including Khurum Sheikh, Bob Phillips, and Mike Green. Khurum Sheikh is a 25-year veteran of the Ann Arbor Police Department who now does comedy all over the country. Originally from Pakistan, his comedy touches on current events from the hilariously unique perspective of a Pakistan Police Officer in the USA. Bob Phillips has been seen on the Fox stand-up comedy series “Laughs” and is heard daily on SiriusXM satellite radio’s Raw Dog Comedy, Laughs USA, the The Foxxhole, and Jeff & Larry’s Comedy Roundup. He is a contributing writer to the website “Funny or Die,” and is one half of the popular internet podcast, “The Sal & Bob Show.” Mike Green is quickly becoming one of the top and most requested National headliners. With original jokes and the knowledge to make it all look made up every time… his clever “clean comedy” and strong improv background, will take you on a “Comedy Vacation.” While developing his own show, he was lucky enough to work with such luminaries as Tim Allen, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Titus and Ellen DeGeneres. 02/18/2023 — FANTASTICK PATRICK | 4:00 PM Fantastick Patrick brings something fresh and exciting to the world of live entertainment with a show full of comedy and incredible tricks. The show is great for any age group that likes to have fun and is our family, friendly matinee performance for the season! You’ll be amazed as he performs fantastic tricks from juggling fire, swords, and balls to an awesome yo-yo act, plate-spinning, and free-balancing massive objects on his face! Patrick is an experienced entertainer with a ton of hilarity and crowd interaction. He keeps the audience fully engaged throughout the entire show, even the smallest of children are enraptured. Fantastick Patrick has performed at major corporate events with performances for: Facebook, Old Navy, Walmart, The Ritz-Carlton, Port of Los Angeles, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield, Pasadena Rose Bowl, and Dodger Stadium. 03/18/2023 — THE MOXIE STRINGS | 7:30 PM Hailed as “top-notch, instrumental wizardry,” The Moxie Strings offer listeners the unique opportunity to experience some of the world’s best-known instruments through an electric, innovative lens. Diana Ladio and Alison Lynn hold Bachelor of Music degrees in music performance and music education, which have given each the technical foundation to explore the limits of her instrument while building a reputation for musical excellence. Alison performs on a newly invented, electric cello, and Diana on a contemporary 5-string violin. The Moxie Strings compose most of their pieces and arrange melodies from many countries, resulting in a genre-blurring blend of ear-catching, mainstream melodies and foot-stomping, rock-influenced rhythms. The band’s polished, high-energy show continues to redefine strings’ role in contemporary music, and offers audience members a diverse, fun, musical experience. 04/22/2023 — DREW & KIN FEATURING DANNY K | 7:30 PM Fan favorites Drew and Kin (husband and wife dueling pianos stars) return to the TCA stage and this time they are bringing friends with them including singer and musician Danny K. This year’s show promises to bring the house down with their high energy, all request musical show combined with original music. Drew De Four grew up in Michigan and attended U of M where he studied Music and Theater. A Dueling Pianist for 20+ years with 2,000+ shows and 2,000+ songs in the repertoire, De Four has also written and produced 9 records available on all streaming services. More recently, Drew has worked in Film and TV, writing and producing music videos (available on YouTube), TV Pilots, and his first feature film: DUELERS, to be released in 2022. “Kin” (aka Colleen) grew up in Ohio and studied Vocal Performance and Music Education at Eastern Michigan University. She taught vocal music for ten years to students K-12 while also releasing a few records in that time. For the last 10 years, she has been performing Dueling Pianos and her own music all around the world with her husband. Daniel "Danny K" Korzelius grew up in wintry Buffalo, NY, and attended the University of Buffalo for a BFA in Musical Theater. As soon as he graduated, he realized some places were sunny all year. He quickly moved to Wilmington, NC, where a buddy had convinced him to try dueling pianos. He had no idea that 15 years and dozens of clubs later, he would still be doing it. Danny aspires to be as well rounded a performer as possible. He likes to bring his theater background to the show, with impersonations of everyone from Louie Armstrong to Kermit to Joe Cocker. You don’t want to miss this musical celebration as we sing along, clap along, and dance the night away Drew, Kin and Danny K! Season Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 31. New this year, season ticket holders can purchase all six shows at a discounted price, or pick 5, or just 4 shows. You can also purchase Season Tickets at an adult price or senior/youth price. All Season Ticket sales are final and non-refundable. Come out and experience the excitement of a live performance at your local theater! To order your season subscription, call us at 517-423-6617 or visit the TCA online at www.TheTCA.org beginning August 31! Why Support the TCA?
We believe Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) plays a vital role in making our city a great place to live. Only through the generosity of individuals and businesses like yours is the TCA able to provide great entertainment to thousands of patrons a year, a home to numerous local arts groups and professional support of their presentations, as well as provide a key service to our Public Schools as a high-class venue. As a Business Sponsor, we share our advertising reach with you! Patrons see TCA content on our website, social media, posters, playbills, and more! As a sponsor of the TCA, your business content will also be shared, reaching individuals in our community as well as out of state. How Can I Be Involved? Sponsor the TCA at one of the following levels: Producer's Chair | $3,000+ CLAIMED - NO LONGER AVAILABLE Director’s Circle | $2,000+ CLAIMED - NO LONGER AVAILABLE Leading Player | $1,000+ Supporting Player | $600+ Ensemble Player | $350+ Cast Member | $200+ Friend of the TCA | $100+ How Will the Funds be Utilized? All of the financial support that the TCA receives helps us provide high quality entertainment to our patrons. It helps pay for the National Touring Acts that are booked as well as the upkeep of the building. It purchases ticket stock, stage lights, and cleaning supplies. It helps in the yearly maintenance of the building and upgrading of our systems. Every aspect of the theater is vital and your sponsorship ensures that we provide the community with not only entertainment, but also education and a home for local performers of every age. Become a TCA Sponsor! You can become a TCA Business Sponsor by completing the sponsorship packet and submitting it to [email protected]. For more information, contact TCA Director Gilmore. The Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation selected Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) as the recipient of three grant awards during their July board meeting.
The first is a $12,000 matching funds grant award in support of this year’s season that will feature six National Touring Shows from October 2022 – April 2023. This year’s season includes performances by Three Men and a Tenor, Barron Ryan, TCA Comedy Show, Fantastick Patrick, The Moxie Strings, and Drew and Kin featuring Danny K! The second matching funds award is for $2,500 and will fund the free Veterans Day concert on Friday, November 11. The event will feature guest speakers and a performance by the Dodworth Saxhorn Band. The Dodworth Saxhorn Band (DSB), headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is America's Premier 19th Century Brass Band and recreates the music and atmosphere of a 19th Century community brass band. The third matching funds grant award is for $20,000 for the creation of the TCA Music Park. The theater had previously received a $10,000 award from the Stubnitz Foundation for the park. The park is a collaboration between Tecumseh Center for the Arts, City of Tecumseh Parks and Recreation, and F & S Landscaping. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the “walk through the woods” as they encounter a large variety of sound sculptures from a harp to lily pad shaped cymbals. Musicians of all ages and skill levels will be able to create music surrounded by specifically designed landscaping that cohesively combines art, music, and nature. Construction for the Music Park will begin this fall. "Receiving even one grant from the Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation can make a significant impact on the theater and our programming each year – but when you receive three grant awards for three very different projects, you realize how incredible this local Foundation is for our community," stated TCA Director Kelly Jo Gilmore. "The Foundation’s ongoing support for the arts and music has greatly improved the quality of life for residents and we feel honored that they chose to support us in our programming and upcoming projects. We are incredibly grateful and beyond thrilled to partner with the Foundation for all three projects this season.” Confident that music and the performing arts positively enhance people’s lives, the Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation seeks to enrich the Lenawee County region’s cultural life through its support of, education in, performance of and appreciation for the performing arts. The foundation’s primary focus is on music and performing arts programs that benefit the Lenawee County community and/or students in the County’s primary and secondary education programs (including post-secondary scholarships in music and performing arts). The TCA Music Fest returns to Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) this summer. The two-day, outdoor music festival or TCA Music Fest will take place Friday, August 19 from 5 pm until 10 pm and Saturday, August 20 from 3 pm until 10 pm. Sponsored by Vision Performance Group, Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, Robert Fox – Howard Hanna and Kirchhoff Automotive, the event features a professional, outdoor stage on the TCA property. Tickets are just $10 for the day or $15 for the weekend. Patrons will receive a wristband to wear as they come and go throughout the event. The TCA Music Fest features musicians and bands from NW Ohio and SE Michigan including:
Friday, August 19
Saturday, August 20
Summertime is a wonderful opportunity at Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) to regroup and prepare for the upcoming season of shows. From the local and regional performances and events we host, to the national touring shows, audiences far and wide have only to purchase a ticket to participate. But have you ever wondered what was involved behind the scenes?
For over 40 years, the TCA has been a place of education, both onstage and behind the scenes. Our staff has taught students (and adults too) the craft of live performance and the various aspects of bringing a show to life. To that end, we created the Student Technical Corps. Though informal at first, TCA’s Student Tech Corps program has always been a part of who we are. The Corps, which is in its fourth decade, has seen more than 140 students participate. Each season, we employ 4-6 high school-college aged students to provide tech services for every show that is put onstage. They receive hands-on training with the lighting control board and lighting instruments, the sound control board and audio equipment, as well as the backstage crew positions. New “techies” also job-shadow older tech students and adult staff to gain more experience, and most are assigned to run the lighting or sound board for a basic show within a short period of time. From something as “simple” as a movie or business meeting requiring one or two people, to the more complicated shows when we need 8-10 theater technicians to bring our shows to life. Through the TCA’s tech program, students have worked with community members on local and regional productions, such as Tecumseh Youth Theatre, Tecumseh Pops Orchestra and Community Chorus, TCA Big Band & VocalAires, Tecumseh Players, and Tecumseh Public Schools’ events; but also the opportunity to learn about the world of live professional productions, working with a wonderfully diverse group of artists including Davy Jones, The Irish Rovers, Feld Ballet NY, The Acting Company, The National Theatre of the Deaf, Lightwire Theater, Second City, Capitol Steps, Broadway and film star Franc D’Ambrosio, The Toledo Symphony, Rhythm of the Dance, and Le Cirque Espirit! For most of our student techs, this introduction and training into the world of live performance is the first “real” job. We are honored to have been the starting point for many students who continued using their skills beyond high school, and for several that have entered careers in the industry. Former students have worked across the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and East Asia, with such companies as Disney on Ice, ETC Lighting Controls (who provided lighting expertise for events like the Olympics in Vancouver and London), Washington, DC’s Shakespeare Theatre Company, Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, Michigan State University, The University of Michigan, Bowling Green University, Cobo Hall, Comerica Park, and many, many more. All had their start at Tecumseh Center for the Arts and are making a living in the entertainment industry today. Regardless of their future careers, Student Tech Corps members learn teamwork, discipline, cooperation, and focus - all important qualities that will last a lifetime. Currently, Tecumseh Center for the Arts is looking to grow our Student Tech Corps program for the 2022-2023 season. We are looking for high school and college age students (ages 14-22 years) who are interested in learning about the technical side of theater. If you know a student who is interested, or you are an interested student, apply online! All applications must be submitted by August 1 to be considered for this upcoming season. Another season has come to an end for Tecumseh Center for the Arts!
The theater’s 41st season was one of our more challenging seasons to date and we could not have accomplished it without the support of the Tecumseh community. It was our first season back from the pandemic and we spent nearly six months in a hybrid model with various restrictions still in place while trying to move forward with our season. I want to personally thank staff, volunteers, and ushers who worked tirelessly to bring the performing arts and live music back to our community this past year. I also want to thank local businesses that supported us once again by sponsoring shows, donating services, and helping us financially. (You can find a full list of sponsors, here.). Of course, we couldn’t have accomplished this season without the financial support of foundations like Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation and Michigan Arts and Culture Council It truly is a collaborative effort that has kept our programming going over the past few years. Thank you to the City of Tecumseh, local elected officials, performers, patrons, donors, and artists for continuing to celebrate the arts during a very challenging time and making it a vital part of the Tecumseh community. We are already planning our 42nd season and hope you will join us when we kick off another season with our outdoor music festival on August 19-20. Stay tuned for more information and follow us online at www.TheTCA.org (or on our Facebook page) as we prepare for another season at Tecumseh Center for the Arts! Sincerely, Kelly Jo Gilmore TCA Director Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) is wrapping up its 41st season this month. The theater only has a few events remaining including dance recitals with local studios, a movie premiere, and Fireside Stories.
The last indoor event will take place on Friday, June 17, and is a fundraiser for Tecumseh Center for the Arts. The theater is welcoming popular dueling piano artists Drew and Kin back to Tecumseh, as we premiere their movie on the TCA big screen. The movie was filmed on the TCA stage last November and is an immersive, cinematic experience highlighting the adversity that many artists faced during the pandemic when the entertainment industry came to a screeching halt. After two years, theaters are open once again and moving forward with “normal” seasons, with performers returning to our stages. Musicians and artists Drew DeFour and Kin Curran wanted to produce a movie that reflected the struggles of empty theaters while also staying positive for their fans and producing uplifting songs to help us all get through those challenging times. “Drew and Kin – Alive in Tecumseh” does just that. On Friday, June 17, community members can see the movie on the TCA big screen before we take it off the theater’s streaming platform and submit it to independent film festivals. In addition to the movie, Drew and Kin themselves will be present to answer questions; plus we’ll roll out the baby grand piano and guests might be lucky enough to hear a few live songs as well. Tickets for this event are by donation, which means you can pay as little or as much as you want – with a starting price of $1. All ticket sales will support the TCA. Since it is the last event of the regular season, the TCA Tavern (beer and wine) and concessions will also be available (cash only). Don’t miss your chance to relax in the air conditioning and enjoy this unique movie experience on Friday, June 17, starting at 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheTCA.org, through the Box Office by calling 517-423-6617, or at the door on June 17. Photo Credit: Andrew Potter andrewpotterphoto.com |