Thank you, Memphis for a great first year! Come and join us for the First Anniversary Celebration of the new Playhouse on the Square on Tuesday, January 25th, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The free event open to the public will be held in the main lobby of the theatre and will feature a special toast to thank the community for its continued support of Memphis’ only resident professional theatre.

The journey to build a Midtown hub for the arts community began seven years ago. The facility at 66 S. Cooper opened officially on January 29th, 2010, made possible by the success of the theatre’s Breaking New Ground Capital Campaign. With the generous support of individuals and corporations as well as grants from the Jeniam Foundation, The Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Foundation and many other local organizations, the completion of the state-of-the-art multipurpose facility was the realization of a shared dream.

Circuit Playhouse, Inc. Founder and Executive Producer, Jackie Nichols, reflected on the theatre’s progress since the opening of the new venue. “One year later, we have seen tens of thousands of patrons come through our doors experiencing the excitement of great theatre, dance, music, and opera. Thanks to all who have helped make this happen.” Because of you, Playhouse on the Square can deliver on its mission to bring a challenging and diverse repertoire of theatrical work that speaks to the intelligence, the soul, and the imagination of the Memphis community in new and innovative ways.

The staff, board of directors and artists who make up Playhouse on the Square would love for you stop by, have a drink, take a tour if you have not already seen the facility, and help us celebrate our first successful year in the new space!

Event: First Anniversary Celebration of the New Playhouse on the Square
Date: Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
Time: 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Location: 66 S. Cooper, Main Lobby

Beginning with a CETA grant in 1979 to help found Show of Hands with Marc Martinez, Karin has overseen the institution and growth of many Theatre for Youth programs at Playhouse on the Square and The Circuit Playhouse. Programs include Summer Youth Conservatory, After School Acting Program, Theatre School, Teens in Theatre, Saturday Morning Matinee Series, and the Theatre For Youth Touring program. In all, Circuit Playhouse, Inc.’s educational and outreach programs reach nearly 30,000 children each year. Many have been directly influenced by Karen’s guidance, teaching, and love of the arts.

Click here to see the pictures from her surprise breakfast in the Memphian Room at Playhouse on the Square. Or click here to see them on Facebook.

And the winners are…

Set Design College: Craig Lewis
Set Design Community: Christopher McCollum, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Costume Design College: Janice Lacek, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Costume Design Community: Andre Bruce Ward, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Makeup and Wigs Community: Barbara Sanders, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Lighting Design College: Ken Friedhoff, Animal Farm
Lighting Design Community: Michael Compton and Chris Swanson, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Props Design College: Emily Wells, Animal Farm
Props Design Community: Robin Black, High School Musical 2
Set Dressing Community: Kerry Strahm, Crimes of the Heart
Sound Design College: Eric Sefton, How I Learned To Drive
Sound Design Community: David Newsome, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Musical Direction College: Mark Ensley, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Musical Direction Community: Dennis Whitehead, Jerry Springer – The Opera
Choreography College: Jay Rapp, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Choreography Community: Mitzi Hamilton and Kathy Caradine, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Sup. Actress Musical College: Shaheerah Farrakhan, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Sup. Actress Musical Community: Jude Knight, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Sup. Actor Musical College: Jason Hansen, Assassins
Sup. Actor Musical Community: Ken Zimmerman, The Producers
Sup. Actress Drama College: Katie Preston, How I Learned to Drive
Sup. Actress Drama Community: TIED Jo Lynne Palmer, Pride and Prejudice AND Sheana Tobey, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Sup. Actor Drama College: Matthew Crewse, Animal Farm
Sup. Actor Drama Community: Matt Reed, Seascape
Cameo College: Andrew Whaley, The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Cameo Community: Corey Cochran, A Year With Frog and Toad
Lead Actress Musical College: Kirie Walz, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Lead Actress Musical Community: Cheyenne Nelson, The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Lead Actor Musical College: Chris McCollum, Assassins
Lead Actor Musical Community: Kent Fleshman, The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Leading Actress Drama College: Shannon King, How I Learned to Drive
Leading Actress Drama Community: Sheana Tobey, And Baby Makes Seven
Leading Actor Drama College: TIED Greg Krosnes, How I Learned to Drive AND Reginald C. Brown, Animal Farm
Leading Actor Drama Community: Jerre Dye, Compleat Female Stage Beauty
Ensemble Acting College: Animal Farm
Ensemble Acting Community: Pride and Prejudice
Direction of a Musical College: Stephen Hancock, The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Direction of a Musical Community: Mitzi Hamilton, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Direction of a Drama College: Gloria Baxter, Animal Farm
Direction of a Drama Community: John Rone, Pride and Prejudice
Best Original Script: Rebecca Fisher, The Magnificence of the Disaster
Production of Original Script: The Magnificence of the Disaster
Musical Production College: The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Musical Production Community: Thoroughly Modern Millie
Dramatic Production College: Animal Farm
Dramatic Production Community: Pride and Prejudice
Behind the scenes award: Alvin Miller
Larry Riley Rising Star Award: Ken Friedhoff
Eugart Yerian Award: Dorothy Kirsch

Congratulations to all the winners!!

The weather held up and the groundbreaking ceremony was a huge success. Here is a selection of photos from the event. Click here to view.

We’ve set the groundbreaking date for the new home for Playhouse on the Square. Now all we need to make the show complete is for you to be there.

Here’s the basic dirt:

• 3-7pm
• Thursday, March 27, 2008
• Corner of Cooper and Union

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind dirt digging ceremony. And remember: If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a whole community to raise the curtain on a theatre. So please join us. The program will be short on ribbon cutting, speeches and plaques, and long on fun, surprises and snacks. Introducing the Groundbreaker, a chocolate martini created just for the event. 

Mark your calendar, let’s dig the scene together.