ABOUT US
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Midland Center for the Arts
1801 West Saint Andrews Road, Midland, MI 48640
One of the Great Lakes Bay Region’s premiere volunteer theatre organizations, Center Stage Theatre (formerly Theatre Guild and Music Society) stages performances in comedy, tragedy and musical drama. Onstage and behind-the-scenes opportunities abound for those who like to be part of the action. There are lots of educational and community outreach activities to get involved in, too!
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“I believe that in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, a great theater is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture.”
-Sir Laurence Olivier |
Center Stage Theatre attracts the area’s finest theatre talent to stage productions for tens of thousands of theatre-goers from all across the Great Lakes Bay Region. Center Stage Theatre is one of the most successful and exciting community theatre companies in the Midwest, and is proud to be a member of two organizations serving nonprofit amateur theatre: The American Association of Community Theatres, and Community Theatres of Michigan.
Recent performances include Singin’ in the Rain, Escanaba in da Moonlight, To Kill a Mockingbird, Urinetown, and Camelot.
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PEANUT GALLERY
Peanut Gallery is the youth theatre division of Center Stage Theatre. Each season Peanut Gallery offers youth productions featuring actors in fourth through eighth grades, and the "Interim Theatre" summer production for ages 13 through 21.
Recent performances include Wonderland!, There’s a Monster in my Closet, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Fine arts camps and university dramatic arts program scholarships are available for students who have been active participants in Peanut Gallery.
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OFF-CENTER STAGE
Off-Center Stage offers a variety of venues and opportunities for volunteers to change the course of live theatre and expand theatre arts offerings by producing reader's theatre, new plays, monologue theatre, stand-up comedy and cutting-edge pieces not included in the main season.
Recent performances include Bawdy Broadway Cabaret and a Tea and Poetry Soiree.
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GOLDEN GUILD – Reaching out to the community
The Golden Guild reader’s theatre outreach program is a traveling troupe of enthusiastic adult volunteers performing “old time” radio shows at local senior community centers, churches and senior living centers from October through May. Newcomers are welcome! For more information contact Amy.
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AUDITIONS – Calling all actors ….
Check out our upcoming auditions to discover your “role” in the fun! |
  
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FROM THE DIRECTOR
“Center Stage Theatre is fueled by the enthusiasm and vitality of countless volunteers and is one of the most successful and exciting community theatre companies in the Midwest. I always look forward to each new season and the opportunity to bring exceptional performances to our audiences!”
- Amy Behrens, Operations Manager
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GETTING INVOLVED – We can’t do it without you!
If you have a love for theatre, become a Center Stage Theatre volunteer – it’s fun & easy! Volunteering in theatre can become a lifelong activity for the entire family. There is a niche to fill every area of interest, whether you want something to do only occasionally or you want the "full impact" experience! Participation in Center Stage Theatre is open to any interested individual. We’re always looking for individuals to serve as:
• ushers
• technical crew
• stagehands
• set construction and painting
• makeup assistants
• costume assistants
Check out our Ways to Give to discover ways you can support our on-going programming. |
  
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EDUCATION – Hone your skills & learn some new ones!
Peanut Gallery offers a variety of theatre arts classes and workshops. The classes are small and permit individual attention. Instructors are skilled professionals who teach techniques to unleash creativity and discipline talent. Scholarships are available. |
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AWARDS – Bravo! Bravo!
Each year, Center Stage Theatre and Peanut Gallery recognize performance and volunteer excellence, both onstage and off, through multiple awards.
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Theatre Awards |
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Florence Slagh was the first president/chairman of Theatre Guild when it began in 1929 and directed its first show, The Goose Hangs High. In the fall of 1940, Florence Slagh directed Our Town which was presented on the new high school stage as part of the opening festivities for the building. That stage is the current remodeled stage at Central Middle School. |
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The Mahlon E. Sharp Award for Best Supporting Role Mahlon “Ripp” Sharp joined the Theatre Guild one week after arriving in Midland in 1941 and was a five-term Theatre Guild President. His theatrical history included everything from set builder to designer to performer. After his retirement from The Dow Chemical Company, he became a professional actor appearing with numerous regional theatres and as Tommy Bones in the movie, “Only the Lonely.” |
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The Caparon Technical Excellence Award Thirteen construction bolts were saved when Larkin Street Playhouse, the original site for Theatre Guild performances, was demolished in 1967. One of these bolts now hangs in the Little Theatre Lobby as a tribute to all who receive this award. Each year a recipient is elected by the nominating committee, and their name is placed on an adjoining plaque. The award is named in honor of Mike and Bernie Caparon and their many years of dedication to Theatre Guild. |
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The Wee Kinderspiel Award Each year the Peanut Gallery Committee presents this award for years of outstanding contributions and volunteer service to Peanut Gallery’s youth theatre. Wee Kinderspiel means “small children’s theatre.” |
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Jo Harrigan Career Award Established in 2003, the award honors and pays tribute to Jo Harrigan, a long-time Midland resident and community volunteer who dedicated many years of valuable service to Music Society programs. As both performer and mentor, Jo Harrigan’s contributions of time and talent continue to exemplify how volunteerism and arts participation can significantly enhance the cultural vitality of our community. Nominations are accepted in the spring and nominees are evaluated based on their individual contribution to Center Stage Theatre. Nomination Form |
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Theatre Award Recipients |
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Florence Slagh Curtain Call Award for Best Performance in a Leading Role: Susie Polito of Midland as Faye in The Sugar Bean Sisters |
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Mahlon E. Sharp Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role: R. Jeanne Gilbert of Bay City as Willie Mae in The Sugar Bean Sisters |
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Excellent Performance in a Lead Role, Musical:
Kevin Kendrick of Midland as Horse in The Full Monty |
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Excellent Performance in a Supporting Role, Musical:
Denyse Clayton of Midland as Jeanette in The Full Monty |
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Excellent Performance in an Ensemble Role, Musical:
Heidi Bethune of Midland in The Sound of Music
Josh Reames of Freeland in The Full Monty
Paul Viele of Vassar in The Full Monty |
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Most Dedicated Volunteers:
Jim Ely of Midland for Escanaba in Love for stepping into the role of Alphonse
Peter Brooks of Midland for Our Town for the multitude of lines required of the role of "Stage Manager"
True Rogers of Midland for The Sound of Music for learning to the play the guitar in just 10 weeks
Sonja Roden of Midland for Drop Dead for filling the role of Mona Monet when an actress became ill
Susan Hearn of Midland for The Full Monty for being a director unafraid to think outside the box and encouraging the cast and audience do the same
Bailey Banks of Auburn for The Sugar Bean Sisters for the enthusiasm and eagerness she brought to being part of the Center Stage Theatre family |
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Jo Harrigan Career Award: Kay Collison of Midland |
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Caparon Technical Excellence Award: Susie Polito of Midland |
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Wee Kinderspiel Award: Bill Heeschen of Midland was honored in recognition of his dedication and outstanding contribution to children's theatre |
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Peanut Gallery scholarships: |
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Nils Klykken, son of Paal and Chris Klykken of Midland
Parker Bradford, son of Mark and Karen Bradford of Bay City
Courtney Froelicher, daughter of Stephen and Kellie Froelicher of Midland |
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HISTORY – Who we are; what we do
Established in 1929 as Theatre Guild, Center Stage Theatre presents plays, a children’s Peanut Gallery season and a continuing program of community outreach, theatre classes and workshops.
MISSION: To provide the community with education and participation opportunities in live theatre/performance and our audiences with an excellent theatre experience. |
  
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