Part-Time Administrative Assistant Job Opening

The Ashtabula Arts Center is looking for a part-time Administrative Assistant, beginning in June. Prior customer service experience and knowledge of QuickBooks are preferred; good communication skills and basic computer skills are essential. Duties include registering students for classes, taking and recording payments for classes, selling tickets and updating seating charts, updating our mailing list, checking the general contact email, nightly closing and lock-up, and directing incoming communications to the appropriate department. This position will involve some Saturday hours. To apply, email a resume to Meeghan Humphrey, Executive Director, at director@ashtabulaartscenter.org or drop off a resume at our front desk. DO NOT APPLY VIA FACEBOOK.

Hiring Part-time Custodian

The Arts Center is looking for a part-time custodian: four hours per day, Monday-Friday, beginning in late March. Get the application here. Applications can be returned in person to the front desk or emailed to Meeghan Humphrey at mhumphrey@ashtabulaartscenter.org.

Winners of the 2022 Tikkanen Prize

We’re delighted to announce the winners of the 2022 Paul & Norma Tikkanen Painting Prize! Saturday night’s reception was a great event celebrating some truly phenomenal creative talent from northeast Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania artists.

Congratulations to this year’s winners and final-round entrants — we look forward to next year’s competition.

First Place Realism: Ewuresi Archer, “MADAM”

First Place Abstract: Susan Squires, “reflection”

Second Place Realism: Elisa Albrecht, “Spark”

Second Place Abstract: Phillip Buntin, “Narrow Bands Divide Us, Fall Away”

Honorable Mentions:

Judy Takacs, “Trust Women”

David A. Leas, “Untitled”

Alison Stinely, “Conglomerate V”

Leigh Brooklyn, “We Have Come to Save You”

Rebecca Kaler, “The Lake Series #2”

Mathew Kolodziej, “Vessel”

The Tikkanen Prize exhibit will be on display through October 31. Our gallery is open Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., as well as before shows and during intermission. Admission to the gallery is free.

Auditions for Matilda and The Secret Garden on October 16-17

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical
Performance dates: January 14-16, 21-23, 28-30
Directed by Kimberly Godfrey Warren
and
The Secret Garden
Performance dates: February 11-13, 18-20, 25-27
Directed by Stephen Rhodes

Auditions for both shows will be held October 16-17, Saturday from 11a.m.-1 p.m. and Sunday from 5-7 p.m.

Please come prepared with a short song in the style of one of the two shows, and a list of calendar conflicts. Both directors will be present at both days of auditions. Both shows feature significant roles for adults and children.

Announcing G.B. Community Theatre 2021-22

Announcing our 2021-22 season of G.B. Community Theatre! Tickets and season subscriptions will go on sale soon.

The Smell of the Kill
September 17-19 & 24-26
by Michele Lowe
Directed by Bob Kilpatrick
Produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois
Take three delicious, malicious wives, add three miserable, unloving husbands—and chill. Nicky, Debra and Molly have tolerated one another for years, but when their no-good spouses accidentally lock themselves in a basement meat locker, the women are faced with a life-or-death decision: should they leave them permanently on ice, or let them thaw?

Peter Pan the Musical
October 8-10, 15-17, 22-24
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh
Music by Morris “Moose” Charlap
Additional Lyrics by Betty Comden & Adolph Green
Additionaly Music by Jule Styne
Based on the Play by Sir J.M. Barrie
Directed by Christy Seymour
Music Directed by Chris Bott
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIshows.com
Peter and his mischievous fairy sidekick, Tinkerbell, visit the nursery of the Darling children late one night and, with a sprinkle of pixie dust, begin a magical journey across the stars that none of them will ever forget. In the adventure of a lifetime, the travelers come face to face with a ravenous crocodile, a proud tribe of islanders, a band of bungling pirates, and, of course, the villainous Captain Hook.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (Auditions Saturday, October 16, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. & Sunday, October 17, 5-7 p.m. Details to come.)
January 14-16, 21-23, 28-30
Book by Dennis Kelly
Music & Lyrics by Tim Minchin
Directed by Kimberly Godfrey Warren
Music Directed by Debra Fleming
Presented through special arrangement with Musical Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIshows.com
Revel in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination, and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Little Matilda Wormwood is an amazing girl with wit, intelligence, and incredible powers. Unloved by her cruel parents, Matilda’s life begins to change when she meets kind schoolteacher Miss Honey, as well as child-hating headmistress Miss Trunchbull. It will take all Matilda’s wit and courage to be the heroine her classmates need.

The Secret Garden
February 11-13, 18-20, 25-27
Book & Lyrics by Marsha Norman
Music by Lucy Simon
Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Presented through special arrangement with Concord Theatricals
Directed by Stephen Rhodes
Music Directed by Chris Bott
Orphaned in India, young Mary Lennox travels to Yorkshire, England to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald Craven and his invalid son Colin. The Craven estate’s many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the “Dreamers,” spirits from Mary’s past who guide her through her new life in this tale of forgiveness and renewal.

Puffs (or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic)
April 1-3 & 8-10
by Matt Cox
Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals
Directed by Ave Warren
For seven years, a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs…who just happened to be there, too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.

Seeking artists for Pop-Up Art Boutique Nov. 19-20

The Arts Center will be holding a Holiday Pop-Up Art Boutique on November 19 & 20. Open to artists, jewelry artists, potters, carvers, glass artists, wearables, felting, leather, soap/lotion makers, quilters, bakers, and a variety of unique crafters. ALL EXHIBITORS MUST HAVE HANDCRAFTED WARES. Nothing commercially manufactured will be accepted.

Get the entry form: artist entry form Pop Up Boutique 2021

Exhibitors must include images of their work and booth with their application. These images will be used for publicity purposes, as well.

Applications may be submitted by mail to Ashtabula Arts Center, Pop-Up Boutique, 2928 W. 13th Street, Ashtabula, OH, 44004 or by email to nancybrotz@gmail.com.

Announcing cast of “Peter Pan”

Announcing the cast of the G.B. Community Theatre production of Peter Pan! Performance dates will be October 8-10, 15-17, & 22-24, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets will go on sale soon. Peter Pan the Musical is directed by Christy Seymour, with music directed by Chris Bott.
Peter Pan…Bailey Brotz
Wendy Darling…Kaitlyn Watson
John Darling…Bett Seymour
Michael Darling…Andrew Huber
Mrs. Darling…Andrea Tredent
Mr. Darling…Derek Lebzelter
Nana…Max Seymour
Liza…Sadie Drozd (Understudy: McCamey Compan)
Tinkerbell Light Operator…Jessica Lebzelter
Pirates
Captain Hook…Derek Lebzelter
Smee…Max Seymour
Starkey…Charlotte Roberts
Cecco…Allison Gentry
Noodler…Julia McDaniel
Mullins…Hannah Kile
Jukes…Cooper Compan
Wibbles…Tucker Compan
Lost Boys
Slightly..Jay Clark
Tootles…Natalie Tredent
Curly…Libby Vandevander
Nibs…Marcus Lebzelter
1st Twin…Jace Necessary
2nd Twin…Paige Burns
Cubby…Carmella Tredent
Neverland Natives
Tiger Lily…Naomi Sanford
McCamey Compan
Sadie Drozd
Alisz Fabian
Etta Fabian
Henry Lebzelter
Carson Nick
Maxie Seymour
Neverland Animals
Croc…Maxie Seymour
Kangaroo…Annie Robar
Lion…Stella Lowery
Ostrich…Evelyn Orr

Auditions for G.B. Community Theatre

The Smell of the Kill
Wednesday & Thursday, July 28-29
7 p.m.
3 adult female roles
Auditioners should arrive at the Arts Center at 7 p.m. Please come prepared to read from the script, and bring a list of calendar conflicts. PLEASE NOTE: This show requires actresses to appear on stage in undergarments for a portion of the performance.

Directed by Bob Kilpatrick
Written by Michele Lowe
Licensed through Dramatic Publishing
Performance dates: September 17-19 & 24-26
Take three delicious, malicious wives, add three miserable, unloving husbands—and chill. That’s the recipe of Michele Lowe’s tantalizing comedy The Smell of the Kill. The show revolves around Nicky, Debra, and Molly who have tolerated one another during once-a-month dinners for years. While their unseen spouses play golf in the dining room, the women exchange confidences for the first time revealing that all three marriages are on the brink of disaster and all three women are facing the challenges of their lives. Nicky’s husband has been indicted for embezzlement, Molly’s husband is stalking her and Debra’s husband is leaving her for another woman. When the men mistakenly lock themselves in a basement meat locker the women are faced with a life-or-death decision—should they leave the men out in the cold—permanently—or let them thaw? One by one the women make their choices with more than a little help from one another.
Peter Pan the Musical (1954 Broadway version) 
Monday & Tuesday , August 2 & 3
6:30-8:30 p.m. 
Roles for ages 7-adult, flexible casting, large ensemble
Directed by Christy Seymour
Music directed by Chris Bott
Lyrics by Carolyn Leigh
Music by Morris “Moose” Charlap
Based on the play by Sir J.M. Barrie
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI).
Performance Dates: October 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m.
All genders are encouraged to audition. Any unvaccinated performers who are cast will be supplied with masks that match their costumes for performances, and will be required to rehearse and perform masked. We strongly recommend that anyone auditioning for a show be fully vaccinated when possible for their age group.

Plein Aire show winners

“PLEIN AIRE” SHOW WINNERS
Best in Show: “View from Harpersfield Bridge,” Robin Borer, oil painting Alla Prima
First Place Painting: “Hell’s Hollow,” Robin Borer, oil painting Alla Prima
Second Place Painting: “The Home Creek Bed,” Ralph Bacon, acrylic
First Place Graphics: “Skyscape #3,” Glenn Morisue, charcoal
Second Place Graphics: “Another Viewpoint (Conneaut Harbor),” Rosemary Bennet, pastel
Jurors’ Merit Awards: “Windswept Tree (Wright Memorial Property, Outer Banks, NC),” oil pastel; & “Into the Apple Tree,” Dominic Keim, acrylic
“Congrats to all! All beautiful entries! Decisions were based on best efforts in capturing a moment in time I was looking for the most effective spontaneous depiction of the great outdoors.” — Juror Mark Badzik

Accepted work for “Plein Aire” exhibit

Accepted art for the 2021 Ashtabula Art Center Plein Aire Juried Art Show:

Dee Riley – “Riley’s Pond”

Dominic Keim – “The Fourth Window,” “Meadow Waves,” “Into the Apple Tree”

Laura Dressler – “Chapin Forest,” “Indiana Barn,” “Black Dog Bookstore”

Glenn Morisue – “Skyscape #1,” “Skyscape #2,” “Skyscape #3”

Nancy Nelson-Brotz – “Luvin Lavender Field,” “Red Glads By My Back Door,” “Windswept, Wright Memorial Grounds OBX”

Robin Borer – “Hells Hollow,” “Nelson’s Ledges,” “View from Harpersfield Bridge”

Rosemary K. Bennett – “Creek Road Kayaks,” “Conneaut Harbor- Another Viewpoint,” “Conneaut Creek/Mill St. Bridge”

Ralph Bacon – “Ashtabula River Bend,” “‘Bula River Cliff,” “The Home Creek Bed”

Ashtabula Arts Center Revised Mask Policy

Ashtabula Arts Center Revised Mask Policy, effective June 2, 2021

In order to protect the many children & other vulnerable patrons in our building, the Ashtabula Arts Center will, at this time, continue to require that visitors wear face masks while indoors, or when seated in Straw Hat Theatre. However, anyone who wishes may show their COVID vaccine record at the front desk, or to a Straw Hat usher at a performance, and may go without a mask in our building and in Straw Hat Theater.  We will still require masks to be worn behind the front desk.  We have come to this decision based on the guidance of the Ashtabula County Health Department, and with consideration to our organizational values. We thank our patrons and visitors for their understanding and support.