Former ITL judge and actress, Maxine S. Izzi, passed away peacefully at home with family at her side on May 17th, 2008, after a long battle with cancer.  She was also a talented actress, including over 25 years with the Ramona Pageant and Ramona Hillside Players.

A memorial service on Saturday, May 24th, 3:00 PM at Unity Chapel, 140 N. Buena Vista, in Hemet.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Maxine’s memory to Hemet Hospice, Volunteers, 890 West Stetson, Ste. B, Hemet, CA. 92543. (951) 766-9629 Entrusted To The Care Of: 350 N. San Jacinto Street Hemet, CA 92543 (951) 658-9497 - FD #998 www.mcwanefamily.com.

Rialto Community Players is looking for persons interested in set design, lighting design, and stage management for the 2008-2009 season: Noises Off; Rumors; Tom, Dick and Harry; and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum.  All dates are listed on our website at www.rialtocommunityplayers.org 

If you are interested please contact Kerry Jones at ninejones@sbcglobal.net for more information.  All positions receive stipends.

The City of Rancho Cucamonga is seeking theatrical professionals, especially scenic designers/builders and stage managers, for the community theatre series.  (Read on …)

This weekend (April 19 and 20) at Chaffey College, the Theatre Travel Club will host a Headshot and Resume Fundraiser from 9-2pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Please view the flyer for all the details.  You must schedule an appointment with me this week if you are interested.  Just email or call.  Only $50 for a headshot session and $10 for a theatrical resume!  Don’t miss this unique and exciting opportunity.

Download a Microsoft Word document with all of the details.

Isis Theatre Company is pleased to announce its first Playwrights Festival to be held July 5th & 6th, 2008m,  in the beautiful mountain community of Idyllwild in Southern California.

The winning play will be produced as a main stage production in our 2009 season. No monetary compensation will be provided. (Read on …)

Actors seeking experience in scene and character work are encouraged to attend Footlighters March workshop, “Acting 201: Working the Basics”. This four-part course, taught by award-winning Inland Empire actresses, Deborah McFatter and Buffy Guzenski, will provide experience in scenework, monologues and character development through improv, games and performance. The workshops, held four consecutive Saturday mornings, 9:30 am to noon, March 8-29, cost is $40 for Footlighters members and $60 for non-members.  

Deadline for registration is March 1st.

For more information, visit www.redlandsfootlighters.org or call Buffy at (909)798-9854.

The Fontana Mummers are announcing the shows for their 2008 – 2009 season and extending a call for directors.  If you are interested in directing, please e-mail Cory Whitfield at cwhitfield_publicrelations@fontanamummers.com, or call him at 909-743-4744 or the theatre at 909-822-4052 and request a Directorship Application. The deadline for submitting the application is February 28, 2008. (Read on …)

Stuart Campbell, an ITL judge, Redlands Footlighter member, and teacher, passed away November 17 from heart failure.  Services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 1, at 1211 W. Sunset Drive in Redlands.

Stuart had been a member of Redlands Footlighters since 1949 and received a special award from the ITL in 2004 for a lifetime of support and excellence in community theater. 

More information on his life can be read in a Redlands Daily Facts article at http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/ci_7582174.

The Fontana Mummers, Inc., are looking for individuals that dedicated to the performing arts to sit on their Board of Directors.  The Fontana Mummers is in the middle of the revamping of their theatre with new programming, new philosophy towards their community and the volunteers that work with the organization. If you feel you have a desire to help bring a high quality product to the community and continue the legacy of over 30 years in Fontana, have a high ethical stander and love to see others grow in the performing arts please contact Cory Whitfield Chairman of the Board at 323-559-4595 home 909-854-6993 or at cwhitfield_publicrelations@fontanamummers.com

The Chino Community Theatre is currently interviewing directors interested in directing the comedy musical Nunsense, running May 9 through May 31, 2008.  There is pay.  Please contact Gracie Arvizu, artistic director for CCT, before December 1.  To arrange a meeting, call the theatre at 909-590-1149.

The Sturges Center for Arts is seeking an Executive Director who will raise funds through grants and contributions to enable the venue to meet the cultural needs of the community and to provide administrative and a new managerial direction for the organization. (Read on …)

“Curtain Call” Memorial Tribute for Valerie VanBrocklin to be held at the Rialto Playhouse on Sunday, November 18 beginning at 5:30pm.  Everyone is welcome to come and you can share any stories or memories if you wish.  There will be photos so if you have one you’d like to include you can email it to Jena Fraley at liljena23@gmail.com 

Buffet dinner will be provided.  We hope to see everyone there to remember a very special lady.

http://www.inlandtheatre.org/2007/10/17/in-memoriam-valerie-vanbrocklin/

Rialto Playhouse is located at 150 E. San Bernardino Ave. in Rialto.  For further information you may email Kerry Jones at ninejones@sbcglobal.net. 

Junior University Musical Theatre will be presenting William R. Dixon’s musical adaptation of The Jungle Book.   We follow the adventures of the ups and downs of the man-cub Mowgli as he makes his way back to the human village with wise panther Bagheera to escape ruthless tiger Shere Khan. Along the way, he meets unforgettable friends and foes.

JU is currently looking for production staff to fill the following positions: (Read on …)

For details, visit http://www.chaffey.edu/humres/Box%20Office%20Technician.htm

On October 1, 2007, the Inland Empire theater community lost Valerie VanBrocklin to complications related to diabetes.

A invaluable part of Rialto Community Players since 1988 as an actress, director, and board member.  She was also an ITL judge.  In 2006, Valerie received an ITL award for directing Lie, Cheat and Genuflect for Rialto.  Recent appearances on stage include A Flea in Her Ear at Rialto and See How They Run with Redlands Footlighters.

More information about Valerie can be can be found in a San Bernardino Sun article at http://www.sbsun.com/search/ci_7197729.

A wake was held on October 9 and services on October 10.  Rialto Community Players will announce a date for a memorial service at their playhouse.

Our fellow Inland Theatre League judge, actor, and director, Melodie Narramore Yocum, passed away on Friday, September 15, after battling cancer for several months.

Memorial services for Melodie will be on Wednesday, September 19, at 1:30 PM.  Services will be held at Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church, across the street from California Baptist University, on the corner of Magnolia and Adams Avenues. Cards should be sent to Rev. Paul D. Yocum, c/o California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504.

(Read on …)

Beginning in September 2007, Olive Branch Christian Theater will weekely classes in Christmas Caroling Choir/Drama, Ballroom Dancing, and American Sign Language/Choir.  For more class information visit our website at   www.obctheater.org or call 951-264-5794. (Read on …)

The Riverside Dickens Festival is a regional educational non-profit corporation that provides educational, family oriented, literary entertainment and activities such as plays, dramatic and musical performances, pageants, living history presentations, workshops, lectures, classroom study, exhibits and a street bazaar with free entertainment, vendors, and costumed characters.

Below are three requests for proposals for performers for the 2008 Riverside Dickens Festival.  Deadline is August 15.

• Venue Performer Proposal
• Dickens Character Troupe Proposal
• One Person Show Proposal

Visit their website at http://www.dickensfest.com/ for more information and other opportunities.

Christian Arts and Theatre of Corona (CAT) is currently seeking directors for their 2007-2008 youth season.  The casts consist of auditioned youth, ages 8 - 18, who are enrolled in the current session of CAT’s education classes
CAT seeks directors of the highest level of creativity, talent and integrity to continue their tradition of excellence. (Read on …)

I’ve been maintaining the Inland Theatre League Web site now for almost three years - 18 months in its current form.  During this time, I have come up with a short list of “tips” for publicity people to consider when they submit material for the site.  I have to admit, the list is pretty self-centered as it makes my job easier.  However, I share it because I think it is helpful for people who are just getting started writing releases for their organization. (Read on …)