MONROE — The Monroe Arts Center is set to host a bevy of events and classes coming up over the next few months. These include:
Missoula Children’s Theatre
The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) pulls into Monroe in their “little red truck” loaded with a set, lights, costumes, props, and make-up; everything it takes to put on a play… except the cast. The show this year will be Red Riding Hood. MCT is known for presenting their own original adaptations of classic children’s stories and fairy tales with a special twist.
The team will be holding open auditions, casting 50-60 school-age children to perform in a full-scale, hour-long original musical production. The show is rehearsed throughout the week with two public performances that will be presented at the end of the week on Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
This production is not just a creative project, but an educational one as well. MAC is proud to have MCT here to help your kids continue to build their social skills, goal achievement, communication skills, and self-esteem.
Registration is available now, and open auditions will be held Monday, Jan. 10 at 4 p.m. Rehearsals will take place at the MAC from Jan. 10-14. For further information, visit monroeartscenter.com.
In order to protect the health, wellness, and safety of all the young actors and crew, the Monroe Arts Center requires all participants to show proof of vaccination prior to the auditions, and/or wear a mask over their nose and mouth while in the building. The MAC will also be practicing social distancing during rehearsals, and each artist will be spaced accordingly.
During the performances, the Monroe Arts Center requires all guests 12 years and older to show a proof of full vaccination, a physical vaccination card, a photograph of the card, or a digital vaccination record (with the last dose administered at least 14 days prior to the event) along with identification. Children under the age of 12 will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours. All guests will be required to wear a face mask over their nose and mouth at all times.
For information on the Missoula Children’s Theatre Production of Red Riding Hood, visit monroeartscenter.com/performances or call 608-325-5700.
Songwriting Class
For those that love music and want to put a song to paper but don’t know where to begin, this class can help. Madison songwriter, singer, and musician Beth Kille is the teaching artist for MAC’s Songwriting: Lyrics and Melody class. Kille will lead participants ninth grade to adult on their exciting songwriting journey.
Kille has been teaching songwriting to writers of all ages, genres, and experience levels for over a decade. Her mission in life is to inspire all to embrace their creativity. Songwriters, no matter what their experience or level, have to start somewhere. Even for those that don’t play an instrument, or know how to construct the verses and choruses, starting songwriting can actually be very easy once moving beyond personal fear of needing to be the “next big songwriter.”
Classes will take place on Tuesdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, at 6:30 p.m., and will end with a final showcase on Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. The presentation of this class is in-person. Participants are required to show proof of vaccination prior to the first class and to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while in the Monroe Arts Center buildings. For further information please check out our website at monroeartscenter.com/classes.
Madison singer/songwriter Beth Kille will teach “Songwriting: Lyrics and Melody at MAC in February. Call 608-325-5700 for information or visit monroeartscenter.com/classes.
Ceili Class
A four-week course of Ceili dancing is available for ages 12 and up. Ceili dancing is a series of repetitive and synchronized movements. No dance experience required; tennis shoes are encouraged. Learn a unique style and bring a friend.
Olivia Lentz is not only the instructor for this course, she is also the Communications and Community Outreach Manager at MAC. After graduating from Viterbo University in 2019 with a Bachelor in Fine Arts, Olivia has worked in Stage Management and various jobs in the Musical Theater world. However, before her musical theater days, Olivia started Irish Dancing at the age of five and eventually went on to dance at the Oireachtas Midwest Championships as both a soloist and team member. With 15 years of performance and competitive experience, Irish dancing and Irish culture have always been a prominent part of her life.
Classes will take place on Saturday mornings, starting Feb. 5, 12, 19, from 10-11 a.m. and will end with a final showcase on Feb. 26. This class is designed for Students from ages 12-plus. The presentation of this class is in-person. Participants are required to show proof of vaccination prior to the first class and to wear a mask over their nose and mouth while in the Monroe Arts Center buildings. For further information visit monroeartscenter.com/classes.
Family Concert Series
An upbeat, engaging concert, featuring Laura Doherty and her adorable puppet friends Muddy Puddles, Jazzasaurus, and Domingo the Flamingo will take place at 11 a.m. Feb. 5.
With an ear for a catchy melody, Doherty recorded her first album Kids in the City in 2009, winning the coveted Gold Parents’ Choice Award. The equally endearing Shining Like a Star (2011) and In a Heartbeat (2014) followed, and both won the Silver Parents’ Choice Award. Animal Tracks (2016), is a collection of her most engaging animal songs, and Doherty’s newest album High Five (2018), received the Gold Parents’ Choice award and is getting lots of radio play across the country. It explores the themes of friendship, family and childhood.
Before recording her own original children’s music, Laura co-produced Old Town School’s Wiggleworms Love You (2005), with Rich Rankin at Mosaic Music studio, and has recorded educational songs for Disney Sound, with indie rocker Ralph Covert of Ralph’s World.
Doherty has performed hundreds of shows at premier venues and festivals across the country, including Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, Ravinia, Lollapalooza, Nashville’s Pilgrimage Fest, Austin’s SXSW, Philly’s World Cafe Live, Boston’s Club Passim and many more.
The concert at the Monroe Arts Center takes place Saturday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. in the Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall. For more information, please check out MAC’s website at monroeartscenter.com/performances.
During this performance, The Monroe Arts Center requires all guests 12 years and older to show a proof of full vaccination, a physical vaccination card, a photograph of the card, or a digital vaccination record (with the last dose administered at least 14 days prior to the event). Children under the age of 5 will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours. All guests over 2 years of age will be required to wear a face mask over their nose and mouth at all times.
The HillBenders
The Monroe Arts Center is proud to present The HillBenders’ WhoGrass at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 in the Gunderson Stiles Concert Hall.
This concert gives a career spanning twist on one of the greatest and legendary bands, The Who, all through the wood and wire of bluegrass instrumentation. From the early hits all the way through The Who’s extensive musical catalog and touching on Pete Townshend’s solo career, the rolling banjo, and intense dobro percussion.
The HillBenders have firmly established their presence as one of the most energetic and engaging progressive acoustic bands on the scene and they continue to wow audiences from stages around the country and around the world. They deliver a perfect mix of virtuoso musicianship and rock star vocals. Whether you’re a fan of Bluegrass music or The Who, this concert rocks on all levels.
During each performance the Monroe Arts Center’s highest priority is health, wellness, and safety. In order to ensure health and safety and that of all our guests and audiences, the Monroe Arts Center is reopening under the guidance of the Green County Public Health Department. All guests 5 years and older will be required to show proof of full vaccination with a physical vaccination card, a photograph of the card, or a digital vaccination record (with the last dose administered at least 14 days prior to the event) along with identification.
Children under the age of 5 will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours. All guests will be required to wear a face mask over their nose and mouth at all times.
For information and tickets for the HillBenders’ WhoGRASS concert, please visit monroeartscenter.com/performances or call 608-325-5700.
