Equipment and Facilities Improvement
Equipment and Facilities Improvement
Rehearsal Space Improvements
Cheryl Avenel-Navara: education, Worthington Public Arts Commission chair, SW MN Opportunity council; Judy Beckman: vocal music, Big Stone Arts Council, Big Stone County Historical Society, Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce CEO; Cheri Buzzeo: theater, music, The Barn Theatre administration, Willmar Main St participant; Jessica Welu: writing, music, SW Regional Development Commission; Anna Johannsen: fiber artist, art teacher, Remick Gallery board, president of Windom Women's Investment group, treasurer of Cottonwood County Animal Rescue, officer of Cotton Quilters; Georgette Jones: literature teacher, theatre actor/director/teacher; David KelseyBassett: visual artist, musician, Hinterland Art Crawl board; Shawn Kinsinger: theater director, actor, musician, Palace Theatre executive director, Green Earth Players vice president, Luverne Street Music board member, Luverne High School Theater artistic director; Darlene Kotelnicki: theater, city council, library board; Alison Nelson: art, music, and dance teacher, KMS Community Ed director, Kerkhoven Fire Department Auxiliary fundraiser; Michele Huggins: Granite Area Arts Council treasurer and volunteer, member of the Artisan Grain Collaborative, founding member of ACHALA; Betsy Pardick: musician, actor, Dept. of Public Transformation committees; Kristine Shelstad: visual arts, Madison Mercantile art gallery, Madison Arts Council, Lac qui Parle Players; VFW; Gillian Singler, MN West Community and Technical College chair of Humanities and English instructor, Creative Healing Space volunteer, writer, theater director; Michele Knife Sterner: theater (actor), SMSU Associate director for Access Opportunity Success program; Erica Volkir: performing arts, Pipestone Performing Arts Center board, Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB director; Mark Wilmes: Lake Benton Opera House board president, actor/director, musician, reporter;
Mark Brodin, theater, film, music; Cheri Buzzeo, theater, SMAC board; Brett Lehman, music; Paula Nemes, theater, music; Janet Olney, visual art, arts admin; Eric Parrish, music, theater; Mark Wilmes, theater, music, SMAC board
ACHF Arts Access
Our goals for this project are firstly to ensure the safety of our performers and staff. The old rehearsal floor was in bad shape and was removed because of the potential for tripping and falling. Our new floor will be constructed by professional carpenters. Secondly, we want to improve the quality of rehearsals with the sound equipment and new electric piano. The purchase of the basic set of tools that are always available in the work space would mitigate the need to rely on the volunteers' personal tools and free up others to get some of the more basic jobs done. A safe rehearsal stage, a competent sound system, and a set of basic tools for the workshop will increase the impact of rehearsals and effectiveness of our volunteers' time in the workshop. To measure the effectiveness of these changes, we plan to interview those who have worked in our current environment after they have used the rehearsal space after the improvements have been implemented.
In the dressing room, the change the carpet made is remarkable. With the carpet absorbing sound, the cast and any visitors have a pleasant experience socializing, sharing ideas or even running lines. A normal speaking voice can be used, rather than shouting. We are excited to offer professional makeup for our actors to help them be immersed into their role. The impact of the portable stage is yet to be felt, as we haven't had a performance yet. But one section of the stage will be used as a second tier to the set for an upcoming performance. The rest of the stage will be used for our sound and light staff to allow for a better view of the stage to allow for easier cues.