[StBernard] Shine/Voices Newsletter - March and April 2007

[Westley Annis]

Thank you for your support of Shine Productions and the Voices Foundation,
as we continue to provide entertainment and educational productions
throughout the area, and the country. 

What do Napoleon, Ellen Degeneres, Britney Spears and Huey Long have in
common?

They are all featured in the Voices of Louisiana, written and directed by
Barry Lemoine.

On March 24, this original production will be performed in Metairie, with a
portion of the proceeds benefiting a local Relay for Life organization. This
show as been performed to sold out audiences in Chalmette, Lakeview,
Destrehan, Abbeville and Ama, Louisiana, as well as 12 states on a national
tour last fall. 

The March 24th show will be performed at the Beach, Tennis and Fitness Club,
6000 Cleveland Avenue in Metairie. For tickets, contact Linda or Versie at
885.9022 or Linda at 349.6738. Doors will 6:30, with dessert included in the
$20 ticket price. 

We promise a 90 minute show that will make you laugh, possibly bring a tear
to your eye, but leave you with a pride in our community's resilience and
humor.

Cast member Tom Hassinger commented that the seven actors and educators of
the show, called the Evacuation Theatre Troupe, are indeed ambassadors of
Louisiana with a mission of cultural exchange, education and entertainment.
The seven cast members include Shannon Gildea, Tom Hassinger, Will
Schneider, Christian Bordelon, Barry Lemoine, Rose Marie Sand and Katie
Betz. Each portrays a variety of characters at the heart of Louisiana's
political and artistic landscape, as well as tell the real stories of
Katrina survivors.

"The show is both poignant and funny, with a hysterical overview of the
Louisiana Purchase, a commentary on what it was like to evacuate our homes,
and a satire about the more colorful characters of our history. The finale'
includes a heartfelt monologue and a salute to the volunteers who have
helped us rebuild," explained cast member Rose Marie Sand.

In one of the more ambitious projects of the troupe, funded by the non
profit Voices Foundation, the actors rented a 37 foot RV for a road trip
that included performances in such diverse locations as Notre Dame in South
Bend, Indiana and the Red Cloud Opera Center in Red Cloud, Nebraska.

The production traces the history of our state from the Louisiana Purchase
to present day Louisiana, and provides both poignancy and comedy. Audience
members at the Destrehan show commented, "they touched our heart and soul,
and the put their own hearts and soul into the production."

A documentary about the Voices of Louisiana is in the works, funded by the
Arts Council of New Orleans.  A scholarship in memory of Milton Sand is also
funded by the Voices Foundation, earmarked for local art and theater
students.
Variety Show returns to Nunez

In other news, the acclaimed Shine Variety Show takes to the stage of Nunez
Auditorium on March 30th. The family oriented variety show was a regular
fixture in St. Bernard pre-Katrina. Producer Barry Lemoine is looking
forward to bringing the show back to St. Bernard, o the stage that started a
four year run of the show. 

Performers will include George Felton, Jude LeBlanc and members of the
Chalmette chorus. For tickets and more information, contact Lemoine at
504.301.8770.


Arts Council Grant received by local playwright

Barry Lemoine of Arabi received a grant for the purpose of producing a
documentary about the Voices of Louisiana, an original play that toured the
country in 2006 and continues to be performed for local audiences.

The grant, co written by Chalmette native Rose Marie Sand, will provide
start up funds to write, shoot, edit and distribute the story of the Voices
of Louisiana. This project was funded by the Voices Foundation, a non profit
corporation created expressly with the mission of "gathering stories and
histories and present them through theatrical productions and educational
programs that are cultural, historic, and artistic; keeping traditions alive
by sharing them for the entertainment of all people."

The Voices of Louisiana road tour brought a troupe of seven actors and
educators to 12 states in the fall of 2006, and continues to be a sought
after production at local venues. The next show will be March 24, in
Metairie, with proceeds from the production funding a local Relay for Life
team.

Lemoine serves as director and writer of the documentary that explores the
community of St. Bernard, the experiences of the road tour, and its impact
on the communities throughout the country who booked and supported the tour.

Additional funding is needed to complete the documentary, which will be
submitted to film festivals this fall. The group hopes to continue to shine
a light on the history of St. Bernard parish residents - their resiliency in
the face of disaster and their rebuilding efforts.

Annette Campo will direct shooting of the video, and Jack Jackson, Jr. does
editing duties. Scripting for the documentary will be provided by Sand,
Lemoine and Campo. With a deadline for final production and distribution
slated for August 2007, the group is presently shooting footage of St.
Bernard locations and interviews with cast members. 

For information about the documentary or about booking the production,
contact Barry Lemoine at 504.301.8770. For information about the March 24th
show in Metairie, contact Linda or Versie at 885.9022 or Linda at 349.6738,
or visit the website at www.voicesoflouisiana.org
<http://www.voicesoflouisiana.org/> . 


Dramarama at the Contemporary Arts Center on April 14th.

The original work of local playwrights Rose Marie Sand and Barry Lemoine has
been selected for the 14th annual Dramarama. From hilarious slapstick comedy
to dazzling dance-theatre and tantalizing burlesque, DramaRama offers New
Orleanians a chance to see outstanding new work from locally and nationally
known artists. 

For information about DramaRama, contact the Contemporary Arts Center,900
Camp Street in New Orleans, at 504 528 3800.

Thank you!  We hope to see you at one of these shows...