Article contributed by Derek Barnes with San Benito Stage Company.
San Benito Stage Company's start to the 2018 season has been busy so far. The organization is focused on events that would reach a wide variety of people in San Benito county by holding true to its theater roots.
On Saturday Jan. 27, the Stage Company held its annual awards show. The show, which is an annual event, announces winners of the previous season as well as introducing where the company is headed in 2018. The evening's winners are listed below in attached pdf
This Feb. 3, the Stage Company hosted its first ever talent show. In first place was Jenna Hunt, second place Shane Wilbur, and third place went to Jula Prak. With 17 acts ranging from singers to dancers to people with unique talents, the event was well supported by the community. Bill Mifsud, one of the judges for the show stated, "This was a great event and I was so impressed with how talented all of the acts were." The talent show utilized a four judge panel and all who attended could vote as the 5th judge for the night. At the end of the event emcees Betsy Molchan and Steve Hodgkinson announced the winners.
The event was produced and organized by Amy Redmond-Waran and Allison Barnes. "We are just thrilled that this idea came together, it was a wonderful night seeing all these people do so well on stage," said Redmond-Waran
So what's next for the San Benito Stage Company? The answer to that question comes this coming weekend. Anne Hall president of the Stage Company stated, "This is a very exciting time for us as an organization, we have a lot of opportunities for the community to come check out what we're about." One of the things Hall is most excited about is the upcoming dinner theater show Almost Maine which opens Feb. 9. The show is about love, relationships, and a group of people who all live in this fictional town. The Stage Company is excited to be bringing back the dinner show this year, and providing a new location, the IOOF building at 330 5th St. in Hollister. Hall believes this new venue "will provide those who attend a more intimate opportunity to watch one of our shows." With catering by Cozy Cup, Almost Maine runs Feb. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 at 7:00 p.m. and Feb. 11 and 18 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets and information can be found at www.sanbenitostage.org
In addition to Almost Maine, the Stage Company will also be holding auditions this weekend for its upcoming children's show The Grunch. Children from age six up to to 8th grade age are encouraged to audition for this show. Auditions will be held Thursday, Feb. 9 at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 10th at 9:00 a.m. Children looking to audition only need to come prepared with a good attitude and ready to sing and dance. Shanon Romiti, one of the producers of the show believes "this show has great potential for any child to have a great experience."
So San Benito Stage Company has already had an exciting start to 2018 so far, but with even bigger plans set for the rest of the year, this is just the tip of the iceberg for this theater organization.
