Gossip: Changes at Players Ring, Seacoast Santa finale and Squirrelcat Designs move – Foster’s Daily Democrat

Changes at The Players’ Ring

There are changes afoot at The Players’ Ring, according to Board of Trustees member Ed Simeone. It has hired its first paid staff member – more support for outside production companies, has a new name for an old event, and additional structure. There’s also two events for production companies pitching for a slot, both just around the corner.

The Ring is currently working on a strategic plan, looking at where the Ring should be in five years, and ten years from now, Simeone says. “We’re looking at what we’re trying to do, what is the niche for the Ring within the regional cultural community.”

The theater had a unique format in the area when established 27 years ago, he says. The Ring was the only theater that regularly sought original works, and offered slots to outside companies. “Now, some others have adopted that,” he says. “We need to see what will distinguish the Ring.”

Whatever it does, it also needs to do it better, he says. First and foremost is strengthening its relationship with visiting production companies “the lifeblood of our theater,” and its audience.

To that end, the Ring hired Margherita Giacobbi as production manager to help facilitate many of the changes, and coordinate the Ring’s workings. It is the first paid position in Ring history (a flexible 10-to-20-hour week).

Giacobbi’s “first and foremost” responsibility is as producers’ liaison to help orient and mentor, and walk them through the process – production to advertisement.

“She’s there to provide a constant resource. Her role is still evolving,” Simeone says. “She has been a godsend to us.”

The annual Producers’ Pitch night is now “The Ring Toss” and will take place Feb. 24. This year, the Ring is opening the pitch night to additional performing artists, “such as comedy and music … or other ideas,” along with the traditional play productions. The point is – toss it in and give it a shot.

New this round is “Producing at the Ring” on Monday, Feb. 3 or “how to become engaged,” a new informational meeting to assist those interested in pitching a project, he says.

The event will cover the Ring’s resources, how to use them, even how its theater space can be refigured. A booklet, currently in the works, will also outline processes.

“What’s important is they have a very positive experience working with the Ring, to make sure they can focus on the play and production.”

For more info regarding pitching an idea for the 2020-2021 season, see playersring.org/submissions.

The board is also looking at other areas “for the best balance of established, and new,” Simeone says. “How can we make the Ring more a destination? How can we engage audiences to a greater degree? And how can we create the best experience for audiences?”

‘A Thousand Clowns’ at the Ring

“A Thousand Clowns,” running through Jan. 19, is the first production to grace the Ring stage in 2020, which apparently is setting a high bar.

Producer and actor Don Goettler wanted to put together the best possible cast after waiting years to produce this piece. He’s certainly done that.

The talent includes numerous Spotlight Award winners and nominees: Best Actor Christopher Savage; Best Supporting Actor Scott Degan, and Best Actor Matt Schofield, and Goettler himself a Best Supporting Actor winner. All have numerous nominations as well.

In addition, Director Constance Witman has five nominations, one Best Actress, and two Best Ensemble awards.

“I wanted a high-caliber show all around,” Goettler says. “I wanted to surround myself with talented (people) that I respect. It just so happened … they had the awards under their belts.”

The show also features Boston-based actress Ashley Risteen, “a wonderful actress and highly regarded in the Boston community,” according to Goettler, and James Ferrelly, as the 11-year-old son, who is making his main-stage debut.

“It’s a high-caliber show, just beautiful,” Goettler says. “Bringing it to life across from these people, challenging ourselves to find something different in us as actors to tie into these characters, has been an experience.”

Squirrelcat Designs to open first location

Squirrelcat Designs, owned and operated by Denice Kelly, is also looking at big changes in 2020. After 20 years, her company will move to Austin17House, Route 125, Brentwood, its first home, outside of her personal one.

Squirrelcat Designs offers balloon art, henna and face painting and more, and will be adding to the list of entertainment services once settled in.

“This is my first physical space,” Kelly, who began as a makeup artist, says. “For years, I’ve had to explain to potential clients that I go to them, and I’ve lost a fair number because I didn’t have a location. I’m very excited to see how things work out!”

Squirrelcat Designs starts setting up Jan. 1 and plans a grand opening in February. Kelly will take appointments for henna, belly blessings, belly paintings, etc., immediately. All will be available for walk-in services soon, though never face-painting, “as that needs to be set up ahead of time.”

The new space will allow for growth, she says.

“(It) will not only allow me to take appointments for single clients …, but it will also allow me to expand to offer classes and even to host parties,” she says. “I will also be able to work on other art forms such as canvasses, and potentially commissions from that.”

“It … allows me to have a creative work area that I won’t have to share with two cats and another human,” Kelly said.

Kelly, who has a degree in photography, plans to reintroduce photography services. “(And I’ll) create backdrops that will be available at fairs and festivals or to rent.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing what 2020 has in store,” she says. “2019 was a year of serious growth for Squirrelcat Designs, and I’m looking forward to seeing where that growth takes me with the studio location.”

Seacoast Santa hangs it up

2019 was Seacoast Santa of New Hampshire’s final year; Mrs. Claus has hung up her boots.

Gloria Graves-Fichter began the toy giveaway project a decade ago. That first year, Graves-Fichter drove the toys to those who requested them.

The project’s initial prompt was a radio advertisement, Graves-Fichter says.

“It was getting close to Toys For Tots and I was hearing about the ‘drop-off new toys,'” Graves-Fichter says. “Then it occurred to me parents might want a place to (donate) good, gently used.”

SSNH grew. It eventually switched to new toys, and added used clothing. By its final year, SSNH required rented storage, U Haul Trucks, lots of volunteers and a distribution center. It also produced fundraisers, two in 2019. Anything the organization’s funding didn’t cover, Graves-Fichter did.

There are a number of factors for ending it, Graves-Fichter says.

“There were a lot of new, smaller charities like ours popping up, our volunteers were getting lower, and the donations – there were a lot less toys,” she says. “Clothes took over and the toys were less and less.”

The fundraisers weren’t doing as well either. And there was a growing greed with a small percent of recipients. Annual post-mortem meetings included discussion on how to cut down on misuse.

This year they had to take fewer families. “It was really bittersweet,” Graves-Fichter says.

“The families that came were truly grateful. We felt really good about it. But, we just feel it’s time. … It was just the mix of things,” Graves-Fichter says. “We really enjoyed doing it. And we’re grateful to see other (groups) pop up, so we know our families will be taken care of.”

Jeanné McCartin keeps her eyes and ears open for gossip at [email protected].

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