New Directions

In a world that is upside-down and in the face of ever-changing challenges, we can create new ways of living together!

UPDATE…

The production of The “TALK SHOW” about Moms was our first online creation and we are planning others.
The hour long show, a tribute to motherhood, was the result of a Zoom encounter, which eight talented actresses used to send a very special message to their families and friends on Mother's Day. 

In a casual improvisational form, the performers told fun stories, which included props and hats to express the uniqueness of their own mothers. The NSP actors included Jackie Defendis, Hannah Eckstein, Marigold Fine, Lynn Knudsen, Risa Lower, Ellen Mazaika, Judy Phillips, and Virginia Val-Leiva

Accolades and Thank Yous go to Risa Lower and Hannah Eckstein for directing and coaching, Lynn Knudsen for technical help with Zoom teleconferencing, and 
 KC Carlson for Video Post Production. 

COMING SOON
New Board member Sally Bookman is producing 7 short plays for our Readers Theater, Kathryn Adkins is planning a Voice class to go online and the NSP Players are designing practice schedules to provide Healthcare Facilities with a “Garden Party” Program performing outdoors, and a digital library of videos of past performances.

With Thanks to Shari Gallegos and Jackie Defendis, we have plans to offer our Children’s Show “Piggie Pie” to Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley elementary schools K-3 grades, when NSP receives the go-ahead.

Our Taiko Drumming Program for PWPs flourishes and we are researching a Speech and Movement addition to this effort. Great new strategies are being offered by TimeSlips for the cognitively impaired and we are looking for volunteers to help implement them.

Volunteers are also being interviewed for positions on the NSP Board. Let us know if you are interested. Thanks Again for ALL you do to support our work. All this said we need more volunteers!

People with Parkinsons Taiko Drumming Program in the News

This article on the NextStage Productions Taiko Drumming program recently ran in the Aptos Times

Abbot Square MusicFair

Abbot Square MusicFair show features NextStage Productions which specializes in “artful aging" for active adults through classes, performances, and shows designed to maintain health and wellness for older adults, 50+. NextStage Santa Cruz is part of a national network of programs that provide active performance venues for seniors to replace isolation and loneliness.

Show review by retired Broadway performer and NextStage Executive Director, Lynn Knudsen:

“This [event] features 15 performers and three original musical reviews, each different from the other in music styling and interpretation. First, you’ll be exhilarated by the opening number of a variety show called Razzle Dazzle with singing and dancing combined with magic. Young and old kids alike will be delighted.

Next is an imaginary trip through California "Cruz’n " California, along Route 66, and an encounter with the “little old lady from Pasadena.” And you’ll enjoy the hat and cane dance to open San Francisco’s Golden Gates, as done by our NSP Players & Dancers.

We wrap up the program, we call Ageless Arts, with a tribute to The Beatles. Yes, this was our favorite music back in the 1960’s. Our Magical Mystery Troupe will wow you with Beatles favorites like I Wanna Hold You Hand, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, Twist, and Shout and other hits from the English Invasion. Don’t miss the show, it’s a revelation."

Performance is Sunday September 29, 2019 from 12:30-2:30pm. For more information about NextStage Productions, up-coming local shows, and classes through Cabrillo College go to www.nextstagesantacruz.org

Listen to your Mother

Join us at the Center Street Theater for a special event honoring motherhood, and giving voice to the real and personal stories of our cast members.

The cast includes local celebrity artists Hannah Eckstein, Karen Schamberg, Geraldine Byrnes, Stan Grindstaff, Phyllis Greenwood and includes, Valarie Arno, Michelle Dias, Marigold Fine, Shari Gallegos, Gretchen Jenne, Lynn Knudsen, Risa Lower, Bobbe Martin, and Chi Cha Russo-Boyes. This quick journey through the lives of our readers is funny, happy, sad, hopeful and all are memorable.

From the creator of Listen To You Mother:
LTYM began when I looked at our national Mother's Day holiday and suddenly found it sorely lacking. I felt that motherhood deserved something more than a frittata once a year  something less retail-related and more community-focused. I wondered if Mother's Day could mean something beyond the celebration of the individual matriarch  something bringing mothers together, recognizing the commonality among us all  moms and non-moms alike. As a blogger and part of an emerging cultural revolution in mothering and self-expression, I wanted my real life community to get a taste of the vitality of the dynamic women drawing inspiration and support from one another online.

Mother's Day remains a holiday by and for mothers, yes, but now LTYM puts motherhood at the head of the table, receiving everyone mothered and all of us mothering as guests of honor.
For me, now, Mother's Day means giving a voice to stories of mothering that both bring us together and expand perspectives. It means sharing these stories locally with live audiences and globally. 

Mother's Day remains a holiday by and for mothers, yes, but now LTYM puts motherhood at the head of the table, receiving everyone mothered and all of us mothering as guests of honor. By Ann Imig, Author

New Artistic Director - Hanna Eckstein

NextStage would like to announce the acceptance of our new staff position of Artistic Director by Hannah Eckstein. She is a successful working actress in film, TV and Theatre.

Hannah's career started in film with Ed Wood directed by Tim Burton. Some of her TV appearances include Molly and Me, Married With Children,The Nanny, Murder She Wrote and in theatre locally, she directed Sordid Lives and starred in Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild at Mountain Community Theater. And we must not forget to mention her hilarious performances in this year's Eight 10s at Eight.

We are so pleased to welcome Hannah to the NextStage Creative Staff. We are planning an exciting year of activities which will include casting three musical reviews, play readings and later in the year casting of our BIG Major Production in Spring 2020.