• CCAA Board Meeting at 7:00 pm at CCAA office
  
  (United Way Building Meeting Room) in La Plata.
  
  April 13

• AUDITIONS EXTENDED - ROLES STILL OPEN

 

Please share this announcement with anyone that might be interested - Miss Evers' Boys is an excellent show and a wonderful acting opportunity for new and experienced actors alike. Auditions are OPEN and available by appointment.

 

AUDITIONS.....The Hard Bargain Players and director David M. Thomas are ! holding OPEN auditions for David Feldshuh's "MISS EVERS' BOYS" on Saturday, April 1st, 2006 at 1:00pm at the Hard Bargain Amphitheatre in Accokeek, MD (2001 Bryan Point Rd).  Actors may also make an appointment to audition if they are not available on April 1st - just e-mail or call and we will do our best to be available at your convenience.  No experience is necessary. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script and possibly some improvisation. For more information and directions go to our web site at hbplayers.org or call 301-392-9901

 

SYNOPSIS - Disease and unease - The good-time feeling of the ensemble in the passionate historical play "Miss Evers' Boys" is only a setup for the devastating deterioration of the same characters as the infamous Tuskegee experiments take their toll.  This play is closely based on the true events of the shameful Tuskegee project ("Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male"), for which the few survivors received a formal apology from President Clinton in 1997. Heat-haze and sultry music evoke the sensuality of the poverty-stricken, deep south. The questions asked by the Senate committee chairman are precisely those that viewers want to ask.  Superb performances will create a plausible answer to one of the most baffling questions of all: why the black Miss Evers (in real life Nurse Rivers) might have participated in this unethical project for so many! years. At the end, her passivity finally erupts in anger: "If these men had been white," she tells the committee, "they would have been treated! And the federal government would not have renewed the grant year after year."

 

CASTING -

1 African American woman able to play late 20's to mid 40's. 1 Adult Caucasian man - not age specific 5 African American men age range 20 to 60.

THE STORY: In an effort to get medical help for Alabama tenant farmers, their nurse, Miss Evers, convinces them to join a government study to treat venereal disease. When the ! money runs out, Nurse Evers is faced with a difficult decision: to tell the men that they are no longer being treated and that they are now part of a research study to see what untreated syphilis will do to them, or follow the lead of the doctor she respects and the tenets of the nursing profession. Nurse Evers follows the advice of her advisors, and with the understanding that the study can help thousands more, she does not tell the men they are no longer receiving medication. She does this with the assurance that as soon as medication becomes available, her men will be the first to receive it. But after fourteen years of caring for her patients as if they were family, when medication is finally available, it is denied to her study group. Nurse Evers, devastated at the news and starting to watch her men die, can no longer keep silent. Shunned for her silence of 14 years, Nurse Evers holds her head up and explains the reasons and emotions that kept her in the study and kept her c! aring for her men. Some of them forgive her, others do not, as Nurse Evers tries to put back a world broken by prejudice, disease, time and trust.

 

This powerful drama is a fictional account based on a true government study carried out from 1932 to 1972. "...artistically conceived, fully realized, deeply felt, often humorous and moving...the talk is always warm and persuasive, it benefits from a strong infrastructure of physicality, an undercurrent of action frequently bursting to the surface." -NY Magazine. "There is a deeply moving play being performed...that every American-and I do mean every American-should witness...Not only is this play loaded with messages for all of us who claim to be civilized, for sheer drama and entertainment it's worth more than the cost of the tickets." -Chicago Sun Times. "You could make an argument that the single most important feature of the play is its very existence; that simply by being, by having been written and produced, the play accomplishes its purpose. It is also one helluva piece of writing. The play is a powerful moral statement; it could hardly have been otherwise. But it is warm, humane and even, astoundingly, funny along the way, and it is never preachy." -Atlanta Journal/Constitution.

 

In a dramatic way this play tells an important story about human experimentation and the lives of those who were part of an experiment which they did not understand; it is also about the lives of those who were responsible. The play can be used in many ways to stimulate discussion and to ask questions about human experimentation, informed consent, great and small culpability, etc. The characters become real, and it is easy to become involved in the drama of their lives by reading the play, and even more so, when ! seeing it performed.

 

In 1997 HBO produced a film called MISS EVERS' BOYS based on the play staring Alfre Woodard, Lawrence Fishburn and Ossie Davis.

 

Hard Bargain is a non-professional community theatre located 15 minutes south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Accokeek, Maryland. Our performance and rehearsal space is a naturally occurring outdoor amphitheatre, beautifully nestled in the woods. Although the space can be magical, we do contend with the elements and offer few of the amenities found in a more urban or suburban setting

• The Port Tobacco Players presents:
  Annie Get Your Gun
  
  (March 10 - April 2, 2006)
  
  Book by Herbert and Dorothy Fields, Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
  Annie Oakley is an incredible shot who was raised Doin What Comes Naturally. Frank Butler, the star sharpshooter in Colonel Buffalo Bill's show, however, knows full well that's not how The Girl That I Marry must be. Anyway, not at least until he finds that My Defenses are Down. Though Annie defiantly says "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better," she realizes that You Can't Get a Man With a Gun. The victor at the end is love; as you know It's Wonderful. After all, There's No Business Like Show Business.
  
  Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm
  Sundays at 3:00 pm
  
  Adults: $15
  Seniors/Youth:  $12
  
  Call 301-932-6819 for reservations!

• Tony Hungerford Memorial Gallery.  March 3-April 9, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, noon-5 p.m., and one hour before CSM performances. College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus, Fine Arts Center, 8730 Mitchell Rd., La Plata.  Free. CSM will feature members of its fine arts faculty when the Hungerford Gallery presents "Celebrating CSM Faculty: Larry Chappelear, Sue Chappelear, George Bedell and Andy Wodzianski." 301-934-7828 or 301-870-2309, Ext. 7828 for Charles County; 240-725-5499, Ext. 7828 for St. Mary's County; 443-550-6199, Ext. 7828 for Calvert County, or e-mail BxOffc@csmd.edu. www.csmd.edu/FineArts/..

The Charles County Arts Alliance and the College of Southern Maryland, Fine Arts Center are combining resources to bring a Flamenco Dance Concert to Charles County.  Mark your calendars for April 2, 2006 at 2:00 pm when the Ana Martinez y Paco de Malaga Flamenco Dance Company will present a festive afternoon of Hispanic dance and music.  Tickets are $10.00 for all ages and may be obtained by calling the CSM Box Office at 301-934-7828, 301-870-3008, ext. 7828, TDD 301-934-1188, or by sending an e-mail to boxoffc@csmd.edu.

Watch the Arts Insider and CCAA website for more information!

Mattawoman Creek Art Center (MCAC) artists

and Charles County Garden Club members

celebrate the season with a spring exhibit of art and flowers.
 

"Art Blooms at the Creek"

April 21 2006 - May 21, 2006

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
 

Reception with refreshments and entertainment

Sunday, April 23, 2006 from 1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.

 

"Silk Painting Made Easy" Demonstration by William Moses

Floral Demonstrations by

Charles County Garden Club Members


MCAC is located in Smallwood State Park,

Marbury, MD off Route 224 in Charles County

35 miles south of Washington, D.C.

Park fee is waived for MCAC visitors

(301) 743-5159

www.mattawomanart.org

MCAC receives support from Charles County Commissioners,

Charles County Arts Alliance, Maryland State Arts Council,

Benefactors and MCAC members

• EVENT:  Asian & Pacific Islander Festival
  
  DATE:  Saturday April 22, 2006
  
  TIME:  Noon - 5 PM
  
  LOCATION:  Westlake High School is in Waldorf, Maryland (Charles County).  Westlake HS is at 3300 Middletown Road -  just one mile west of the St. Charles Towne Center Mall.
  
  OVERVIEW:  Everyone is invited to experience the traditional cultures of, East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific at the 4^th annual Asian & Pacific Islander Festival.   Enjoy music and performances by Washington Korean Dance, Washington Toho Koto Society, Nen Daiko Tiako Japanese Drumming Ensemble, Halau O Na Halia Hawaiian Dancers, Chinese Lion Dancers of Tai Kim Kung Fu School, Mubahay Filipino Dancers, Traditional Dance of India performed by  Natyabhoomi School of Dance.  A special treat this year will be the reenactment of a traditional Korean wedding ceremony in full costume by members of the Korean American Association of Southern Maryland.  Health outreach representatives, vendors and Asian food will be available. Experience some of the pageantry of Asia here in Charles County.
  
  ADMISSION:  FREE for all ages
  
  The Asian and Pacific Island Festival is sponsored by the Black Leadership Council for Excellence in partnership with the Korean American Association of Southern Maryland and the Minority Achievement Committee at Westlake High School. Other CELEBRATIONS festivals include Festival de las Americas that was held on October 1, 2005 in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, and the JUNETEENTH Festival of African American, Caribbean, and African Cultures that will be held on June 17^th 2006.
  
  INFORMATION:  Vendors & others call the BLCE at 301-392-1775 for more information.

• Tony Hungerford Memorial Gallery
  
  April 14-May 28, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, noon-5 p.m., and one hour before CSM performances.
  College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus, Fine Arts Center, 8730 Mitchell Rd., La Plata.
  Free.
  
  CSM's Student Juried Show will feature works by CSM students during the year. Free Gallery Talk, awards
  presentation and reception April 18, noon.
  
  301-934-7828 or 301-870-2309, Ext. 7828 or BxOffc@csmd.edu. www.csmd.edu/FineArts/galleries/.

• United States Navy Concert Band. April 22, 8 p.m.
  
  College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus, Fine Arts Center Theater.
  
  Join the U.S. Navy Band for a night of patriotic songs. Admission is free.
  
  301-934-7828, 301-870-3008 or 301-884-8131, Ext. 7828 or BxOffc@csmd.edu.

• Theatre IV Presents "Jungle Book." April 28, 7:30 p.m.
  
  College of Southern Maryland, La Plata Campus, Fine Arts Center, 8730 Mitchell Rd., La Plata.
  
  Theatre IV will perform a musical adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic tale of Mowgli, a little boy
  who is raised by wolves, and his best friends Baloo the bear and Bahgeera the black panther. A theatrical
  experience for all ages. $12 all seats.
  
  301-934-7828 or 301-870-2309, Ext. 7828 or BxOffc@csmd.edu. www.csmd.edu/FineArts/.

Reservation on line at:  www.IndianHeadBlackBox.org available 24 hours

• Asian & Pacific Islander Festival
  
  Saturday April 22, 2006
  Noon - 5 PM
  
  Westlake High School is in Waldorf, Maryland (Charles County).  Westlake HS is at 3300 Middletown Road - just one mile west of the St. Charles Towne Center Mall.
   
  Everyone is invited to experience the traditional cultures of, East Asia, South Asia and the Pacific at the 4^th annual Asian & Pacific Islander Festival.   Enjoy music and performances by Washington Korean Dance, Washington Toho Koto Society, Nen Daiko Tiako Japanese Drumming Ensemble, Halau O' Na Halia Hawaiian Dancers, Chinese Lion Dancers of Tai Kim Kung Fu School, Mubahay Filipino Dancers, Traditional Dance of India performed by  Natyabhoomi School of Dance.  A special treat this year will be the reenactment of a traditional Korean wedding ceremony in full costume by members of the Korean American Association of Southern Maryland.  Health outreach representatives, vendors and Asian food will be available. Experience some of the pageantry of Asia here in Charles County.
  
  FREE for all ages
  
  
  The Asian and Pacific Island Festival is sponsored by the Black Leadership Council for Excellence in partnership with the Korean American Association of Southern Maryland and the Minority Achievement Committee at Westlake High School. Other CELEBRATIONS festivals include Festival de las Americas that was held on October 1, 2005 in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, and the JUNETEENTH Festival of African American, Caribbean, and African Cultures that will be held on June 17^th 2006.
  
  Vendors & others call the BLCE at 301-392-1775 for more information.

• Ballet Arts Academy
  at the Old Waldorf School
  
  The second in a trio of workshops open to the community, sponsored in part by an Arts in Communities grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.
  
  Stage Mime:  Creating a Character Without Words
  
  Instructor, Sherry Santana
  Saturday, April 22, 2006
  1:00 - 3:00 pm
  
  This workshop is appropriate for young and old (age 8 and up).  Participants should wear comfortable clothing, as movement will be incorporated into the activities.  Please wear dance slippers or non-marking shoes/sneakers. Bring water and a healthy snack.
  
  Workshop fee
  BAA students: $3
  Community members: $5
  
  To register and reserve your place, please call: Deborah Stanley
  240-346-5780
  
  The Ballet Arts Academy is located in the old Waldorf School (adjacent to the Waldorf Jaycees on Crain Hwy).

Gretchen Richie...Jazz Cabaret

'The Great American Songbook'

Price: NO COVER

Gretchen explores the popular music that makes up the 'Great American Songbook', joined by Randy Richie on keyboard and James Fowler on acoustic bass. This inviting French Cafe serves critically-acclaimed cuisine, located in the historic, waterfront town of Leonardtown. Reservations recommended.