PRESS RELEASES

This web log is for my own personal record. I am opening it up for public view though. Basically, I will write down any changes and updates that I have made to the website or any updated information I receive (like press releases that don't get published on the site).

Darren Serhal
NIETF Webmaster 2008 webmaster@nwindianatheatre.org

05/13/08

Portage Community Theatre, Inc.
P.O. Box 605
Portage, Indiana 46368
(219) 759-1408

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IN ALL EDITIONS
Contact: Shannon Stutler (219) 759-1408

Portage Community Theatre Announces May Meeting

Portage Community Theatre will be holding its monthly meeting at the Portage Yacht Club located at 1370 Indiana Route 249 on Thursday, May 15. The meeting will begin at 7:00 P.M. All are welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact (219) 759-1408.

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04/11/08

Beatniks on Conkey is pleased to welcome spring with LCTG on the Road's production of "Never Too Early for Shorts"  An eclectic collection of short plays and original works.  Performances are Friday and Sunday April the 18th and 20th, Friday and Saturday April 25th and 26th.  Shows are Friday and Saturdays at 8:00pm doors open at 7:00pm Sunday at 3:00pm doors open at 2:00pm.  The cost is $12.00 and as always refreshments are included.  Beatniks is located at 418 Conkey St in the way cool Hyde Park neighborhood of Hammond.  Contact Beatniks at 219-852-0848 or on the web at beatniksonconkey.com.

03/02/08

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Shannon Stutler
(219) 759-1408

Portage Community Theatre Announces Recent Events

During the recent annual meeting of Portage Community Theatre, the
organization elected a new Board of Directors. Congratulations are
extended to the new Board.

President: Shannon Stutler
Vice President: Sandy Hyde
Secretary: Daena Sisk
Treasurer: Tim Slatton
Member-at-Large: Tammy Barragan
Member-at-Large: Stacy Clarich
Member-at-Large: Chad Franks

The Directors of “A Night of Dramedy” held auditions to fill the roles of
the three 1-act plays. The cast can be found by visiting
www.portagecommunitytheatre.org. “A Night of Dramedy” will be April 25-27
and May 2-3 at the Portage Yacht Club.

For more information, please contact (219) 759-1408 or visit
www.portagecommunitytheatre.org.

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02/25/08

Unpaid Actors Happy with Inequity

For almost 100 years, professional actors worldwide have formed “equity”
organizations, unions that protected their interests. Now, an organization has been formed to support the world’s unpaid performers, “Actors’ Inequity.”

“Actors’ Inequity was established to provide free, or affordable, services to unpaid performers and small theaters. It also has a membership card that’s fun to show off!” said Brian Diehl, co-founder of Actors’ Inequity. The Actors’ Inequity membership card, or “Inequity Card,” is a parody of the “Equity Card” that so many professional actors are proud to carry.

“The idea came from a friend who was joking that unpaid actors deserved their own union,” Diehl noted, “so, I put together some resources that small theaters and aspiring actors might want.”

Those resources, found at www.actorsinequity.org, have become a growing pool of work for Diehl, as he is now continually designing free signs for theater lobbies and back stages, sample resumes and affordable show logos to help theaters promote shows without getting into copyright issues.

“I was thrilled to find a useful resource for myself and for the theaters I’ve been working with,” said Eric Oswald, a veteran Cleveland actor, “plus, the ‘Inequity card’ really cracked me up!” Oswald was one of the first people to receive an Actors’ Inequity membership following the site’s unofficial opening.

Even though Actors’ Inequity launches officially on March 1, 2008, through a January 10, 2008 “soft rollout,” the organization’s roster has already grown to more than 150 people. One show producer purchased 47 memberships for his entire cast and crew as a closing night gift. “Our growth has been a dream-come-true,” said Diehl, “I think that the amateur theatre community loves the inside joke of being able to say, ‘I’m Inequity.’ Apparently, they also love keeping me busy making new signs and designs!”

Diehl, 42, is a former director of marketing for a division of NEC America. He now owns his own creative and graphic design firm, Thinknik, which specializes in branding, positioning and marketing materials – not a far cry from the skills
necessary to put together Actors’ Inequity. This, combined with more than 35 years of paid and unpaid acting, has created a perfect storm for creativity.

As Actors’ Inequity grows, Diehl says he will continue to expand the free offerings and services to the unpaid acting community. “It’s an industry that has not been well supported,” he said, “and it’s about time for the unpaid actor to get a little limelight!”

The organization hopes that many of its members move into the professional world, allowing them to carry what the Actors’ Inequity web site refers to as a “more equitable card.” Diehl’s company, Thinknik, www.thinknik.com, was founded in 2005 to provide marketing and creative services for companies of all sizes. Prior to founding Thinknik, Diehl, and several cohorts from NEC America founded Ayalogic, a communications company in Akron, Ohio which won $2 million in venture capital funding. Diehl lives in Hudson, Ohio. He graduated from Kent State University and is an Eagle Scout.

Actors' Equity Association (AEA): a union representing U. S. theatre actors and
stage managers.

British Actors' Equity: a trade union representing UK artists, including actors,
singers, dancers, choreographers, stage managers, theatre directors and designers, variety and circus artists, television and radio presenters, walk-on and supporting artists, stunt performers and directors and theatre fight directors.

Canadian Actors' Equity Association: a professional association of performers,
directors, choreographers, fight directors and stage managers in English Canada who are engaged in live performance in theatre, opera and dance.
# # #

Eric Oswald (quoted above) may be reached at: 216.529.2800 or bigredeo@yahoo.com

Actors’ Inequity logo (high resolution) is available upon request:
bdiehl@actorsinequity.org

Actors’ Inequity is in no way associated with Actors’ Equity Association

02/21/08

Portage Community Theatre, Inc.
P.O. Box 605
Portage, Indiana 46368
(219) 759-1408

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE IN ALL EDITIONS

Contact: Sydney Hodsden
(219) 759-1408

Portage Community Theatre Announces February Meeting

Portage Community Theatre will be holding its monthly meeting at the
Portage Yacht Club located at 1370 Indiana Route 249 on Tuesday, February
26. The meeting will begin at 7:30 P.M. All are welcome to attend.

For more information, please contact (219) 759-1408.

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Portage Community Theatre, Inc.
P.O. Box 605
Portage, Indiana 46368
(219) 759-1408

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Daena Sisk
(219) 759-1408

Portage Community Theatre Announces Additional Auditions for
Upcoming Spring Plays

We are going to hold additional auditions on Wednesday, Feb. 27 beginning
at 7:00 at the Portage Yacht Club in the Superior Room. We are encouraging
all young men in the community to consider auditioning. No experience is
needed.
Portage Community Theatre will be doing 3, 1 act plays during “A Night of
Dramedy.”
Play titles are:

“The Devil's Parole" is a comedy by Eric Giancoli and calls for 2 men or 2
women.

Once every millennium, the Devil has a parole hearing with God to see
if he will be released from imprisonment in Hell. This time around the
Devil believes he's found a loophole.

"The Lost Elevator" is a comedy by Percival Wilde and calls for 6 men and
5 women.

An express elevator gets stuck between floors in a high rise building,
stranding an assortment of people who react to the situation in varied
ways. A wonderfully witty, beautifully drawn classic.

"Down Came The Rain" is a drama by Burgess Clark and calls for 2 young men.

Michael and younger brother Brucie -- who has been considered mentally
"slow" since birth -- venture out on a camping trip together. Brucie's
never-ending curiosity becomes increasingly unbearable to Michael,
especially when the questions involve the death of their mother. Down
Came the Rain is a touching, sad, and ultimately hopeful exploration
of two vastly different brothers, and how they navigate the delicacy
of family and truth.

Show dates will be April 25, 26, and 27 and May 2, 3, and 4.

For more information, please contact (219) 759-1408 or visit
www.portagecommunitytheatre.org.

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