NextStage/Next steps: Shuffle, Ball-change!

Shuffle, Ball-Change! Those words come straight from Tap dance and they are so appropriate as we begin our next 10 years on July 1.

NextStage Productions is ready to SHUFFLE and add new board members and volunteers ready to build creative energy and add exciting new programs

BALL-CHANGE is the fall-back step followed by a lively step forward. Carole English, past president, and her Gala team put together a wonderful Anniversary gathering.  We reunited with so many NextStage friends and founders and looked back at 10 years. “Hats Off” to Lynn Knudsen, supreme Tap dancer, visionary and ball of energy that created NextStage Productions. It was wonderful to celebrate with you and all our friends.

Now it’s time to take the step forward into the next decades and make the necessary changes required to continue as an organization. That includes finding new board members. We must fill empty positions in order to keep our 501c3 standing and you, our membership, know how important our mission is to ENGAGE, EDUCATE AND EMPOWER through the expressive arts. Let’s meet for lunch or coffee to discover what role is meant for you. We can create shared positions. No one is expected to “carry the load”.

We ask each of you to think of what NextStage Productions has meant for you and graciously consider becoming a member of the board. Contact 408-357-0640.

COME BE A PART OF THE TEAM!!!  Without you we become a footnote in history.

- Kathryn Adkins

NextStage 10 Year Anniversary Gala

After months of planning, the day finally arrived!  April 17th, NextStage celebrated its tenth anniversary with a Gala, held at the Seascape Golf Club. This was an opportunity to not only celebrate our past achievements, but to recognize and honor those who worked so hard to found NextStage. 

Nancy Maley, Jeremy Griffey, Carole English 

Lynn Knudsen, a dynamo of a woman, and her friends Mary Roitz, Kathryn Adkins and Carole English, took ideas gleaned from an Oakland based group called Stagebridge, and together, created NextStage. They wanted to create a place where those over the age of fifty-five, could learn, practice performance skills and take musical revues out to those living in retirement
communities.

Terence Courreault, Catt Porter, Ron Locey “Three of a Kind”

Valerie Arno, Maggie Pierce, Stan Grindstaff, Ellen Mazaika, Patrick True 
Perform from a previous show, “Razzle Dazzle”

Taking shows “on the road” has always set NextStage apart from other senior performing groups and it continues to be committed to that program.
 
Looking back over the years, NextStage can be proud of what it has accomplished. It has been able to provide musical entertainment throughout the year, with solo or duet singers, a large cast musical revues, a July4th Patriotic show, a children’s show performed in the schools, and a special holiday show at the end of every year. During Covid, Readers Theater was created, allowing over fifty performers acted out twenty seven plays on Zoom complete with costumes and props! Post-Covid, those plays have now gone live with ten performances each year for the past three years.

Maureen Barber, one of the original players

Ellen Mazaika, Maggie Piece, Brian Heath (now 93), Catt Porter, Terence Coureault
– some of the original Beatles Cast.

NextStage’s Taiko Drumming Program for those with Parkinson’s disease, continues to be very successful and much enjoyed by many weekly participants. NextStage has even taken a favorite children’s’ play, Piggie Pie, and performed in fantastic, wonderful costumes, at various schools in the area.

Parkinson participants with leader Ellen Mazaika

Around one hundred and ten guests made the effort to attend the Gala. It was simply wonderful to reconnect with some players who had not been seen since before Covid.
 
Everyone was delighted that Lynn, our visionary and founder, was able to drive up from southern California, to celebrate with everyone. Lynn spent fourteen years  on Broadway, dancing and tapping her way to Fosse music and that spirit continues to live in her even at 83 years of age!  

Lynn Kundsen (original founder age 83 ) and Mary Roitz (a co-founder age 91)

NextStage is  continuing Lynn’s vision and wish she could be with us for our next projects. We have a class coming up “Voice for any Age,” an Open Mic to support Veterans and starring many of our NSP players (May 11) and an acting class later in the spring.  In the Fall, NextStage will have a second annual Storytelling class and performance and then it will be time to rehearse for the annual holiday show.

Terence Coureault and Janet Mastropietro. Terence has been with NSP since the beginning and is our musical maestro for most of our traveling shows.

Faith Zack (our social media wizard), Kathryn Adkins, (President) Colleen Stobbe (secretary extraordinaire) Risa Lower, co leader of Parkinson’s Program, grant writer and official photographer.

We have so much to be grateful for and so much to anticipate going forward.  Please join us for one or all of the forthcoming activities.

I'm Looking Over A Four-Leaf Clover

“I’m looking over a four-leaf clover that I overlooked before.”

This jaunty 1920’s song puts a smile on our face with thoughts of luck and joy discovered in simple actions. NextStage has a 4-leaf clover. What are the four leaves of the NSP clover?

• One is to forward this NSP newsletter to a friend who needs connection.

• Two is to volunteer as a board member or audition for a show.

• Three is to attend a class or workshop.

• Four is to donate through our NSP website, www.nextstagesantacruz.org

From the 1920’s to Willie Nelson and the Rainbow Connection to today.

“There’s no need explaining, the one remaining is somebody I(we) adore.”

- Kathryn Adkins

Here Comes The Sun

Mother Nature has once again shown us the way to create a deep cleaning with lots of water. What is revealed is brilliantly revealed. And so it is with NextStage.

2024 is our 10th Anniversary. We will be remembering the past and then embarking on a shining new path with more opportunities to polish our creative skills, renew our sense of empowerment and strengthen our connection with others.

We begin with Readers Theater performances already in rehearsals, followed by a vocal care workshop with Joanne Cazden. This summer schedule includes a creativity releasing workshop with Cindy Gorski and auditions for the September storytelling event directed by Brad Roades.

More will be coming. Watch for the dates and events. Don’t miss the fun and excitement!

- Kathryn Adkins

Spotlight on Julie Lorraine

I grew up in San Francisco and as a kid, I had the run of the city, being able to hop on a bus and go anywhere. My sister and I were involved in the San Francisco Children’s Opera, participating in Fairy tale plays with lyrics and libretto produced by Norbert and Hetty Gingold. As I entered High School,  we moved to Karlsruhe, Germany since my Dad was stationed there with the U.S. Army. Having the opportunity to travel in Europe helped me gain awareness of multi-cultural perspective.  I have sung in community choirs (currently Fiat Musica) most of my adult life, and it brings me a great deal of joy.  I am part of a book club, which meets monthly and have had an opportunity to expand the range of authors and genres I have encountered. I love hiking, and being physical as much as possible.

With degrees in Special Education, I taught with both the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and Pajaro District for many years. I learned a great deal from the children and their families, which has stood me in good stead in my current situation.

These days, you can find me involved in many activities designed for people living with Parkinson’s Disease. I serve as President of the Board of Directors of EASE PD (Exercise, Activities, Support and Education for Parkinson’s Disease). Whether it be Taiko, Voice and Movement, or attending NSP events, collaboration with NextStage has made a big impact on my life.  I have seen the effect of these classes, as they not only combat isolation, and promote community, but preserve skills and generate new cognitive pathways in staying healthy and fighting for the best quality of life possible. My husband, Barry, is an active participant with NextStage sponsored classes.

I love the NextStage people who give so much of themselves to boost the lives of people living with a chronic, neurological, progressive disease.  Their optimism and enthusiasm are infectious and speaks to the power of community. They see people as individuals each with unique needs that can be enhanced!