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Valentine's Day is almost here... Call the box office at (707) 462-9226 to order your singing gram today. |
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Esteemed Jim Williams to Direct WCT & UPT Collaboration |
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I met up with Jim Williams last week at Black Oak Coffee Roaster to discuss Clarence Darrow, an American lawyer and leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union. Jim will be directing a one-man play about Clarence Darrow as a fundraiser to benefit both Willits Community Theatre and Ukiah Players Theatre. Jim is well known and beloved in Mendocino County and in the theatre community. If you haven’t met Jim, I hope you get the opportunity because it was a real joy to meet and talk with him. |
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Jim is a retired educator for special education and currently volunteers for the Meals on Wheels program where volunteers, including himself and his wife, deliver meals and provide social connections to homebound seniors in the Ukiah Valley. Jim talked to me about the importance of social connections and why “live theatre is vital to a healthy community and to democracy itself.” Jim says, “It’s much more than escapist entertainment although there is something to be said about that benefit as well. I’m not a total dramatic theater snob; but...live theater has always been a public space where people come together to connect and consider the important universal themes of life.” |
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Jim was introduced to live theatre in High School but didn’t get fully involved himself till his mid-thirties. At that time, an opportunity arose for him to be cast in his favorite musical, Man of La Mancha. Despite “not being a singer” as Jim said, he was cast as Padre in the 1986 production at Mendocino College. Jim valued the opportunity, embraced the theatre community, and started spending his time doing theatre at both the college and Ukiah Players Theatre. However, it wasn’t until 1992 with his role of Elwood P. Down in Harvey, did Jim really start digging into the importance of social connection between an actor and the audience. |
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Now thirty years later, with 50 local theatre shows under his belt, Jim is looking to cast and direct someone who can embrace the role of Clarence Darrow and effortlessly connect with the audience. “This is an important, relevant and timely piece of theater “Jim says. “By spending 90 minutes with “him” I hope audiences will ask themselves important questions, will be inspired to believe that hope is still a possibility, that discussions about justice and the courage to challenge injustice is worth the effort.” |
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Throughout this play, you will see reminisces of Darrow’s life and the famous trials in his career including, The State of Tennessee vs. John T. Scopes trial and the Leopold and Loeb case. “There are moments to laugh and moments to consider what it means to be human”, says Jim. “That is why I am looking for a good storyteller, someone who can easily and effortlessly connect with people, someone with acting range and experience, who has the ability to make quick often subtle emotional transitions. Someone who can relate to the material strongly enough to be willing to do the work necessary to memorize a whole, whole lot of words. Someone who can make me believe they mean what they are saying. It’s a challenge, but for the right person it’s a tremendous opportunity and will be a wonderful experience.” “I can’t wait to discover who our Clarence Darrow will be.” Auditions: (By Appointment Only) Saturday, March 19th Ukiah Players Theatre 707-462-9226 Sunday, March 20th Willits Community Theatre 707-459-0895 Scripts: Available February 21st (Call 707-462-9226 to arrange pick-up) Performances: September 2nd - 4th Willits Community Theatre September 8th - 11th Ukiah Players Theatre P.S. Don’t miss Jim playing Egeus in Midsummer Night’s Dream at Mendocino College this weekend! |
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Thank You To Our Season Underwriters: John Chan Plumbing Black Oak Coffee Roasters Ukiah Brewing Company Polished Concrete Concepts If you or your business would like to be a season underwriter please email Amanda McCarthy at amanda@ukiahplayerstheatre.org |
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