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Greeting, Players! I am your new editor, and I hope to bring you interesting and informative missives in the coming year. I would like to thank Claiborne Dawes for the terrific job she has done as editor for the past three years; she's set some pretty high standards for me to follow.

The Players are to be congratulated for their fine showing in the EMACT festival, where our entry, Sylvia, and individual Players, won a number of awards. Sylvia won one of the most coveted awards, "Best Ensemble," and was one of four finalists for "Best Production." Rik Pierce won the "Best Actor" award for his role in Sylvia; other cast members receiving accolades were Shana Dirik, and Phyllis Walters who were nominated for "Best Actress," and Patrick Cleary who was nominated for "Best Supporting Actor." The winner of the "Best Actress" award was our own Tillie Sweet for her work in Acme Theatre Productions "The Wall: a Pilgrimage." Her husband, Jack Sweet, appearing in the same production, was nominated for "Best Actor." Joseph Zamparelli Jr (who directed Sylvia) won the award for "Best Supporting Actor" for his role in God -- It's a Tough Job with the Harvard Community Theatre. The technical staff of Sylvia also shone brightly being nominated in several categories: Rick Shamal for Lighting: Trix Ingram, and Bill Butcher for Set Design; and Charlie Atherton for Makeup. All of these folks should feel very proud; three cheers for the excellent talent in our midst!

We have good news from Los Angeles where Birgitta Knuttgen (long time member who recently co-produced Forum) has just become a first time grandmother with the birth of Noah William Somer on May 19. Those of you who may remember Anika (nee Knuttgen) from C.C.H.S., magazine covers, and T.V. commercials, will be happy to know that the new mother is doing just fine. Birgitta will be back in town in a few weeks -- with baby pictures -- so look out!

Rick and Lida McGirr, Julie Dapper, and Joe Zamparelli Jr. will be appearing in two one-acts, Classic Acts/ Classic Hits, by Tennessee Williams, and then opening the dance floor to "California Dreamers," Rich McGirr's band, for an hour. Come sing, listen, dance, and laugh. The event takes place at Hovey Players, 9 Spring Street, Waltham on July 9, 10, 16, and 17 at 8:00 PM.

Frannie Huxley will be directing again for the Woods Hole Theatre Company's summer production, which will be Deathtrap. Performance dates are August 5,6, 12,13,14, 19, 20, and 21. Phone 508-540-6525 for reservation.

The Vokes Theatre's summer production of Phillip Barrie's The Philadelphia Story features two Concord Players: Rich White (Senex in Forum) playes the errant father, Seth Lord, and Ray Johnson is Uncle Willie Trace, who, in Ray's words, is "a dirty old man, and more fun than I've had since Morning's at Seven got us to Ireland for the IATA Festival in '83." Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, July 15-17, 22-24, and 29-31.

Recent Events: Cathie Regan appeared in a World Premier staged reading of an original full-length play by Lee Barton entitled A Darkling Plan, which was performed at the Winchester Players Annual Meeting on June 9th. Bill Reed (who was in Oklahoma and South Pacific) presented a seminar and discussion at the Concord Library on June15 entitled "Motivation, Productivity, and Happiness in the Workplace."

Rik Pierce, our multi-talented webmaster, sends along this plea: "I'm trying to keep the Players web site as up to date as possible. Everyone getting this newsletter may have a page on the site, which can include a small picture and a bio. Please take a few minutes to check out the members and check for your page. If you are not there and would like to be, please email me a bio and if you have a picture, either digitized you could email, or a snapshot you could mail, that would be great. Otherwise I'll try and catch you at 51 Walden sometime when I've got my camera with me. Also, if you want anything changed on your page, just email me...

The Play and Director Selection Committee needs to add one more member. Contact Jackson Royal if you're interested in joining or have questions.

From the Producers of Gypsy: "If you're planning to abandon Concord (or Arlington, Acton, etc.) for the Summer, and you'd like to audition for our Fall show, do mark down the audition dates, which are Monday August 23, Tue Aug 24, and callbacks on Thurs Aug 26."

Have you ever wondered how all of those great sets on the stage get created? You can find out by helping to create them yourself! There are lots of openings for jobs on the crews for Gypsy, particularly for carpenters and set painters. Work sessions to build the set will begin in October on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00 with pizza or sandwiches provided. The set will be interesting but not difficult to build, and the only skill you need is the ability to follow instructions; you will receive training. Set painting will take place on Saturdays and also some evenings at the painter's convenience. Whatever time you can give will be very helpful. Set construction is a lot of fun and this is a great way to get your feet wet and get involved behind the scenes on a show. Contact Claiborne Dawes or Peggy Elliott to volunteer or ask questions.

Please send me all your news for Newsletters. Sara@sb.org