What is Running to Places?
Running to Places is a non-profit theatre company for middle and high school-aged artists to explore and hone their craft onstage and off. In addition to producing several big musicals and other theatrical pieces each year, we seek to provide opportunities for collaboration across all of Tompkins County - rural & city; public & private & home schooled. While excellent theatre is the desired product of Running to Places, it is also a vehicle by which individuals and communities grow. It was created by Joey Steinhagen to provide more theatre opportunities in and around Tompkins County, NY.
Is Running to Places a nonprofit organization?
Yes, we incorporated as a registered nonprofit organization in 2008. This is what allows you to make a tax-deductible contribution to help keep participation accessible to all of our area youth.
Why "Running to Places?"
When a stage manager calls "Places!" - it's time to do the show. You go to the spot from which you start - quickly (and quietly) – and eagerly wait for the curtain to rise. We hope the name captures the youthful, raw excitement of that moment. Not to mention that, since we don't have a permanent home, we literally will be running to places in the community to rehearse and perform. We're decentralized by design to emphasize the inclusive philosophy of our mission.
Who is involved in leading it?
Gail Belokur is the Co-Artistic Director with Joey Steinhagen, who is also the Resident Director. Todd Peterson is the Resident Choreographer.
Additionally we are frequently joined by other professionals and mentors from Ithaca College theatre program who work on productions and train middle and high school students on their respective crafts.
Learn more about the rest of who's who at R2P.
What does R2P do?
We produce a full season of shows – musicals, plays and variety shows with big casts, productions numbers, striking sets, complete orchestras, the works! They are performed, crewed, designed, and stage managed by young artists and mentors from across our area. Imagine a school musical that isn't limited to participation by the students of one school – plus the added artistry of professional theatre that our mentors bring to the mix.
Who is eligible to participate?
Our company members are middle and high school-aged (grades 6-8 and 9-12, respectively) performers, designers, technicians, pit musicians and stage managers. Shows are cast via a selective audition process. Other participants are accepted via an interview process. Get in touch to find out more.
What does it cost?
It costs R2P $1200 per participant per show. (Doing theatre with professionals leading, thoroughly designed sets, costumes, etc. is expensive!) After ticket sales, donations, grants, sponsorships, program ads, and fundraisers, There is still a hole in our budget to the tune of $400 per participant per show. Families are responsible for covering that through a combination of donations, fundraising, program ad solicitation, and/or sweat equity.
Participation in R2P does not require the writing of a check. There are many ways to cover the costs of creating a season of professionally produced shows – but without everyone contributing to the effort it wouldn't be possible.
You can make a donation now – it's fast, easy, and secure!
When do auditions happen?
Auditions occur annually at the beginning of October. We're also looking for designers, technicians, stage managers, and pit musicians, too, so let us know how you'd like to get involved.
When will productions happen?
Here's our 2011 Season:
Anything Goes: January 14-16 @ State Theatre
Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: February 25-27 @ Hangar Theatre
Spring Showcase: April 15-17 @ Hangar Theatre
Romeo & Juliet: May 20-22 @ State Theatre
Thoroughly Modern Millie: July 29-31 @ State Theatre
R&H's Cinderella: August 26-28 @ State Theatre
Will I still be able to do the shows at my school?
We try to time our productions to be complimentary to the most common school production schedules. We don't want to compete with school shows for casts, crews, etc. Rather, we want to support those productions by providing additional opportunities during the year for young theatre artists to practice their craft. The rehearsal process for our shows is significantly shorter than a typical school show, too and we publish the rehearsal timeframe far in advance to help you plan and decide what to do. (Check out the production calendar to see what we mean.)
Where do rehearsals and performances take place?
By design, we don't have a permanent home. As a community endeavor, we will rehearse and perform in various locations throughout the area ("running to places" – get it?). We rehearse in schools, community centers, church basements, etc. Performances take place at school auditoriums and professional theatre venues throughout the county. For 2011, all six of our mainstage shows will be either at the State Theatre or Hangar Theatre.
Is any training provided?
Running to Places isn't designed to be a "program" or a class. It is good old fashioned on-the-job training. We operate like a professional theatre company, so casts receive training in acting, singing, and dancing as part of the rehearsal process from the director, music director, and choreographer. Designers, technicians, and stage managers have skilled mentors to advance their knowledge of their respective crafts. This aspect is coordinated by Gail Belokur, Co-Artistic Director of Running to Places.