What is Running to Places?
Running to Places is a non-profit theatre company primarily 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. Mike Wade is the Resident Music Director, and Tyler M. Perry is the Resident Designer.
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 season of fully produced shows – big dance numbers, striking sets, complete orchestras, the works! We build community through the creation of great theatre, primarily performed by young artists from across our area. Imagine your dream 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 primarily 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 around $1700 per participant per show to do what we do. After all, operating as a professional theatre company means paying the professionals who contribute their time and talent for their work. After ticket sales, donations, grants, sponsorships, program ads, and fundraisers, There is still a hole in our budget to the tune of $500 per participant per show. This is how we arrive at the tuition cost for each participant per show.
Are scholarships available?
Absolutely! Scholarships based on clear guidelines, for standardized amounts, with easy proof of eligibilty! (As well as some other scholarship dollars as able.) Please see the “Participation Contract” for an income table which indicates if you are automatically eligible for a scholarship. The section above entitled “What level of scholarship might I expect?” provides information on what these scholarship levels mean in actual dollars. Additionally, the “Participation Contract” gives you the chance to indicate if you have circumstances (outside of income) which make a scholarship necessary. We are working hard to secure scholarship donors and will divide the funds as able; those participating in multiple show will have the highest priority for these extra scholarship dollars.
You can make a donation now to support scholarships – it's fast, easy, and secure!
When do auditions happen?
Auditions occur annually at the beginning of the fall. This year, auditions were held on September 8-9 to cast the first three shows of the season. Additional auditions will be held in early Spring to complete the cast of Honk! and cast the two summer shows. Complete information about auditions and to sign up for a slot is found here. 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 2012-13 Season:
- A Christmas Carol: December 15-16
• Annie: January 11-13
• Honk!: May 24-25
• The Wedding Singer: July 12-14
• Into the Woods: August 16-18
All shows will be performed at the State Theatre of Ithaca.
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 – often at the Ithaca Youth Bureau. Performances take place at school auditoriums and professional theatre venues throughout the county. For 2012-13, all shows will be performed at the State Theatre of Ithaca.
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 are skilled mentors to advance the knowledge of their respective crafts to interested students. This aspect is coordinated by Gail Belokur, Co-Artistic Director of Running to Places. We may also hold workshops throughout the year.