Upstart Arts

NOT HIBERNATING

Howdy, Michelle here with a quick update. Really quick, like a brisk run out into the cold air to get some sun, then sprint back in for tea. 

No big news yet, as we are ALMOST ready to announce audition dates and locations for The Merry Wives of Windsor, and a space for most of our rehearsals. We are also working on our next fundraiser, a Kickstarter to raise money so we can stage The Merry Wives of Windsor this summer. Thanks to your support we have $500 in the bank, which is about 20% of what we are likely to need. What would you like to see us offer as rewards? Show shirts, picnic dinners, rehearsal in your backyard?

This is usually the time of year I hibernate and prepare to do Lunar New Year art. Instead, we've been busy behind the scenes, talking to insurance agents, friends, contacts, spreading the word about Upstart, researching things like Benefit Corporations and rediscovering important pieces of the recent past -- did you know I used to make stop motion animated films with puppets?

We will be announcing audition and rehearsal space information in February, with a Kickstarter soon after. Get excited for 2018. We are.

Upstarting

After the Upstart caroling event, we're ready to jump into the new year!

Gayle, Paige, Meredith and Paula spent a couple of hours on Dec. 23 caroling around downtown York. On a rainy Saturday, there weren't a lot of people around, but the ones who walked by as we took our art to public spaces smiled and waved. At Martin Library, a librarian invited us in for hot chocolate, then let us sing in the atrium -- amazing acoustics! Another spot with unexpectedly amazing acoustics: on Market Street outside the York Pretzel Co. The tall buildings really contain the sound, and the people eating pretzels and next door at The Roost seemed to really enjoy our carols, plus we each got a free pretzel out of it! There are a couple of videos on our Facebook page if you haven't seen them.

With our first public event under our belts, Upstart is looking ahead to this summer's performances of The Merry Wives of Windsor in local parks. We've already scheduled several dates, and we'll be opening at Pinchot State Park, as is our tradition. The park rangers I've talked to are very excited to have us, and there are just a few logistics to work out before we announce the full schedule. Most importantly, we need liability insurance to perform at the county parks, and I'm also looking for an indoor location for one performance, for those who must have air conditioning. We're also looking for a site for auditions and rehearsals. If you have a lead, let us know.

And we're applying to perform at the York Fringe Festival, which will be held at the end of August, during Yorkfest. We're working on an idea Theresa Strange had, involving some of our favorite Shakespearean scenes.

There are also some more fundraising ideas floating around that we'll be working on before auditions for Merry Wives. Things are getting busier behind the scenes so keep an eye on our Facebook page so you don't miss anything!