Press Release

The High Desert Community Theater is proud to announce the dates of our next production. 

Love thy Neighbor by Gary Ray Stapp
Dates: Friday & Saturday November 18th & 19th
Time: 7pm
Date: Sunday November 20th
Time: 2pm
Location: Culver High School - Multi-purpose room

Love thy Neighbor, is a family friendly comedy, set in small town USA, with some extremely colorful characters.

     "Armed with a sharply judgmental attitude and a pair of binoculars, homeowner Leona Crump is consumed with anxiety over her new neighbors.  Will they be California beatniks?  Or paroled drug pushers?  Or more frightening yet, perhaps someone with children?!
     Her worst fears are realized when an odd-ball "hill-folk" family moves in across the street.  Leona quickly realizes that neither God, nor her favorite telephone psychic, has prepared her for the series of showdowns set to take place in her living room.  Gafina, an obnoxious, gum-chewing woman, together with her 'Maw' an old hillbetty crone; Gafina's simple-minded, love-struck boyfriend, Turner; and her 'trampy' sister Bambi, turn Leona's neighborhood upside down.  Threatened by the over-zealous friendliness of Gafina and 'romanced' by the disgusting Turner, Leona vows to purge them from her cul-de-sac.  But she has no support from her husband, the epitome of the couch potato, nor her other neighbor Judy, who is as sweet as pie and about as bright.
     Adding to Leona's exasperation are her daily dealings with her refrigerator-raiding neighbor Paul, the local real estate saleswoman, the mailman, an Avon lady, a police officer and a paper girl, all, she is sure, who were only put on this earth to annoy her.  Outnumbered, but refusing to be outmatched, Leona suits up in fatigues and resolves to 'mop up' the new neighbors all on her own.  Ultimately, it's a flock of pink flamingos that drives her over the edge and lands her in the local jail.  But in the end, will she be victorious and drive her new neighbors away?  Maybe, maybe not--it all depends on her weedeater!"

     The Director Steve Gibson has been a performer in various productions over the years, and is the Vice President of the High Desert Community Theater Guild.
     The multi-aged cast and crew are all very dedicated volunteers who are committed to upholding the stated goal of the HDCT by providing an opportunity for the local community to gather together and laugh out loud.
      The performances are free to the public, donations will be accepted and all proceeds go strictly into the coffers for future productions.

The cast:

 Top Row: Gafina-Teri Drew, Judy-Rachel Mendzona, Paul-Clay Gibson, Officer Doonan-Garreth Davis, Rose-Donna McCormack, Ava-Kimberly Strong, Albert-Zeb Bemrose.  Bottom Row:  Papergirl-Amythest Gibson, Turner-Garrett Campbell, Leona-Marsha Casey, George-Bill Ferguson

The game is afoot! Shall we play?

Rehearsals have begun for the upcoming performance of  'Love thy Neighbor' by Gary Ray Stapp
  Our director Steve Gibson and all the actors are having a great time developing their characters, and creating hilarious scenes that are sure to delight the audience.  
And now, we need you!  Our vision for the HDCTGuild is to build a community that will join forces to bring each production to life.  After last years Spring production many community members came to me with a variation of this statement: "I'm not an actor, but this is a great thing your trying to do, how can I help?."
Here's how you can help, following is a list of the things and/or people still needed to bring this current production to life.  There are various opportunities, and the more help we get the easier it will be for all. 

STILL NEEDED:

PRODUCTION LEAD: (Will act as the lead coordinator of the production crew.  Will meet with the director and then work directly with the team to bring the play to life.)

     PRODUCTION CREW:

• SET/STRUCTURE & DESIGN TEAM - (Will modify, as needed the set structure, and help gather the large props. Ie. couch, table & chairs, desk.)
• SOUND TECH - (Will set up, maintain and monitor the sound equipment during rehearsals and the production.  May also include Sound Effects)
• LIGHTING TECH - (Will set up, maintain and manage the lighting during rehearsals and the production.)
• STAGE CREW - (Will maintain the set, by changing necessary items between scenes during rehearsals and the production, and hand out playbills on production nights.)
• REFRESHMENTS TEAM - (Will gather, coordinate, and serve refreshments at the productions)

POSITIONS FILLED:

• DIRECTOR - STEVE GIBSON
• PROPS/COORDINATOR - KIMBERLY (Will work directly with the actors, set designer, and production lead to gather all necessary props needed for the set and the scenes.)
• COSTUMES - KIMBERLY (Will work directly with the actors to gather all costume needs according to the directors vision.)  

Please contact Kimberly at highdesertcommunitytheater@gmail.com for further information or to volunteer.