Volunteers Bluma Siegal and
Saul Wineman help JET artistic
director Evelyn Orbach.
Volunteers behind the scenes, and new programs,
smooth the way for the Jewish Ensemble Theatre.
PHOTOS BY GLENN TRIEST
SUZANNE CHESSLER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
tic director Evelyn Orbach and ded-
icated committee members.
"I would like to see theater avail-
able every day except during Sab-
bath and holidays," said Ms.
Orbach, who currently is working
on Project Youth, a program about
to take original shows to teen- agers
in the community. "We want to
bring the Jewish perspective while
communicating universal mes-
sages."
The debut offering, a musical
about generational differences, is
being written and will be present-
ed by Eden Cooper Sage and Mar-
shall Zweig, who have appeared in
several JET performances. Scott
Stern is composing music for the
May 15 premiere at Temple Israel.
Supported by a $1,000 grant from
the Oakland County Cultural Coun-
cil, Project Youth will seek the par-
ticipation of young actors and
actresses at each performance lo-
cale.
"We want to make people more
aware ofJET and develop an inter-
est among younger audiences," said
Marci Benson, an account super-
visor for J. Walter Thompson and
co-chairman of marketing for JET.
mostly-new Jewish Ensemble Theatre (JET) cast "Young people can grow with the theater."
is preparing to stage the final play of the compa-
Ms. Benson is creating a new advertising cam-
ny's sixth season — Golden Boy. At the same paign to attract fans under age 50 inside and out-
time, a group of volunteers is preparing to stage side of the Jewish community.
activities that will keep the JET spotlight shin-
Bluma Siegal, who acted in college and with non-
ing through this production and many to follow. professional shows at the JCC, also works on JET's
The cast, under the direction of Robert Gross- marketing and advertising.
man, is bringing a contemporary, multi-racial
Ms. Siegal produces the program book and plans
approach to Clifford Odets' 1937 script, which ad campaigns for each production. While she seeks
will be performed April 26-May 21 at the new advertisers, she reports that prospective ad
Maple-Drake Jewish Community Center (JCC).
buyers are starting to approach her.
A troupe of volunteers — some 100 members of
"I love being behind the scenes," said Ms. Siegal,
the policy-making board and the theater-support- whose own career involves planning advertising
ing Jet Set — are bringing updated performance for stores and shopping malls. "I like the people in-
and fund-raising initiatives to attract a wider au- volved, and I'm very proud of the plays we have pre-
dience.
sented. I think that JET is going to be a very strong
Touring productions for teen-agers and children, outlet for theater in the area."
an acting conservatory and a laboratory for play-
The next project aimed at strengthening the the-
wrights have become the shared vision ofJET artis- ater is tentatively slated for next spring — a con-
servatory to train actors and actresses. There will
be sessions for adults and youngsters.
After that, more attention will be given to novice
playwrights. Just as Kitty Dubin's play Change
of Life was introduced as a staged reading before
coming back to JET as a successful, full production,
other scripts will be nurtured, only with an addi-
tional phase. Workshop sessions will be designed
to help smooth out any rough spots.
While JET looks to government and foundations
for grants, volunteers explore ways to bring in ad-
ditional dollars.
DeDe Weinberg, who helps steer JET's fund-rais-
ing, thinks of her responsibilities as a way of per-
petuating Jewish culture. Interested in Jewish stage
subjects beyond JET, she recently organized a din-
ner-theater party to see the Sisters Rosensweig at
the Fisher.
A raffle is the next project she will promote with
other theater volunteers. A drawing on May 21, the
last day of the run of Golden Boy, gives raffle tick-
et holders a chance to win cash prizes.
Regene Schmier manages the concession stand
and also plans special events. Before she became a
JET enthusiast, she was a member of the Under-
studies, the volunteer group promoting the Hilber-
ry Theatre.
"I think that theater is a very important part of
our community," said Ms. Schmier, who also co-
ordinates the ushers for each play. "JET has a very
important role in giving a platform to new Jewish
authors."
With the idea that contributing to JET provides
a way for people to mark special occasions, Ms.
Schmier has designed a new tribute card. Last year,
she organized a fund-raising dinner party with
an Italian theme, and this year she is changing to
a Chinese setting. The event is scheduled for May
16 at the Hoa Kow Inn.
On the artistic side, volunteer Saul Wineman, a
founding member ofJET and an announcer for pub-
lic television, has consistently looked for quality
scripts as chairman of the play-reading committee.
"My interest is aesthetic," he said. "I question
how each play relates to the mission of the theater,
its value to the community and whatever it means
to call it a good play." ❑
fl For information about, "Golden Boy," which runs
April 26 - May 21 at the Maple-Drake JCC, or to play
a role in any JET activity, call 788-2900.
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