In the spirit of unity and peace, Auburn Area Community Theatre and the Kreher Preserve are bringing back their special December event for our broader Auburn community to celebrate together. At three different performance events, there will be a series of staggered and timed walking small group tours with a guide on a well-lit and easy trail through the piney woods at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center. At 6-8 stations along the hour long trail, performers representing different organizations, traditions and cultures in the community, will share a song, spoken word or other performance with the tour group. Enchanting decorations, sweet treats and nature art projects round out the experience.
Performances: Friday, December 16th (12/16) from 5 – 8 PM and Saturday, December 17th (12/17) from 10 AM – 1 PM and from 5 – 8 PM.
Tickets will be on sale at beginning November 16. $7 each for ages 3 and up, and $75 to reserve an entire hour time slot.
Each timed group will have a maximum of 15 people, unless an entire slot has been purchased for up to 20 of your family and friends.
**Please arrive at the parking area 15 minutes prior to your ticketed time in order to allow time for traveling to the starting area of the Walk. The path is stroller friendly and easy walking.
***In case of rain, you will receive an email and your tickets will be shifted to Sunday, December 18th, with changes as needed.
Auburn Area Community Theatre is looking for reliable volunteer performers from a diverse representation of the local Auburn area community, and a variety of songs, instrumental pieces, or spoken word performances that are holiday, unity or culturally themed. Each performer will repeat one song/piece lasting 3-5 min, 9-10 times over a 2 hour period. Performance locations are outside in the woods, and will have lighting but most have no access to electricity, so must use battery powered speaker or acoustic accompaniment if needed. For these reasons, we will be selective about applicants, to create a varied, high quality and appropriate performance experience for audiences. Please keep these requirements in mind as you plan to apply, select a song/piece and a back-up choice, send a sample video, and when you receive our decision about whether your performance has been selected. Performers should be ages 16-up unless in a family or organizational grouping with an adult leader and we prefer solo or duet performers, with a maximum of 4 in a performing group because of space and sound limitations.
Performer applications/video auditions will open on October 3rd (10/3) and close on November 25th (11/25). A final cast list will be sent by email on December 1st (12/1)
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! We currently have all of our needs met, but take a look below and plan to help next time!
Ways to get involved in this event next year:
1. A performance that is holiday-themed or representative of your group’s traditions and culture. To maintain health and safety we ask for just 1-4 people, who will be able to distance from each other as they perform or belong to the same family or exposure group. Performers will not be asked to work all three shifts, but likely 1-2 times according to their preference and scheduling needs. They will need to perform their piece (3-5 min) approximately 10 times in a row with short breaks between, during a 2 hour time span. There is no electricity, so battery-operated Bluetooth speakers, acoustic accompaniment, or acapella performance is required. While all performances should be family-friendly, one performance will be daytime and some songs specifically catering to children will be needed for this. The trail is lined with string lights, and each station is a turnout on the trail with adequate space and will have a lantern on a post. Performers and their organization are encouraged to decorate their performance area, keeping in mind that it is outdoors, likely wet, and there is no electricity.
2. A tour guide assigned to a specific group of patrons. The guides walk through the trail with their group, introducing each “tour stop” with information AACT will supply about the performers, their organization, and their chosen song or piece. These guides also make sure that guests follow safety protocols and regulate the timing of groups on the trail. They will be equipped to maintain communication with organizers and each other by text, for timing, safety, and other needs. Most tour guides will only lead a group once during a shift and can work as many of the 3 shifts as their schedule allows.
Additional ways to participate:
– Parking and check-in volunteers during events
– Volunteers to set up lighting and other decorations the week before the event
– Donate baked goods, drinks, or decoration funds
– Donate decoration supplies or snow machine supplies
– Volunteers to lead craft and treat areas
To donate goods or volunteer time, or with questions please contact:
Cora Connelly
AACT Board member and Coordinator of Holiday Walk in the Woods
Cconnelly@auburnact.org, 334-703-3128