Behind the Scenes at the Opera House: Matt Dane & Anastasia Antonacos

This summer’s 9-concert Chamber at the Church series continues this coming Tuesday, June 30 with the extremely talented Matt Dane and Anastasia Antonacos. But before you settle into the transcendent tunes, get to know them a bit better….

MATT DANE

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Bangor and Orono.

How would your elementary school classmates remember you?

I think that my elementary school classmates at Fruit St. School would remember me as fairly shy and a good speller, who liked to play wall-ball at recess.

When did you fall in love with music?

My first memory of the power of music was hearing the Bangor Symphony play Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. It scared me! I really began to love music when I got to know and play string quartets in junior high school.

ANASTASIA ANTONACOS

Where did you grow up?

Although I lived in Houston, London, Vermont, and Saudi Arabia as a young kid, I grew up in Saco from the age of 7 on.

How would your elementary school classmates remember you?

Probably a mix of nerdy & a fun-loving kid who loved to be outside.

Name four fictional characters with whom you’d be okay being stuck in an elevator. Why them?

Aslan from Narnia (been reading through the Narnia series with my daughter), because he would make me feel ok about being stuck in an elevator; Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird for similar reasons; Liz Lemon from “30 Rock” because she’d keep me entertained; Jo from Little Women (semi-fictional) because she’d be fun to make up stories with & while away the time.

If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

Wonder Woman, of course!

When did you fall in love with music?

When I was 12, at a concert of young chamber musicians, who were all having so much fun and sounding great!  (Matt Dane may have actually been one of the teenagers in that concert.)

Matt and Anastasia will be at the Burnt Cove Church, Tuesday, June 30 at 7pm, performing Glimpses Beyond in celebration of the summer solstice. Get your tickets while you still can!

Throwback Thursday

The very talented Kathleen Turco-Lyon, Tommy Piper and Craig Baldwin in OHA’s 2011 production of Elizabeth Rex, directed by Peter Richards.

Peter, Kathleen, Tommy and Craig are teaming up again this summer in the seashore production of Chekhov’s dark comedy, The Seagull - July 10-12, 16-19 and 23-26. Seating is limited at breathtaking Ames Farm, so click here get your tickets today!

Behind the Scenes: Rachel Calter

So many things are happening here! Pretty much all the things. Chamber at the Church launched this week with a fantastic sold-out show from Max Treitler and Paul Sullivan, and this coming Wednesday is the season's first Live! for $5 with the extremely talented Saline Fiddlers. Rehearsals for exciting oceanside performances of Chekhov's The Seagull, directed by Peter Richards, are about to kick off. Not to mention, Sunday is the first official day of summer. Are you all as excited as we are?

Well, things are about to get even better, because it's time to get to know this summer's Stage Manager, the lovely Rachel Calter.

1. Where did you grow up?

Actually, I lived in five states (Massachusetts, California, Virginia, New York, & Connecticut) before I was twelve, but my family resides mostly in Connecticut now.

 2. How would your elementary school classmates remember you?

Oh, man. Where was I in elementary school? That’s the real question. I was definitely the leader of all the outdoor recess games. I was the kid always running around and convincing the other kids to play the games that I wanted to play. I saw the movie of Cats the Musical and made up a game about it that they all had to play, so they probably remember me for that. Also, my mom was a teacher at the school.

 3. Name four fictional character with whom you’d be okay being stuck in an elevator. Why them?

Albus Dumbledore (from Harry Potter) because I think he would have really great stories to tell me.

Antigone (from Antigone) because she would be a total badass and I would probably want to do a bunch of terrible plans if I was with her…but it would be interesting.

Poussey (from Orange is the New Black) because she is so sweet and cares so much about everyone and I kind of have a crush on her.

The parents from Spy Kids because it was my goal in life to be a spy from Spy Kids when I was younger and I could learn amazing things from them.

 4. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

There are so many cartoon cats in the world and I don’t know which one I’d be, but I’d definitely be a cartoon cat. Maybe one of the kittens from the Aristocats....

 5. What are you most looking forward to about working at the Opera House?

I’m definitely looking forward to doing the site-specific Seagull. As a stage manager, I like new challenges and problem solving and this is a whole different kind of problem solving for me. I also love working with all the interns – really, all the people here, interns, staff, Equity actors. It’s such a great, interesting group.

Rachel and Assistant Stage Manager Emma Grace will be keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes of The Seagull. Come admire all their hard work, July 10 through July 26.

Behind the Scenes: Meet the Interns!

The summer season is officially off the ground! We saw a full house at this past Wednesday’s performance of My Mother’s Clothes Are Not My Mother and the Chamber at the Church series kicks off next Tuesday with Max Treitler and Paul Sullivan. Not to mention the special screening of Maine funny man Michael Miclon’sRichard3 next Wednesday! The sun is (finally) shining and OHA is rocking, rolling and very thankful for this summer’s amazing crop of interns…

CALLIE JACKS

1. Where did you grow up?
I have lived in Cincinnati, Ohio for most of my life, but I was born in North Carolina. Currently, I go boarding school in McLean, Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C., so that is where I spend most of the year.

2. What’s one word your friends would use to describe you?

Creative or energetic.

3. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

I would probably be Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service. She’s spunky, adventurous, and knows what she wants. She doesn’t let other people get in the way of her goals. Also, I am obsessed with her red hair bow.

4. What are you most excited to do during your OHA summer?
I am really excited to sort screws, a favorite job of the interns. No, I am really excited to work with a bunch of cool people to create amazing shows.

CAROLINE SANTILLI

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Haverford and Newtown Square, Pennsylvania but I spent every summer up in Little Deer Isle, Maine.

2. What’s one word your friends would use to describe you?

Passionate on a good day.

3. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

I would definitely have to choose Eliza Thornberry because she can talk to animals.

4. What are you most excited to do during your OHA summer?

I am mostly excited to meet a lot of new people who share my interests and become a part of the art community of Deer Isle.

GWEN HIGGINS

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Sandy Point, Maine – a town so small that we don’t even really count as a town anymore. I previously went to school in Searsport, Maine.

2. What’s one word your friends would use to describe you?

I believe they might consider me witty, possibly even facetious at times.

3. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

Pepper Ann. She was my childhood, and I can’t help but think she somehow influenced me to become the independent and free-minded young woman I am today, all with an underlying tone of 90s-grown feminism.

4. What are you most excited to do during your OHA summer?

I’m really looking forward to taking what I’ve learned at my university and applying it outside of the academic setting. Also getting to branch out from my usual, comfortable theatre settings is going to be an interesting experience.

JACK LAWLOR

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Salem, New Hampshire

2. What’s one word your friends would use to describe you?

Careful…

3. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

I would definitely be Squidward. No doubt or hesitation there.

4. What are you most excited to do during your OHA summer?

I am excited to get further my tech skills, and work with all the lovely people at the Opera House for another wonderful summer!

JESSICA WALKER

1. Where did you grow up?

I’ve grown up in Orono, Maine, but have spent almost all of my summers in South Brooksville, which I consider to be my second home.

2. What’s one word your friends would use to describe you?

Effervescent!

3. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

I would probably be Belle from Beauty and the Beast, because I love to read and find myself humming a tune everywhere I go!

4. What are you most excited to do during your OHA summer?

This summer I am super excited for the opportunity to work with such a creative and talented group of people! The work done at OHA is so incredible, and I am thrilled to be a part of it!

MARVIN MERRITT

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up on Deer Isle.

2. What’s one word your friends would use to describe you?

Loud.

3. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

I would be Marvin the Martian, solely because we have the same name.

4. What are you most excited to do during your OHA summer?

I am excited to create new relationships with actors, as well as other interns; I am also eager to be a part of this transformative summer for not only the physical space, but also the people within the Opera House.

Throwback Thursday

In 2013, Bridgman|Packer dance enchanted OHA audiences with the video/dance magic of Voyeur.

Art Bridgman and Myrna Packer are returning July 16-19 with new multimedia performances of TRUCK and Remembering What Never Happened. Tickets are available now both online and by calling the box office, 207-367-2788.

Throwback Thursday

Michael Miclon and Shane Miclon wowed the crowds with their juggling in OHA’s 201210 Real Star Acts. Photo by Karen Gallela. 

Michael will be back at the Opera House next Wednesday, June 17 at 7pm to screen his directorial debut of Richard3, a comedic film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Richard III. Don’t miss this gleefully absurd story of the famed hunchback maniacal king who murders his way to the top!

Behind the Scenes: Lily Felsenthal and Emma Grace

Regardless of our current sweater-clad days, summer is coming – and with it,exciting, busy days for the Opera House. Thankfully, we’ve called in some amazing reinforcements in the forms of Intern Coordinator extraordinaire Lily Felsenthal and Emma Grace Keenan, our magnificent Assistant Stage Manager.

Here’s what they had to say when faced with our hard-hitting questions…

LILY FELSENTHAL 

1. Where did you grow up?

I grew up just outside of Washington, D.C. in a town called Silver Spring, Maryland, whose claim to fame is that a road sign bearing its name inspired Stevie Nicks to write the seminal classic “Silver Springs” when she saw it while driving on the interstate with Lindsey Buckingham.

2. How would your elementary school classmates remember you?

I’m not sure if they would– I was a very shy and quiet child. I spent a lot of time crying about my feelings. At 12, I was cast as the evil villain in a summer theater camp production of an original play based on Hieronymous Bosch’s Haywain Triptych, which gave me a burst of weird confidence that helped me come into my own.

3. Name four fictional characters with whom you’d be okay being stuck in an elevator. Why them?

Dana Scully from The X Files, who I would trust my life with in any perilous situation.

Ferdinand the Bull because I respect his general chill attitude in stressful situations and I think that would be a good energy to have around when stuck in an elevator.

Han Solo would get us out of there for sure.

Titania, Queen of the Faeries because she’s rad and I’d like to ask her a few things, specifically about moths and constellations.

4. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

Definitely Tintin. I have blonde hair that often sticks up in funny ways and I like to write and wear sweaters. Also I’m scrappy.

5. What are you most looking forward to about working at the Opera House?

Being part of an incredible team in such a staggeringly beautiful place. Just kidding, it’s definitely the free popcorn.

EMMA GRACE KEENAN

1. Where did you grow up?

I was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts but spent most of my childhood until college in Holliston, Massachusetts. It’s quiet, suburban, and incidentally the hometown of Producing Artistic Director Meg Taintor, so it must be pretty cool.

2. How would your elementary school classmates remember you?

Inseparable from Ellie, my beat-up stuffed security elephant that I clung to loyally because I was so painfully shy. They’ll probably also remember that I said sorry too much, although I guess that isn’t surprising! I was a tiny little blonde girl with a squeaky voice, and I went through a phase where I only wore black leggings, huge turtlenecks, and clogs. I loved to read and spell, competitively – I always wanted to be in the top spellers of the school and make my reading log be the longest, so I would practice inside during recess. When the teachers made me go outside, I would come up with elaborate games to make my friends play, and then write short stories about it. The one I remember the most was “Animal Rescuers,” where I made everyone cover their eyes while I hid stuffed animals around the playground and then gave them ten minutes to find them all before they became extinct. Another time I gave lessons in a gibberish language I made up.

3. Name four fictional characters with whom you’d be okay being stuck in an elevator. Why them?

Dr. Horrible (Dr. Horrible’s Singalong Blog) – he makes me laugh and he makes me cry and we could sing together and maybe come up with a ray of some sort to get us out of the elevator.

Scipio (The Book Thief) – I always thought of him as a kindred spirit, out on a quest for adventure and friends, and a lover of intrigue and taking care of those he cares about. I think he would just be interesting to talk to.

Clara (The Nutcracker) – she was my intro into theatre and dance and music and all of those good things. My birthday is near Christmas so every year I would ask for tickets to The Nutcracker and sit in the theatre in awe. And she showed me what a strong female lead could look like. I’d love to meet her and thank her for that.

Stormy Skye – from nothing, just a character I made up for my first short story, about a girl who lived in a cloud castle, had the singing voice of a bird, and could control the weather. She was me, only cooler, so we would have a lot in common and we could catch up on lost time.

4. If you were a cartoon character, which cartoon character would you be?

DW Read (from the Arthur books) – we’re both sassy, independent, competitive, and very protective of our siblings. Plus we spend a lot of time in our imaginations, are stubborn, and are a little gullible – but we know what we like, and want to be in charge of every project we’re a part of!

5. What are you most looking forward to about working at the Opera House?

As ASM, I think I’m most looking forward to working with the amazing Rachel Calter and learning good leadership skills and the real inner workings of the theatre. And I’m thrilled to be back on the beautiful island, working with some of the smartest, kindest, cleverest, and hardest working creative people I know.


Lily and Emma Grace want to say hi! So, come down to the box office or give them a wave when you see them at shows this summer.