Author Archives: ariel-admin

  1. Big news! ARIEL receives $40,000 grant from the Harden Foundation!

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    The Harden Foundation has once again shown their support for ARIEL Theatrical in a big way. In addition to a $5,000 technology upgrade grant, ARIEL will receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds for all donations up to $35,000. As a non-profit that has invested in the young people of Monterey County for more than 30 years, ARIEL understands how providing positive activities for youth and encouraging principle-centered living helps to strengthen communities. An investment in ARIEL is an investment in the young people who are learning how to incorporate Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Leadership into their every-day lives long after the curtain closes and the applause is over. Donations are accepted online, over the phone by calling 831-775-0976 or in person at The Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre at 320 Main Street, Salinas.

  2. ONE WEEKEND ONLY – DISNEY’S WINNIE THE POOH KIDS

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    Welcome to the Hundred Acre Wood, where Winnie the Pooh is once again in search of honey. A forest full of colorful creatures offers some helping hands and voices in the quest for a sweet treat. Along the way, he meets his pals, Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit and Owl, but soon discovers that Christopher Robin has been captured by the mysterious Backson! As they prepare for a rescue operation, the animals learn about teamwork, friendship and, of course… sharing snacks. This musical adventure comes to life with the help of 45 summer campers, ages 6-14. New to the ARIEL stage, Disney’s Winnie the Pooh KIDS equals summer fun for the entire family!

     

    Performances:

    Friday, July 20 at 7 pm

    Saturday, July 21 at 10 am, 2 pm & 7 pm

     

    Location: The Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre – Home of ARIEL, 320 Main Street, Salinas

    Tickets: Adults -$9, Seniors/Students/Military -$8, Children ages 3-12 -$7, Under age 3 -FREE

    Tickets may be purchased ONLINE, by phone (831-775-0976), or at the ARIEL box office.

    Disney’s Winnie the Pooh KIDS is generously sponsored by: A&R Fresh; Hastie Financial Group; Monterey Bay Orthodontics; Silva Farms; Valley Exxon. And a big “THANK YOU” to our Season Sponsors: Aladin Properties; Cardinale Moving & Storage; Central Coast Cleaning.

     

  3. GENTRY MAGAZINE FEATURES ARIEL ON THE “A-LIST”

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    ARIEL Theatrical’s Founder and Artistic Director, Gail Higginbotham, is featured in the June 2018 issue (p.60) of GENTRY Magazine, a monthly publication about notable people and noteworthy philanthropy. Gail was selected for GENTRY’s “A-List: People to Know” where she shared the focus that makes ARIEL unique in the world of musical theatre for young people – to “imbue area youth with the right values by encouraging Monterey County kids to lead lives of honesty and integrity.” This commitment has enabled ARIEL to utilize the platform of musical theatre to teach valuable life lessons to participants from very diverse backgrounds.

    Phrases including “I can do hard things” and “Excellence is never an accident” are frequently overheard during rehearsal. Key principles are taught, modeled and encouraged to help young people discover that personal choices impact one’s ability to create a productive and successful path through life. The process of bringing a musical production to the stage clearly reveals that the world works better when practicing Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Leadership – A-R-I-E-L. GENTRY Magazine recognizes notable people and worthy philanthropic organizations and ARIEL Theatrical offers both. Win-win!

    Check out the article on page 60 on the digital issue of GENTRY Magazine.

  4. THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME – JOIN THE CAST TODAY

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    New costumes, new set and an exciting new musical is coming to the ARIEL Theatrical stage this summer! The Hunchback of Notre Dame is open to adults and high school youth and has a “choir only” option if singing is your thing. Join the cast today and create memories that will carry you back to medieval Paris, again and again!

    Click HERE for more information and to download the registration form. No experience necessary. Come and try something new this summer!

  5. THIS WEEKEND – TWO REASONS TO CELEBRATE

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    nanny-goats-gruff-ariel

    This Friday and Saturday, May 18 & 19, The Three Nanny Goats Gruff will delight audiences as they “trip, trap” their way across the bridge to find greener pastures. Their journey is complicated by a pack of hungry trolls who happen to reside under the very bridge that stands between the goats and the green grass of their dreams. Will the trolls thwart the expedition? Will the goats find a way to successfully traverse without becoming dinner? Will there be singing and dancing and fun for all ages? Come to ARIEL Theatrical to find out! Shows on Friday at 7 pm and Saturday at 2 pm and 7 pm.

    ONLINE TICKETS HERE or they can be purchased over the phone 831-775-0976 or at the door.

    And the timing couldn’t be better – it is National Salad Month! If they weren’t busy on  stage, the Three Nanny Goats Gruff would definitely be stopping by the California Welcome Center Salinas (1213 North Davis Road) for their free samples of fruits and veggies on Saturday between 11 am-3 pm. You can do both! This weekend, get your daily recommended allowance of fruits, veggies, and musical theatre!

  6. FINAL WEEKEND OF THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

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    Tickets are on sale now for the remaining three performances: Friday, April 27 at 7 pm and Saturday, April 28 at 2 pm and 7 pm.

    Join us for a heartwarming tale that follows a stuffed toy in his quest to become “real.” The devoted little rabbit learns that love makes a “real” difference as he discovers the meaning of friendship. Don’t miss this story of loyalty and determination as seen through the eyes of a very special bunny.

    The Boy (Paul Webster) enjoys spending hours playing with the Velveteen Rabbit (Tatum Ramones). Photo by Sam Bailey.

  7. BIG SUMMER FUN AT ARIEL THEATRICAL

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    Registration is open for Summer Programs at ARIEL Theatrical – Day Camps, Community Show and performances for all ages! Space is limited so don’t delay – check your schedule and register today!

    Sing, dance and celebrate summer with ARIEL Theatrical! Meet new friends and have an unforgettable adventure on stage. One, two and three-week day camps (9 am – 3 pm) with an extended day option (7:30 am – 5:30 pm) will allow for flexible drop-off and pick-up times. Try something new this summer at ARIEL!

    KIDS ON STAGE – Two sessions, June 4-8 and July 23-27. Children ages 4-12 are welcome to participate in these one-week camps that will teach musical theatre basics and give them a chance to try out their new skills on stage. Each camp concludes with a recital for family and friends.

    The Wizard of Oz – is a three-week camp Mondays-Fridays, June 11-29 with performances on June 29, 30, July 5, 6 and 7. Follow the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as they meet the Munchkins, bargain with the Wizard and contend with the Wicked Witch of the West. Youth ages 7-19 comprise this “Over the Rainbow” cast that will bring L. Frank Baum’s classic to life.

    Disney’s Winnie the Pooh KIDS – is a two-week camp, Mondays-Fridays, July 9-20 with performances on July 20 & 21. Welcome to the Hundred Acre Wood, where Winnie the Pooh is once again in search of honey. Along the way, he meets his pals, Tigger, Piglet, Rabbit and Owl, but soon discovers that Christopher Robin has been captured by the mysterious Backson! As they prepare for a rescue operation, the animals learn about teamwork, friendship and, of course… sharing snacks. Young people ages 6-14 are invited to register.

    The Hunchback of Notre Dame – Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score. Be part of an epic adventure that will sweep audiences away to another time and place. Rehearsals begin Saturday, June 16. Open to high school and adult participants. Performances are on August 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18.

  8. BIG NEWS FROM ARIEL THEATRICAL

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    Just confirmed…..Tuck Everlasting and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory are coming to ARIEL Theatrical Summer 2019! Two amazing musicals in one exciting summer!

    Based on the book by the same name, Tuck Everlasting follows Jesse Tuck and Winnie Foster as their friendship endures mysterious family secrets, the power of a magical spring and a suspicious man who threatens to topple their fragile existence. Stay tuned for dates and details!

    Roald Dahl’s fantastical tale of Charlie Bucket and his life changing trip to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory springs to life with music and dance in 2019. Kids won’t want to miss this sweet treat on stage! Information will be posted on the ARIEL website as soon as it is available.

    Two more reasons to visit ARIEL Theatrical! See you soon!

  9. Tikki Tikki Tembo – Friday & Saturday at ARIEL Theatrical

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    ONLINE TICKETS HERE – Based on the beautifully illustrated story about what’s in a name, Tikki Tikki Tembo will come to life with a cast of children ages 5 to 10 this weekend at ARIEL. Common Sense Media gives wonderful insight into the value of sharing this story with the next generation. The following is from their website:

    Tikki Tikki Tembo is a …memorable Chinese folktale about what’s in a name. It has….a beautiful message about honoring tradition while embracing change, with fun, chantable repetition….kids will see other kids problem-solve with persistence and trust their own instincts when they sense the right thing to do….the repetition of Tikki Tikki Tembo’s full name is a delight to repeat and likely will inspire kids to try out some memorization and inspire a fascination with Chinese culture.”

    Join us this weekend, February 23 & 24, for a show that is short and sweet, despite the long name! Tikki Tikki Tembo will delight young and old and is the perfect show for the entire family. Tickets are $5 for everyone three and older – under age three is free!

    Shows will take place at the Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre, home of ARIEL Theatrical.

    We gratefully acknowledge our show sponsor, Prunedale Chevron and our season sponsors, Aladin Properties, Cardinale Moving & Storage and Central Coast Cleaning.

    Friday, February 23 – 7 pm

    Saturday, February 24 – 2 pm & 7 pm

    Tickets: $5 all ages (Under 3 is free)

    Tickets may be purchased online, by phone at 831-775-0976, or in the box office.

  10. ARIEL THEATRICAL ANNOUNCES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    January 29, 2018 – Salinas, CA … ARIEL Theatrical announced that Heather Kirk has accepted the position of Executive Director. Kirk joined the ARIEL team nearly two years ago as the Development Director. She navigated challenges following the devastating fire that gutted the neighboring Dick Bruhn building with an optimistic outlook and focused on establishing new community partners and maximizing outreach efforts. She continues to reinforce the efforts of the production team and maintain a level of excellence that has been established at ARIEL. As a parent and long-time proponent of positive artistic outlets for young people, Kirk is determined to enlist broad support and promote the sustainability of, as one parent described, this “jewel in our community.”

    Kirk is thrilled to take a more public role as an advocate for an organization that has touched so many lives for more than three decades. She recently stated, “It is inspiring and exciting to see how the process of bringing a musical production to the stage works as an ideal environment for teaching valuable life lessons to our young cast members. The result when the curtain opens is a reflection of not only hours and hours of hard work but also the principles that each young person has embraced and put into action. It is truly magical to watch!”

    Kirk is dedicated to the ARIEL mission of helping young people learn to lead principle-centered lives and looks forward to enlisting support for this effort on stage, behind the scenes, in the audience and all throughout Monterey County.

    Located in the heart of Salinas City Center, ARIEL Theatrical provides opportunities for children to explore the stage and learn valuable lessons about Accountability, Respect, Integrity, Excellence and Leadership – A-R-I-E-L. ARIEL’s finest productions are not the plays but the responsible young people who come together in a positive, collaborative spirit to learn, perform and share experiences that they will carry with them for a lifetime.  Visit ARIEL in the Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre, 320 Main Street in Salinas City Center, online at www.arieltheatrical.org or call 831-775-0976.