Archives | Hard Road Theatre

Summer 2021 Announcement

by Brian Knobloch | Mar 26, 2021 | Announcements, Shows, Youth Auditions

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!

Our main priority, as stated last year at the start of the COVID health crisis, continues to be the safety of our performers, production staff and patrons. As more and more people are vaccinated and the case numbers continue to decrease and stay low in our area, we are ready to get back on stage! With that in mind, after months of delay and hours of discussions and meetings the Hard Road Board of Directors has decided to attempt an abbreviated summer season with an in-person show!

OUR GOAL IS TO PRESENT A KID’S SHOW THIS SUMMER!

We’re not ready to release ALL the details (including what the show is!) yet as the board is still in the process of securing the performance space, sponsors, etc…but we can let you know the audition dates and performance dates so you can get those on your calendar!

AUDITIONS will be held on May 1st and 2nd.

PERFORMANCE Dates: July 22-25 & July 29 – Aug 1

We are hoping to solidify our plans with the performance space in the coming weeks at which point we will release more information on the show and audition materials and other exciting details!

We are currently working on the procedures to ensure the safety of our performers and crew in rehearsals as well as performances. In the coming weeks we’ll also be releasing the requirements that we’ll be asking our audiences to follow so we can safely and successfully present an in-person show this summer!

With only doing a kid’s show this summer, due to the limitations still in place and performance spaces being at a premium currently, there will be no adult musical. If COVID conditions continue to improve we are hoping to have more opportunities for in-person performances this fall.

In the meantime, if you haven’t already, check out our Hard Road Radio Serials – high quality, vintage entertainment every Friday at 5pm!

We can’t wait to be on stage in front of all of you again!

Baseball Opening Day with WHRT

by Brian Knobloch | Mar 19, 2021 | Radio Serials, Shows, Stage At Home

Greetings from Hard Road Theatre! Welcome to Hard Road Theatre Stage at Home Radio Serials where we step back in time and bring you tales from the Golden Age of Radio. Tonight we bring you another fun episode the zany crew at WHRT 930 – brought to you by blockplanedesigns!

Imagine this – it’s the 1950’s – the snow has begun to melt, the gray skies have lifted, the birds are singing, the grass is getting greener and the flowers are beginning to wake from their winter slumber! That’s right! SPRING is here and so is the beginning of BASEBALL season! Today we join the crew at the small, Midwest radio station, WHRT 930 as they begin to get excited about their favorite teams taking the field once more. As the episode unfolds we hear from station handyman, Jake Sherman and from WHRT sound engineer “Sparky” Malone with music from the locally, world famous harmonies of 9th and Washington! You’ll find out “Who’s on First” and hear that stadium favorite “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”. So sit back, relax and join us for a baseball themed broadcast that’s sure to get you in the sporting mood!

Tonight’s episode is titled – Baseball Opening Day with WHRT

FEATURING:
Announcer/Bud McNamara – Bill Sullivan
Jake Sherman – Brian Knobloch
“Sparky” Malone – Carlos Munguia

9th & Washington
Byron Barker – Tenor
Jeannie Korte – Soprano
Vicky Rankin – Alto
Steve Hall – Bass
Tracy Sebescak – Keyboards

Background Music
Nathan Jatcko (from his album Catch)

PRODUCTION STAFF:
Director – Bill Sullivan
Audio Sous-Chef – Bill Sullivan
Recording/Sound Engineer – Carlos Munguia
Audio/Foley Editor – Brian Knobloch/blockplanedesigns
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To say that 2020 has been a challenge for our organization would be an understatement. Back in January our board approved an exciting slate of shows and productions to celebrate our 20th season! Unfortunately, to keep our actors, production staff and patrons safe, we were forced to cancel all of our in-person shows, fundraisers and community outreach events. Historically we have produced 2-3 summer shows, which are very popular, highly attended and account for a large portion of our yearly income. Through these tough months we have tried to find creative and safe ways to engage our actors and patrons. In lieu of our kid’s show this summer our amazing production team created a weekly video “Hard Road Stage At Home Series” featuring many of our talented youth performers recorded remotely from the safety of their own homes! We released these wildly popular videos on our Facebook page and and on our website www.hardroad.org, garnering thousands of views, likes and shares.

We’re trying to recreate that magic this fall and winter with a new venture entitled “Hard Road Stage at Home Radio Serials”. Our plan is produce and release a high quality, expertly produced vintage radio show on a weekly basis throughout these cold winter months. We have assembled a talented production staff and have cast these shows with top notch talent! If you like what you’ve heard please consider becoming a donor. For more information about Hard Road Theatre, to donate to our organization or for information on becoming a sponsoring please visit our website, www.hardroad.org.

Stage at Home – Touch The Sky

by Brian Knobloch | Mar 12, 2021 | Stage At Home

Happy Friday! Are you ready for a new video from the Hard Road Stage at Home Kids? Well, you must have found a four leaf clover! This is your lucky day – check out the pot of gold we have waiting for you!

The gray and gloomy skies of winter are slowly lifting, revealing bright blue skies and green plants sprouting from the ground! Nothing lifts our spirits like sun shine and fresh air on our faces! Join the Hard Road Kids on a journey over the rainbow to chase the wind and “Touch the Sky”!

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
– Traditional Irish Blessing

Happy St. Patrick’s Day (next week)!

Special thanks to this week’s “Spot Light Business”, Funky Paint Lures for their help with this video.

If you feel led to donate to our community theatre group click the “Support Hard Road” button.

Every little bit helps us continue to deliver amazing live theater oppotunitues here in Highland and the surrounding area. We can’t do all this without your generous financial support.

Have a great weekend and remember friends – keep dreaming big and stay safe out there! See you soon!

Burns and Allen – Easter War Hat Council

by Brian Knobloch | Mar 5, 2021 | Radio Serials, Shows, Stage At Home

Greetings from Hard Road Theatre! Welcome to Hard Road Theatre Stage at Home Radio Serials where we step back in time and bring you tales from the Golden Age of Radio. Tonight we introduce you to the Burns and Allen Show, a zany half hour packed with the comedic antics of George Burns and Gracie Allen, brought to you by Michael’s Coffee Shop.

Episode 12

Tonight’s episode is titled – Easter War Hat Council

FEATURING:

Announcer/Bill Goodwin – Bill Sullivan
George Burns – Tom Varner
Gracie Allen – Sara Knobloch
Meredith Wilson – Carlos Munguia
Mr. Postman – Brian Knobloch
Blanche Morton/Katherine – Lori Wahl
Clara – Linda Collman

PRODUCTION STAFF:

Director – Bill Sullivan

Recording/Sound Engineer – Carlos Munguia
Audio Sous-Chef – Bill Sullivan

Audio/Foley Editor – Brian Knobloch/blockplanedesigns

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We have assembled a talented production staff and have cast these shows with top notch talent! If you like what you’ve heard please consider becoming a donor. For more information about Hard Road Theatre, to donate to our organization or for information on becoming a sponsoring please visit our website, www.hardroad.org.