2011
This year I served as secretary of the Belen ART League, continued to curate the Photography Room at the Belen ART League Gallery & Gifts, continued to design all the league's event flyers and created the first graphically designed newsletter for the league. Oh, and I kept my work on exhibit at the gallery too.
I ran into a group of the Mansion Players, the local theater group, at the library and jumped at the chance to be their Set Decorator and Prop Master.
Belen ART League
Valentine Tea
February 13th
Belen ART League Gallery & Gifts
Belen, New Mexico
This was the first time I actually attended the tea event. I had intended to document the event before, but something always got in the way. As secretary I felt it was part of my job. It was a hectic time since we had just had our official transition into office.
The tea didn't sell out but all in attendance had a most enjoyable time. We gained a new member who is a chocolatier and he donated a bouquet of chocolate roses for a raffle prize.
Film & Media Day
February 16th
Santa Fe, New Mexico
 
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Another great awareness event for the New Mexico film industry. This year it was combined with an extras casting call for The Avengers. Wardrobe had costumed characters walking around and showed off some award winning costumes from "Into the West" in the big tent. Grip equipment was demonstrated and there was a Special Effects Make-up team doing ghoulish make-up on some of the attendees. The green filmmaking movement was giving out information from their tent and Craft Services came through with delicious burgers again. Interesting people and lots of fun. |
 
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Belen ART League
Miniature Show
April 2nd - 16th
Belen ART League Gallery & Gifts
Belen, New Mexico
Mansion Players
Once Avon a Time
April 25th & 26th
Los Lunas, New Mexico
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One day when I was at the library I overheard these people talking about scripts, casting and props. I had to ask what they were talking about. It turns out they were part of the Mansion Players. I told them I was a set dresser and they invited me to join them to help with their performance events since the actors had to dress the sets and run props themselves. They were preparing a skit and had two performances lined up. The first one was at the Los Lunas Senior Center and the second was at the Jubilee Club House in Los Lunas.
They had most of their props and set dressing but needed a real phone, which I had in my set dressing collection. They also needed a Prop Master. Here's a shot that shows most of the characters, and my prop phone during the Jubilee event. |
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Belen ART League
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Belen ART League
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Belen ART League
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Sam's Sinister Story at the SODA Saloon
School of Dreams Academy
Mansion Players
August 11th
Duncan Memorial Building
Los Lunas, New Mexico
The Mansion Players worked with the School of Dreams Academy drama students to create a diner theater event. It was a funny, interactive, western murder mystery. We took over the Duncan Memorial Building and turned it sideways for better viewing. Checkered tablecloths, barbecue and miniature haystacks set the mood (see photo to right). I surprised the cast with wanted posters, of each of them, at the entry as an introduction to their characters. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the performance and participated in figuring out "who done it". The night was a roaring success.
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The Duncan Building |
Inside the Duncan Building Before |
Inside the Duncan Building Dressed |
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Cast Wanted Poster |
Bandana Napkins |
Haystack Centerpiece |
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Belen ART League
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Belen ART League
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Valencia County Images
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Belen Festival of Lights
Belen ART League Gallery & Gifts
Open House
November 24th
Belen ART League Gallery & Gifts
Belen, New Mexico
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The Littlest Angel & The Trial of Santa
Mansion Players
December 9th
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December 10th & 11th
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December 18th
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December 19th
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The flyer lists three plays, but Outsourcing Christmas was dropped due to rehearsal time. This flyer was created by Mansion Player Writer Nancy Strickland. I served as Set Dresser and Prop Master for these events. They were great fun to do and the audiences loved them. Los Lunas High School gave us the opportunity to use a real stage in a proper theater.
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