COLDWATER – Branch County Community Foundation, ProMedica
Foundation and Tibbits Opera Foundation & Arts Council have joined efforts to
share ways of “Creating a Community Legacy” through an interactive and
informative evening featuring Pamela Jones Davidson, J.D. at Tibbits Opera
House, Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.
Branch County Community Foundation, ProMedica Foundation and Tibbits Opera Foundation are working together to present Creating a Community Legacy Thursday, Nov. 11 at 5:30 pm at Tibbits Opera House, featuring speaker Pamela Jones Davidson, J.D.
The three local Foundations, recognizing the importance of keeping
legacy gifts local, teamed to offer an evening of ideas to help persons of all
ages plan for the future in a way that supports themselves, their dreams and their
community.
Presenter for the evening, Davidson, is President of Davidson Gift
Design, Bloomington, Indiana, a consulting firm specializing in
gift planning, planned giving program design and implementation, and
training. Before forming her own company in 1999, she was a charitable
gift planner and consultant for three years with Laura Hansen Dean and
Associates, Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to that she was with Indiana
University Foundation as its Executive Director of Planned Giving and Associate
Counsel.
The three organization hosting the event are committed to
working together and serving Branch County. According to BCCF Executive
Director Erica Heminger, “Through the event we hope to emphasize the importance
of investing in our community. All of the gifts we receive, regardless of which
organization receives them, helps keep our community vibrant.” She adds, “This
event is a chance for everyone in the community, at all stages of life, to
learn of tools available to meet their own needs and dreams. We have a common
commitment to Branch County.”
The event is free and opens with a reception at 5:30 pm
followed by the presentation. Davidson will share ideas and charitable plans to
address common needs. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own questions and
concerns or learn of the tools and resources available to diversify, simplify
or support their charitable dreams.
Reservations can be made at Tibbits.org or by calling
Tibbits at 517-278-6029. Tibbits Opera House is located at 14 South Hanchett
Street, Coldwater. More information and a complete bio of the speaker can also
be found at Tibbits.org.
COLDWATER – With a gripping story and a surging contemporary
rock score, ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital, Pines Behavioral Health, and
Tibbits Summer Theatre present the dramatic rock musical “Next to Normal” on
the Tibbits stage for six performances, September 6-8 and 12-14, 2019.
Based
on the book by Brian Yorkey, with lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt,
“Next to Normal” won the 2010 Pulitzer
Prize for drama and three 2009 Tony awards, including Best Musical Score. “Next to Normal” is a very real depiction of a
family in crisis trying to overcome the past. The story centers on a mother who
struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the
effects that managing her illness has on her family. The musical addresses grief, depression, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life through humor and tears.
Director Charles Burr says, “I find ‘Next to Normal’
exciting and rather daunting. It won every award possible for its
writing. That makes me excited to get my hands on it and determined to get it
right,” adding, “I love the music, a combo of rock and contemporary Broadway.
But it is not an easy score to sing. Fortunately, we have 6 wonderful
performers.”
Along with Tibbits Artistic Director Charles Burr, Matthew Everingham joins “Next to Normal” as musical director. The cast, with returning professional summer theatre company members, is comprised of Stephanie Burdick as Diana, Taylor Joseph Rivera as Gabe, Matthew C. Scott as Dan, Jennifer Barnaba as Natalie, Michael Motkowski as Henry, and Sean Noonan as Doctor Madden/Doctor Fine. The technical staff includes set design by Aaron Bell and Rachel Lucas, lighting design by Catie Blencow, costume design by Marie Green, sound design by Ken Delaney, and props by Rachel Marengere.
Burr added, “I love how the story is told, but it is
told in a very non-linear, almost dream like sequence of short scenes. I
think we have designed a set that will help clarify the action. It has
been a long time since I have been able to work on show that is highly
dramatic, but has wonderfully humorous moments…you know–just like life.”
Pines and ProMedica have teamed with Tibbits to
present the show as a means of opening the dialogue on the very real issues of
mental health. ProMedica is
a mission-based, not-for-profit integrated healthcare organization
headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. Driven by its mission to improve health and
well-being, ProMedica has been nationally recognized for its advocacy programs
and efforts to address social determinants of health. Pines,
as the Community Mental Health Authority for Branch County, specializes in assisting
those with serious mental illness such as Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder,
Schizophrenia, Severe Anxiety and other brain conditions that impair functional
abilities due to the severity of symptoms. Tibbits has been producing
professional theatre for 55 years and has established its reputation for
quality productions.
This collaborative activity is sponsored by ProMedica
with additional support from Pines. The performance also received support from
the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Minigrant Program
administered by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.
“Next to Normal” will be presented September 6, 7, 12, 13, 14 at 7:30 pm and September 8 at 2 pm.
The show does include mature content and
some explicit language. The goal of the production is to bring
attention to mental health issues, dispel stigmas, and open up dialogues
through the art of live theatre. To encourage the open dialogue, each
performance will include informal discussions and Talkbacks to engage audience
members in the conversation with the performers and others involved.
Discussions will include health care professionals available for questions,
information, and assistance.
Burr says, “I know our sponsors are looking for this show to spark
a discussion about mental health, a topic that even in 2019 is still a really
taboo subject. The arts, and theatre in particular, have a long history
of shining a light on issues and helping to get that conversation going.”
Tickets for “Next to Normal” range from $10-$27 (including fees) with student and Tibbits member pricing. Tickets are currently available online at Tibbits.org, through the Tibbits Box Office at the theatre, or by calling 517-278-6029. To add to the Tibbits experience, Tibbits Ghost Light Bar in the theatre’s elevator lobby is open before the show and at intermission. All performances are held at the beautiful historic Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett Street, in Coldwater. For more information, call or visit Tibbits.org.
