Welcome to Theatre 98!

We are fortunate in Fairhope to have a wealth of talented artists: writers, painters, and sculptors; dancers and singers; and of course, actors. When the play selection committee presented INVENTING VAN GOGH to the board of directors, we thought this was the perfect opportunity to combine the visual with the performing arts. We certainly could have just ordered prints of van Gogh’s work and used them in our production, but why do that when we have such talented artists right here in Fairhope, who might be willing to replicate the paintings of one of the most recognizable masters. We contacted the Eastern Shore Art Center and a few of our very own multi-talented theatre people, and asked if they would be willing to take on this challenge. Several artists agreed, and behold……Vincent Willem van Gogh’s paintings have come to life at Theatre 98.

Of course we needed to decide what to do with these works once the play closed, and we thought that our patrons might be interested in obtaining one (or perhaps two). Therefore, we are going to offer the paintings for bid in a silent auction that will benefit Theatre 98. Winning bids will be tax deductible as a donation to a non-profit organization.

Bidding will begin at the Invited Dress, Wednesday, May 8th. Bids will be accepted before each performance begins and after it ends. Bidding will be suspended during intermission to keep the intermission within the normal time limits. You may return to raise your bid any time the theatre is open during the run of the show. The last bid will be accepted after the final performance on Sunday, May 19th. Should you be the winning bidder, someone from the theatre will call you to come and pick up your painting. We will accept cash, check, or credit cards for your donation.

Bid sheets will be placed in the lobby along with a photo of the painting and the artist that replicated it. The paintings are actually used during the show so will not be available for inspection until the performance ends each night. Interested bidders may ask a member of the stage crew or a board member to show them a painting they wish to take a closer look at. They will also be on display at the Eastern Shore Art Center on Friday, May 3rd, for Fairhope’s First Friday Art Walk.

On behalf of the Theatre 98 board, a very special thank you to all of our talented artists and especially to Melinda Hicks, Academy Director of the Eastern Shore Art Center, who organized the ESAC artists, and to Frances Fontaine, ESAC art instructor, who served as overseer of the artwork for the ESAC group.

Now sit back, relax, and allow yourself to be transported into the world that is called art.

Brenda Hedstrom
President, Theatre 98

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Upcoming Production

Inventing van Gogh written by Steven Deitz; directed by Timothy Guy

Cast:
Vincent van Gogh – Heather Delker
Dr. Miller / Dr. Gachet – Rob Clark
Hallie Miller / Marguerite Gachet – Sarah David
Rene’ Bouchard / Paul Gauguin – Michael Bankston
Patrick Stone – Joe Fuselli