An under-wear laden clothesline with a sign proclaiming “You’ve been briefed!” is coming to a yard near you. These “briefs” will be flapping in the breeze to promote the upcoming Stillwater Shorts Festival. Proceeds will benefit the Sheerar Museum of Stillwater History. A group of talented regional directors and actors will present the plays on Sat., Nov. 14 at 7:30p.m. and Sun., Nov. 15, at 2:30p.m. The Stillwater Shorts Festival will take place at the Sheerar Museum Auditorium. Admission is $12.
For the past two years, Troupe d’Jour, a group of actors and directors who serve as the outreach branch of Town and Gown Theatre, has produced the Stillwater Shorts Festival in the Sheerar Museum’s Auditorium to support Judith Karman Hospice. When Judith Karman Hospice merged with Bristol Hospice under the management of Stillwater Medical Center, the Troupe decided to seek out a new beneficiary to support with the Stillwater Shorts Festival. Because of the long history of collaboration between Town and Gown Theatre and the Sheerar Museum of Stillwater History, Troupe d’Jour decided to give the proceeds from the this year’s festival to the Museum. Judith Karman Bristol Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Valerie Bloodgood has helped make the transition for the plays to support the Sheerar Museum. About the transition, Bloodgood said, “Judith Karman Hospice’s history has always been serving and giving back to the community and the Sheerar Museum and Stillwater’s history is important to our community.”
“We are pleased to partner with Troupe d’Jour and Town and Gown Theatre to present this fun and entertaining event at the Museum,” said Ammie Bryant, Sheerar Museum Director. “This is not the first time that the Museum has partnered with Town and Gown, four years ago the two organizations presented “For the Guys” a play by Stillwater native, Anne Nelson, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11.”
The clothes-line advertising will help spread the word about the shorts festival while raising additional funds in support of the event. Businesses and individuals who get “briefed” will make a donation to the Sheerar Museum to have the sign and its accompanying boxer shorts removed to the next business or individual of their choice. All who participate in the “briefing” will also have their names listed in the program as sponsors of the event.
“We hope those boxer shorts find their way all around town,” Debbie Sutton, Troupe d’Jour director said. “We want everyone wondering, where will they turn up next?” If you know a business or individual who would like to be “briefed,” contact Museum Director Ammie Bryant at the Sheerar Museum of Stillwater History office at 405-377-0359.
During the shorts festival performances, audience members will be encouraged to “Stuff the Shorts” to vote for the People’s Choice. A clothesline with boxer shorts representing each of the six short one act plays will hang in the Sheerar Auditorium lobby where audience members can place additional donations into the shorts representing their favorite play. The People’s Choice Award will be announced after the final performance on Sunday, November 15.
Tickets are on sale at the Sheerar Museum office during regular hours of operation 11am-5pm. Tickets will also be on sale at the door before each performance; however, seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your seat by purchasing your tickets in advance.
Those interested in more information, “briefing,” sponsorship opportunities, or tickets can call the Museum office at 405-377-0359.
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