Page 22 - the Noise November 2017

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SEAN OPENSHAW
At rehearsals for Mulan PHOTOS BY SEAN OPENSHAW WITH ALPINE COMMUNITY THEATER
Alpine Community Theater started in Flagstaff in July 2015 with a talent showcase. it officially became a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and first produced Disney’s Mary Poppins in the spring of 2016. Last May, the troupe delighted the community with a production of Beauty and the Beast.
The founding members of ACT were all actively involved when another community theater, Flagstaff Youth Theater took a final bow two years ago. Tammy Jones, one of ACT’s found- ing members, said of the transition, “Several of us discussed how important it was to the com- munity to have a no-experience-necessary theater where people of all ages could perform together. Many of our own children benefited from having this type of community theater in Flagstaff and we could not see ourselves allowing that opportunity for others slip away. We wanted it to be a teaching, educational, and no-experience-necessary organization.
“This is a huge piece of why we exist and why we do what we do. Family time is so limited and precious these days. in all our productions, we have had siblings perform, children and parents, cousins and married couples. We highly encourage multiple family members to join our theater as it is such a positive experience for the whole family. it makes incred- ible memories. ACT is about family. Any family. We consider our organization very family- oriented and we work to keep that atmosphere and environment in each of our shows.”
This November, ACT will be performing the Disney Jr. version of the story of Mulan. Says Ms. Jones, “No one in the Flagstaff area has performed Mulan, so we are pretty excited about that. it’s an opportunity to not only introduce a new show, but also an opportunity to intro- duce another culture. For this production, we have had Sifu (master) Matthew Banks from Sacred Mountain Fighting and Healing Arts come in and teach our cast some TaI ChI moves for a musical number. It is a great opportunity to introduce and teach our cast about another different type of art. For Mulan, like every show, the cast is what makes it special. You never get the same exact cast back. You might have some cast members return, but you never have the same cast again. While you’re rehearsing for months, you become so close to each other and then you may not see each other again for a while. That is the most difficult part.”
For the current production of Mulan, the entire cast is under the age of 18. Over 30% of the cast is brand new to theater, with no previous experience. “We have quite a few return- ing performers as well, who really become mentors to the newer or younger casts. We love to see this happening as it is what we are all about. This cast is incredible, talented and fun! They are now writing their own stories of performing in Mulan that they remember and share with others for the rest of their lives.”
Support for ACT is provided in part by Dancin’ Grannies, Flagstaff Arts Council and the Arizona Community Foundation. Performances run from November 3 through November 11; on Friday and Saturday nights, performances start at 7PM, and on Saturday afternoons at 2PM. More at ACTFlagstaff.com
Arne’s iconic “Moon Over Peaks” mugs PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE STINSKI
A FLAGSTAFF FAVORITE
Flagstaff, most people would agree, is a mountain town with its own unique style and character. A place that feels welcoming and homey to locals and visitors alike. But that fa- miliar, welcoming feel is made up of so many individual parts; people and traditions which weave through the town like the brightly colored threads of a warm, cozy blanket. One of those colorful threads that make Flagstaff the town we love is Mark Arnegard and his ceramics.
“Arne,” as many call him, was originally from Loma Linda, California, but he moved to Flagstaff to attend Northern Arizona University in 1967. While an interest in forestry brought him to NAU, he found ceramics to be his true calling and graduated with a BFA in ceramics in 1972. Mr. Arnegard made Flagstaff his home and continued to pursue his art at the base of the San Francisco Peaks. Over the last 45 years, Mr. Arnegard’s work has become an iconic part of Flagstaff. Whether his dishes at Momma Luisa italian Restaurante, his mugs at Macy’s European Coffee House, or the pieces that have become favorites at homes and businesses around town, many Flagstaffians are familiar with his work.
Mr. Arnegard’s ceramics are a perfect balance between functional and beautiful. They follow earthy aesthetics with glazes he mixes himself, creating colors flowing and melding into each other like liquid marble. He often uses turquoise, lavender, or white colored ac- cents that follow the organic lines of his glazes or create playful designs around his bowls, mugs, and plates. Some may know his pine tree plates with towering Ponderosa forests drawn on the faces.
But by far Mr. Arnegard’s most recognizable design is his “Night Time Scenic” collection, featuring an image of either the San Francisco Peaks or the red rocks of Sedona in front of a bright full moon. Regardless of the style, all of his work feels solid and reliable; something made for everyday use.
Mr. Arnegard’s work is in homes all across the United States, as well as internationally. “I have work on all the continents besides Antarctica,” he says. “In fact, the largest scenic bowl I ever created went to Japan. It was a gift for someone who had spent time in Flag- staff.” That is a common sentiment among Mr. Arnegard’s fans; his pieces feel so much like a representation of Flagstaff, they are often given as welcoming gifts to newcomers or as parting gifts to those moving away so that they can have a little bit of Flagstaff with them wherever they go.
Friendly and down to earth, Mr. Arnegard can often be found working at his shop and studio, Arne Ceramics — a little blue building on old Route 66. But he is also an avid out- doorsman. He makes time to mountain bike when it’s warm and skI when it’s cold. Much of the inspiration for his work comes from the time he has spent outdoors among the magnifi- cent and varied scenery of Northern Arizona.
Mr. Arnegard’s ceramics are also on display at Arizona Handmade Gallery in downtown Flagstaff. His work will be featured throughout the month of November and he will be in the gallery for the First Friday ArtWalk on November 3 from 6-9PM. Stop in to say hello and to pick up some of his work before the holiday rush begins! AZHandmade.com
GETTING IN ON THE ACT
— Jen Turrell
— Stephanie Stinski
22 • NOVEMBER 2017 | the NOISE arts & news | www.thenoise.us