At The Dietrich

By
Hildy Morgan

So. Somebody wrote me a snippy note asking why I had to bore the community by keeping the same films for so long. So. I wrote back that we have to keep new films from three to four weeks, and that both Alvin and Treasure were family films and that many people came to see them after the first two weeks. And, I said, we were bringing in two different films this weekend - - Bella, the right-to-life family film, and American Gangster, the hard-hitting true story starring Denzel Washington. And we’re keeping National Treasure in the Murray.

I bring this up because I understand the frustration of those who want to go to the movies on a weekend and we are playing a kiddie flick and continue to play it for a month and they don’t like singing chipmunks or whatever. But family films are our bread and butter so we give them first consideration always.

But here’s the thing. If we had two more screens, then this really wouldn’t be an issue. With four screens we would constantly be rotating films. The film would start it’s three or four week run in the Evans, with it’s 220 capacity. The next week it goes to the new 150 seat screen. On it’s third week it heads for the 125 seat screen, and then, if it must be kept for a fourth week, it nestles its cinematic buns in the Murray with its 87 seats. Meanwhile, as it has moved to the Evans on week two, a new movie will open in the Evans and start its journey toward the Murray. It means that most weekends we will open a new movie. And it means that even though we will still stress family films, we can bring in an indie or two, or a strictly grown-up film because we still have our family films in the large theaters.

You will have so many more choices and for the first time since it opened in 2001, the Dietrich will be financially secure. And surely, everyone wants that. Right now, if you were to look at our financial reports you would see that opening weekends our income spikes. The second weekend of a film the take is cut in half and after that the film is usually, with some exceptions, on life-support. By opening a film each weekend (or thereabouts) our income won’t have the peaks and valleys look that is financially unsettling.

Well, you may say, ( a little literary license here) the Dietrich seems to be doing just fine as it is. Yeah, that’s true. But it’s doing so well because it’s staffed by a group of women who, for the most part, have other sources of income and therefore don’t need health insurance, retirement, or even a living wage. When we “old broads” (Erica cringes every time I use that phrase so I just had to use it…heh heh…)leave we need to be able to attract young people who not only love the theater and its place in the town, but who can support themselves on the theater’s compensation. Otherwise, there will be a line of people who come and go, who use the theater as a stepping stone to a better job, and there is nothing sadder than a business that has become a place for temporary workers.

When we’re gone, we want to see the Dietrich thrive! And it can only thrive if we can attract good people to run it. This is a big business, it’s damn hard work, and the hours can be brutal. Those of us here now do it because we have a love affair with this place, and as you know, a person will do anything for love. But a new generation will be coming, and they might like it a lot, but they will never be as gaga over this grand old dame as we are. So to get them and keep them, we have to pay them a living wage with benefits.

We are very close to our goal, but we still need more help from our friends. We’re almost there. Please consider how vital the Dietrich is to the welfare of this wondrous town, and give your philanthropic dollars generously. You know we will steward your money wisely and with love. And remember, what you do for the theater, you do for the town – it’s all tied up in a great, big terrific package. Please help us cross that goal line.

See you at the Dietrich.

Live at The Dietrich

By
Erica Rogler

Now that the new year is here, it is the perfect time to try something new whether it be an art class, an exercise class, writing, learning a new language, reading a new book, etc. And the Dietrich is a perfect place to try out new things through our many classes and events. If you would like to learn a new language, the Dietrich is offering Spanish classes for children and adults with Victoria Romero. For children, Victoria will be teaching children the Spanish language through games and fun hands-on activities. Classes for students in grades 1 – 3 will meet on Mondays, January 21 – February 25 from 4:00 – 5:00 pm and students in grades 4 – 6 will meet on Tuesdays, January 22 – February 26 from 4:00 – 5:00 pm.

For adults, the Dietrich will offer Spanish for Professionals that is designed to acquaint students with a working knowledge of grammar and communication necessary for professionals in the fields of business and finance, social services and teaching to better communicate with Hispanic members of the community in the course of their daily work. Classes will be held Monday nights, January 21 – February 25 from 7:00 – 8:00 pm. Call the Dietrich at 996-1500 for more information about these classes.

If you are interested in writing a memoir, the Dietrich is hosting a class with Ann Vitale that shows people of all ages to write about their personal memories. Students will learn how to craft them into stories to be enjoyed by family and friends. Memoir Writing will be on Tuesdays, January 15th to March 4th from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Admission is free. The Dietrich also has a Writers Group for adults on Thursdays from 7:00- 8:30 pm. In this group, participants come and read their works or listen and are inspired. All genres and levels of writing are welcome.

The Dietrich also has some fantastic art classes with Amy and Steve Colley. Adults are welcome to learn pottery and sculpture techniques on Monday nights from 7:00 – 8:30 pm with Steve Colley. And then on Tuesday night, Steve offers an Open Studio class where students can work with the medium of their choice, whether it is pottery, drawing or painting, under his guidance. Call the Dietrich at 996-1500 for more information or to sign up.

Amy and Steve also have a variety of children’s art classes coming up including Mask Making for Mommy and Me, Paint Your Art Out for Preschoolers and Trash to Treasures where students create 3-D sculptures and relief sculptures out of recycled items. You should have seen how focused and intense the students were about their art projects in Amy and Steve’s Holiday Camp over the Christmas break. Being exposed to art is a wonderful gift and Amy and Steve have such a talent for sharing that gift to people of all ages. We are so pleased to have them teach at the Dietrich.

And remember this Saturday, January 12 at 11 am, storyteller and folklorist Fiona Powell will be at the Dietrich for Family Storytime. During this event, Fiona will sit at her spinning wheel and spin tales from around the world for all ages. This is great event to bring family and friends to. Margie Young, our Program Director, had the opportunity to see her in action this past fall and loved her presentation. Admission is free.

More than the Movies at the Dietrich Theater

3-D Madness, ages 9 - 12

Students will learn how to sculpt with an assortment of mediums including clay, string, paper, cardboard, etc. while learning about artists Pablo Picasso and Joseph Cornell.

Thursdays, February 14, 21, 28, March 6 from 4;00 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

After School Players

Students will learn all about theater arts as they prepare for the musical "50 Years of Rock 'n Roll: American Bandstand to TRL". Students will also provide input for the show and learn choreography. No experience is required!

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:30 pm, January 7 - March 8

Admission: Free

Instructors: Carl Canedy and Patti Dunning, First Act Children's Theatre

All About Printmaking, ages 5 -12

Students will learn about printmaking while creating their own etchings, monoprints and lithographs.

Ages 5-8: Fridays, March 7, 14, 21, 28 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Ages 9-12: Thursdays, March 13, 20, 27, April 3 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructors: Amy Colley and Steve Colley.

All About Printmaking, ages 5 -12 - Mehoopany Outreach Studio

Students will learn about printmaking and create their own etchings, monoprints, and lithographs at the Mehoopany Outreach Studio.

Wednesdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

All Kinds of Sculpture for Mommy & Me, ages 3 & 4

Create all kinds of sculpture using an assortment of media including string, paper, clay and recyclables with your mom, dad or grandparents.

Thursdays, February 7, 14, 21, 28 from 10:30 - 11:15 am.

Admission: $30.

Instructor: Amy Colley

All Kinds of Sculpture for Preschoolers, ages 3 - 5

Preschoolers will create all kinds of sculpture using an assortment of media including string, paper, clay and recyclables.

Thursdays, February 7, 14, 21, 28 from 12:00 - 12:45 pm.

Admission: $30.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Basketry Workshop - A Wearable Pouch

Students ages 16 and up will create a small basket of hand pounded black ash wood splints and various natural basketry materials such as cedar bark, elm bark, or birch bark. The basket is small enough to wear as a woven pendant. Preparation of natural basketry materials will also be covered.

Saturday, February 23 from 9:00 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $80, materials included.

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Basketry Workshop - Create a Berry Basket

Students ages 16 and up will create a small open berry basket of hand pounded back ash wood splints. The basket features a square check weave base. Besides learning basketry techniques, students will learn how to prepare black ash wood splints. No experience is required.

Saturday, April 5 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $80, materials included.

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Basketry Workshop - Twig Plant Tower

Learn what goes into harvesting and creating unique rustic twig towers for use as plant supports in the garden. The towers are great to use for climbing plantss such as morning glories, ivy or runner beans. They can be placed in large clay pots for teppe shaped topiaries or set in the landscape to provide dimension. In the winter the structures can be decorated with lights to enhance the winter garden.

Saturday, March 1 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $80, materials included.

Instructor: Susi Nuss

Decorative Painting, ages 16 and up

Learn decorative painting techniques while creating decorative pieces for your home or to give as gifts. Preregistration required. Call 570-996-1500 to sign up.

Wednesdays from noon - 3:00 pm. January 23, 30, February 13, 20, 27, March 12, 19, 26, and April 16, 23, 30.

Admission: $20/class plus the cost of painting surfaces

Instructor: Eileen Balboa

Exploring Color for ages 3 - 5

Little ones will learn about color by creating works of art and by playing theater games.

Thursdays, March 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10:30 - 11:30 am.

Admission: $30

Instructors: Amy Colley & Michaela Moore

Fun and Feathers, for grades K - 6

Flock to the Dietrich this March to experience the wonderful world of birds! Based on the Everhart's exhibit, "Flocks & Feathers", learn about birds, their habitat, and their connections to us through art, writing and science. Birds are the inspiration for masks, prints, origami and even paintings on eggs!

Tuesdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Everhart Museum Staff

Intergenerational Quilting, ages 13 and up

The Wool Workshop - Think warm and woolly this winter. Learn quilting techniques as you experiment with wools, weaves and other textiles. Examine vintage quilts and recapture the sensibility of quilts of old.

Wednesdays, January 9 - March 26 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

Admission: $6 per class, materials provided.

Instructors: Ingrid Rogler, Peggy Lane and Terry Keller.

Jewelry Making - Glass Fusing, ages 16 and up

This class will be a very basic introduction to the process of small piece fused glass work. Each student will create a fused glass item which will be finished, polished, and wire wrapped.

Mondays, March 3 and 10 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $60, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry Making - Metal Working, ages 16 and up

Students will learn how to use a jewelers saw, how to do basic metal cutting, filing and polishing. Each students will create a pendant.

Monday, March 17 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $50, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Jewelry Making -Easy Beading, ages 16 and up

Have fun learning three beading styles. Basic loom beading, peyote, and beading on fabric will be demonstrated. All materials and equipment will be supplied.

Monday, March 24 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.

Admission: $25, materials provided.

Instructor: Esther Harmatz

Little People & Nature - Series 1, ages 2 1/2 to 4

Rebecca Lesko of the Endless Mountains Nature Center will teach us about:When Winter Comes - Where do some of the animals go in the winter? What animals can we still see? Children will learn the answers to these questions through songs, stories, puppets and crafts.Bunny Hop - What do wild bunnies eat? Where do they live? How do they hide? Learn why domestic rabbits don't make good pets for children, and meet a rescued rabbit.Going Batty - What makes a bat a bat? Can you see bats in the winter? Dress like a bat? make a puppet, listen to a story, sing a song, and pretend to be a bat. Learn about the only flying mammal.Feeder Flutter - We've gone to the birds! Meet a live bird. Make a bird feeder to take home. Explore the discovery stations, feathers, puppets and stories.

Wednesdays, February 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10 -11 am.

Cost: $35, children should be accompanied by an adult

Instructor: Rebecca Lesko, Endless Mountains Nature Center

Mask Making for Mommy & Me, ages 3 & 4

Make your own mask! Little ones will create three-dimensional masks as they learn about different cultures and explore using a variety of materials with their moms, dads or grandparents.

Fridays, January 11, 18, 25, February 1 from 10:30 - 11:15 am.

Admission: $30.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Memoir Writing for all ages

It's never to early or too late to begin writing about your personal memories. Learn to craft them into stories to be enjoyed by family and friendsin this class for novice and experienced writers of all ages.

Tuesdays, January 15 - March 4 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm.

Admission: Free

Instructor: Ann Vitale

Open Studio for Painting, Drawing & Pottery

Students of all ages and levels of experience will have the opportunity to work at their own pace and with the medium of their choice.

Tuesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Session 1 - January 8, 15, 22, 29. Session 2 - February 5, 12, 19, 26. Session 3 - March 4, 11, 18, 25.

Admission: $15 per class or $50 for four classes.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Paint Your Art Out for Mommy & Me - Mehoopany Outreach Studio

Students and their moms, dads and grandparents will explore the arts through splatter and drip painting, the use of warm and cool colors, tempera and watercolors. For ages 3 and 4.

Wednesdays from 10:30 - 11:15 am. January 9, 16, 23, 30.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Amy Colley

Paint Your Art Out for Preschoolers, ages 3 - 5

Learn to paint! Preschoolers will create splatter and drip paintings, learn about warm and cool colors, and work with tempera and watercolor.

Thursdays, January 10, 17, 24, 31 from noon - 12:45 pm.

Admission: $30

Instructor: Amy Colley

Pottery & Sculpture, ages 13 to adult

This class is designed for students of all levels of experience. Students will work on pottery wheels and learn hand-building and sculpture techniques.

Mondays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Session 1 - January 7, 14, 21, 28. Session 2 - February 4, 11, 18, 25. Session 3 - March 3, 10, 17, 24.

Admission: $50, materials provided.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Quilting for Kids, ages 6 and up

Sunshine & Shadow/ Trip Around the World - Learn about these two quilts and the people who made them as you learn quilting techniques. Blend the best of both designs into one quilt. Explore the use of color to make a unique and bold design.

Wednesdays, January 9 - March 26 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $6/class, materials provided.

Instructors: Peggy Lane, Ingrid Rogler and Terry Keller.

Spanish for Children

Through listening and active participation in "hands-on" activities and games, children will gain comfort with the sound of the Spanish language, enabling a smooth transition into speech. A dynamic method of instruction based on the Natural Approach and Total Physical Response methods will be used to focus on functional language skills.

Grades 1-3: Mondays, January 21 - February 25 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm. Grades 4 - 6: Tuesdays, January 22 - February 26 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm.

Admission: $30, scholarships available.

Instructor: Victoria Romero

Spanish for Professionals

This class is designed to acquaint students with a working knowledge of grammar and communication necessary for professionals in the fields of business and finance, social services and teaching to better communicate with Hispanic members of the community in the course of their daily work.

Mondays, January 21 - February 25 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.

Admission: $50

Instructor: Victoria Romero

Trash to Treasures, age 5 -12

Learn how to create recycled art including 3-D art sculptures and relief sculptures at the Mehoopany Outreach Studio.

Wednesdays, March 5, 12, 19, 26 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructor: Steve Colley

Trash to Treasures, ages 5 -12

Learn how to create recycled art including 3-D sculptures & relief sculptures.

Ages 5 - 8: Fridays, February 8, 15, 22, 29 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Ages 9 -12: Thursdays, January 17, 24, 31, February 7 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Admission: $35.

Instructors: Amy Colley and Steve Colley

Watercolor Workshop

Learn the basics of watercolor from supplies and uses, preparing watercolor paper for paint application, setting up a palette, and techniques for applying paint to paper.

Friday, January 25 from 7- 9 pm & Saturday, Jan. 26 from 9:30 am - 4 pm.

Admission: $60

Instructor: Jan Henning

Writers' Group

Come and read your work or listen and be inspired. Learn the craft of writing as you write. All genres and levels of writing are welcome.

Thursdays from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Meetings are ongoing.

Admission is free.

group format - no instructor

Yoga for You

This class will teach and reinforce the basic yoga poses (asanas)which gently stretch and strengthen the body. Attention will be given to breathing and alignment in postures. Call 570-996-1500 to confirm dates. Please bring yoga mat or beach towel.

Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 am, Call 570-996-1500 for class dates.

Cost: $10 per lesson. Children are free.

Certified Hatha Yoga Instructor: Melissa Russo