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Live Theatre – Julius Caesar – The Mississippi Delta version – by the MVLCT

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What do voodooism, prohibition, boxing, and plenty of blues music have in common?

Come on down to Mount Vernon and find out with this summer’s production of Julius Caesar. Set in the Mississippi Delta in the summer of 1931, this new take on an old classic blends Marie Laveau’s Voodoo Queen’s spiritualism with the Chicago Mob’s mentality to create a production unlike any you’ve seen before.

William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar tells the tale of power and corruption at the hands of supposed leaders. As Julius Caesar prepares to take the throne, a group of conspirators plot to overthrow this potential dictator in order to preserve the Republic. As the show progresses the limits of power, the strength of brotherhood, and the quest for vengeance are all tested.

Show Dates & Times

  • Friday, July 20th at 7:30 pm
  • Saturday, July 21st at 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, July 22nd at 2pm
  • Friday, July 27th at 7:30 pm
  • Saturday, July 28th at 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, July 29th at 2 pm

Cost

Seats vary from $12 – $15

The Cast

Come and show your support for the cast of the 2018 production of Julius Caesar:

Brutus – Nicole Klostermann
Cassius – Taylor Sedlecek
Antony – Stacey Jaegar
Casca – John Hill
Caesar – Scott Humeston
Octavius – Jasper Rood
Lucius – Sophia Andrews
Soothsayer – Quinnie Rodman
Decius/Messala – Logan Natvig
Cinna/Titinius & Others – Zach Vig
Portia/Pindarus & Others – Eva Giacomo
Calpurnia & Others – Lisa Smith
Metellus/Lucilius & Others – Mary Blacharski
Trebonius/Clitus & Others – Garrett Herring
Artemidorus/Servant & Others – Lynaea Kiefer
Cicero/Cinna the Poet & Others – Steve Weiss


This is a Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre production

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Live Music – FREE – Outdoor Concert – James Kennedy and Friends

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photo of the musicians in James Kennedy & Friends
James Kennedy & Friends

THE DATE HAS CHANGED to Saturday, June 23rd from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, come and enjoy the outdoors with some live music from local favorites James Kennedy and Friends!

This is an instrumental group based in the Midwest. Fronted by versatile guitarist James Kennedy, they play a mix of classic hits, jazz/blues, Latin and original songs – using their instruments and years of training to bring the music to life.

The eclectic sounds of James on guitars, Catherine Lawson on the 5 string electric/acoustic violin, Matt Alles on electric bass and Eric Madison on percussion/drums creates an uncommon blend of tunes both familiar and unique at the same time.

Bring a lawn chair, a cool drink and some snacks, kick back and sit for a spell with us.


This event is sponsored in partnership by the MVAAC and Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation.

Mount Vernon Area Arts Council Logo

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Auditions for Julius Caesar – the Mississippi Delta version – @7pm, May 20th and 21st

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What do voodooism, prohibition, boxing, and plenty of blues music have in common? Come on down to Mount Vernon and find out with this summer’s production of Julius Caesar. Set in the Mississippi Delta in the summer of 1931, this new take on an old classic blends Marie Laveau’s Voodoo Queen’s spiritualism with the Chicago Mob’s mentality to create a production unlike any you’ve seen before.

William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar tells the tale of power and corruption at the hands of supposed leaders. As Julius Caesar prepares to take the throne, a group of conspirators plot to overthrow this potential dictator in order to preserve the Republic. As the show progresses the limits of power, the strength of brotherhood, and the quest for vengeance are all tested.

Show dates will (tentatively) be July 19-22 and July 26 – 29

Character Breakdown

Marcus Brutus – A soldier and statesman of Rome. Brutus is widely regarded as a man of honesty and virtue. He is the smartest man in the room and chooses what he feels is best for the citizens of Rome over his own love of Caesar.
Age: 17 – 30
Gender: Male

Cassius – A passionate learned leader. She is the leader of the rebellion against Caesar. She works to convince Brutus to act against Caesar and for Rome. She has a deep love and affection of Brutus
Age: 17 – 30
Gender: Female

Mark Antony – A politician and playboy, Antony understands the power of words and wields them with the same accuracy as a sword. Antony is acts as the right hand of Caesar with fast sweeping vengeance.
Age: 20s – Early 30s
Gender: All

Julius Caesar – An ambition driven leader who seeks death over cowardice. He is driven by ego, grandeur, and arrogance.
Age: 30 – 60
Gender: Male

Casca – A member of the inner circle of Conspirators. An outspoken and sometimes sour man.
Age: All
Gender: All

Cinna – A member of the inner circle of Conspirators. Doubles as the Military leader Titinius. Smart and devilish.
Age: All
Gender: All

Calpurnia – Wife of Caesar; a woman consumed by amulets and potions. Extremely superstitious.
Age: Same age as Caesar
Gender: Female

Portia – The honorable wife of Brutus. She capable of toughness and courage. Movement and vocal Experience Needed.
Age: 17 – 30
Gender: Female

Soothsayer – A voodoo witch in the style of Marie Laveau or Papa Midnight. Movement experience and vocal experience needed. Dance experience welcomed.
Age: All
Gender: All

Lucius – Brutus’ loyal servant. Must be able to sing and possibly play a stringed instrument
Age: High School
Gender: All

Ensemble – Conspirators, Tribunes, Citizens, Senators, Singers, Dancers
Age: All
Gender: All

NOTE:
All actors other than Brutus, Cassius, Mark Antony, and Julius Caesar will play multiple roles.

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Hometown Teams – More Than Just a Game: African American Athletes in Iowa

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The African American Museum of Iowa will be presenting “More Than Just a Game: African American Athletes in Iowa” Saturday, March 24th at 10:30 – 11:30 am in the Uptown Theatre as a part of a series of Hometown Teams events.

The Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street traveling exhibit “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America” will be in Mount Vernon, Iowa from March 18 to April 28, 2018.  It is one of ten related events that is scheduled while the exhibit is in Mount Vernon.

From the African American Museum of Iowa:

Since the late nineteenth century, African Americans have participated in a variety of sports and contributed in profound ways to Iowa’s sporting culture. African Americans experienced severe discrimination in sports as in other activities, but fought long and hard to overcome racism. In Iowa, they frequently used achievement in sports as a way to come together as a community. These countless narratives both on and off the court, field, and ring, remind us of the broader struggle for civil rights in America.

This presentation coincides with the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shape America” exhibit, on view at the First Street Community Center March 18 to April 29, 2018. “How Sports Shaped America” is a Smithsonian traveling exhibit that allows visitors to put sports in the context of American culture and gain a better understanding of the role that sport plays in its interactions with families, schools, government, business, and other social institutions. The African American Museum of Iowa will feature local sports figures Art Pennington and Jack Trice.

RSVP on Facebook.

  • This event is presented by the African American Museum of Iowa.
  • Attendance is free and open to the public.

Complete Schedule of Hometown Teams Events:

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