Thursday night at the Fairchild Theatre, MSU theater senior Tyler VanCamp and graduate student Leslie Hull improvise a scene as part of MSU’s Summer Circle Theatre 50th Anniversary gala and silent auction. Students dressed in costume and performed for the gala’s attendees.
Michigan State’s Summer Circle Theatre celebrated its 50th anniversary Thursday with a gala and fundraiser — complete with actors in wardrobe — at the Fairchild Theatre.
Actors in costumes ranging from Victorian coattails to medieval gowns basked under the stage lights as part of the event. The theatre stage was transformed into an celebration with tables of hors d’oeuvres, desserts, wine and coffee.
More than 100 guests enjoyed food and drinks donated from local restaurants and live jazz music was provided by the Al Cafagna Trio. Local businesses also donated about 50 items for a silent auction at the event to help raise money for better microphones.
Proceeds from the event will toward upgrading the performers’ audio equipment.
Summer Circle Theatre is a free, outdoor event that occurs throughout the summer. It is coordinated by the MSU Department of Theatre and MSU’s Friends of Theatre, and welcomes participation from students and community members.
Andrew Harvey, a theater masters student who wore a silk, navy suit from a MSU Summer Circle Theatre show held in the 1990s, said he is excited to see the benefits of the night’s fundraising.
“(It’s great) to be part of something that’s a historic tradition,” Harvey said. “It’s all about enjoyment.”
Actors performed previews of forthcoming summer shows for the audience and theater. Communication senior Lauren LoGrasso, who will be performing in one of the theatre’s shows this summer, said she can only see the theatre expanding.
“Our theater department has only gotten better and this along with it,” she said.
LoGrasso said being a part of Summer Circle Theatre offers a unique experience – the actors are paid and they receive professional theater experience on their resumes.
The productions are funded by MSU’s College of Arts and Letters and donations from the community, said Carol Bryson, who helped organize the gala and is on the board of directors for MSU’s Friends of Theatre.
“It makes it available for everybody, regardless of whether they can pay or not,” Bryson said.
When guests arrived, they were each handed an envelope with a replica of the ticket for “Blithe Spirit,” which was Summer Circle’s first performance in 1961. In commemoration of the anniversary, “Blithe Spirit” will be performed again June 9-12.
Other anniversary events this summer include three fundraising receptions before each of the June shows. The receptions will cost $50 per person and will provide music, cake and beverages.
Bryson said she is optimistic for the Summer Circle Theatre’s next 50 years of operation.
“The main thing I hope is that we can just keep continuing and after 100 years have gone by, we will be celebrating 100 years of free theater in the summer on the banks of the Red Cedar,” she said.
Visit summercircle.org for performance dates, times and more information.
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