The Wilson Center Auditorium may have “gone dark” for the balance of the year 2020, but there are brighter days ahead! We want to wish all of you a peaceful, beautiful and safe holidays, and we look forward to resuming our community theater entertainment as soon as is safely possible.
The current gatherings restrictions are keeping us from being able to enjoy community theatre and concert productions… but we are still able to vote for our favorite local auditorium (hint, hint). 
The Wilson Center Auditorium is pleased to present some good news for the year 2020… another significant improvement to the auditorium stage – a new steel double door backstage!
This will provide better access to the stage for performers who had been using the 1920s-era single wooden door for stage entry.
The double door will also allow better access for prop builders, as well as the ability to move the piano to a storage area across the hallway when not being used.
A big “thank you” to Bill Tennant for keeping these renovation project details moving forward during the current Covid-19 down time.
Now that Dymaxion Development has acquired the Wilson Center for the conversion of classroom space to apartments, discussions will be taking place with the Wilson Center Auditorium committee and the St. Johns Parks and Recreations department regarding the creation of a cooperative shared use procedure for the auditorium and gymnasium. We will keep you updated as those talks progress.
In the meantime, we invite you to make note of the summer concert schedule taking shape for the William E. Tennant Performance Shell. Landscaping work is being done in preparation for the first show of the delayed season, tentatively set for July 1st, featuring the Sea Cruisers!
by Ken Palmer, Lansing State Journal
ST. JOHNS â The Board of Education on Monday approved the sale of a nearly century-old former school building to a Lansing developer who vowed to keep part of the facility in public use.
Board members voted unanimously to accept a $50,000 offer by Dymaxion Development to buy the Wilson Center, which served as both a high school and middle school and now houses the school district’s alternative education, preschool and child care programs.
Dymaxion proposed building up to 72 housing units in the building and said it would allow the public to continue using the Wilson Center’s gym and auditorium under yearly leases of $1.
The company’s proposal is the best fit for the district, in part because it will preserve the massive building on West Cass Street and keep it in community use, board members said.
“Everything I’ve heard has been in support of the Dymaxion bid,” board President Scott Darragh said.
ATTENTION ALL DONORS WHO GAVE MONEY TO THE
WILSON CENTER AUDITORIUM PROJECT OVER THE YEARS…
YOU ARE INVITED TO A *SPECIAL* DONOR APPRECIATION EVENT AT THE
WILSON CENTER ON TUESDAY, MARCH 10th, STARTING AT 6:30 P.M.
THIS INCLUDES A SPECIAL GOURMET RECEPTION FOLLOWED BY A
CONCERT FEATURING THE AMAZING DAVID BENNETT QUARTET.
WE HOPE THAT YOU CAN MAKE IT!
Homegrown Productions’ spring play will be “Leaving Iowa”, a hilarious look at the amusing adventures of family vacations. Auditions will be held at the Wilson Center Auditorium on Monday, March 9th and Wednesday, March 11th at 7pm.
Many parts – both large and small – are available. Whether you are a seasoned community theatre veteran or someone who would like to wade into the theatrical waters, this is a great opportunity.
We hope to see you there!
For more details, visit Homegrown Productions on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2348559695434194/?event_time_id=2348559698767527
Join us for a very special vocal performance THIS FRIDAY, 7:30pm at the Wilson Center Auditorium!
Celebrate the holidays through choral music and support the Beacon of Hope Family Care Center (BOH) at the same time. The concert begins at 7:30 pm and a free will donation will be collected. All proceeds support the BOH. This is the inaugural concert for the Junior MInts Community Youth Choir (grades 4-8) and annual concert for the Mint City Singers.(Ages 14-adult). Enjoy the spirit of the holidays through multigenerational singing, charitable giving, and gathering after the concert for cookies and fellowship!
Since 2009, Homegrown Productions has added to the holiday spirit in our community with a musical variety show. This year they are proud to present âUh Oh, Here Comes Christmas“, a play based on the books by Robert Fulghum. Heartwarming stories and musical interludes look at the struggle to find the spirit of the holidays amid the avalanche of commercialism, stress and chaos that crashes down every December. Delightful stories include hilarious musings about a love/hate relationship with the vibrant poinsettia that arrives in most homes every December and hangs on long after the holidays have ended; and a beautiful, deeply moving tribute to the winter solstice, celebrating nature’s precious annual gift of rebirth.
âUh, Oh, Here Comes Christmasâ is directed by Beth Webb and Susan DeRosa. This yearâs cast members are Sara Craft, Susan DeRosa, Jan Ross, Darryl Schmitz, Beth Webb, and Tom Webb. This is a family friendly show. Performances are December 6 and 7 at 7:30 pm at the Wilson Center Auditorium, 101 W. Cass St. Tickets are $10 at the door.
(Photo Front: Beth Webb and Tom Webb; Back: Sara Craft, Darryl Schmitz, Susan DeRosa; Not pictured Jan Ross)
The Mountain Town Brass Band, an elite brass band made up of some of the top brass players in the state of Michigan, will be performing a Holiday Concert at the Wilson Center in St. Johns on Sunday, December 8 at 7:00pm. The concert is FREE to the public, but a good will donation will be accepted. The band will feature many holiday favorites such as “Deck the Halls“, “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah, Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival” and more. The band will also feature principal euphonium Cassandra Black on âAve Mariaâ and principal cornet Matthew Taton on âShake My Yoke“.  The band is under the direction of Jacob Bender.  We hope to see you there!
