In Mid Air Productions

Spotlight on: Emily Thompson Schweer

In Mid Air Productions — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:42:59 +0000

Two of the creative forces behind IMAP collaborated on a recent children’s musical.

Emily Thompson Schweer teaches fourth grade G & T in the East Hanover School District, and one of her projects is SALAD — the Student Actors’ League of Arts and Drama. This year SALAD presented a musicalization of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, entitled Katrina the Shrew. Emily wrote the book and lyrics; she also wrote music for two of the songs, but most of the music was written by Richard D. Russell.

Today it was announced that SALAD is an award winner this year of the “Promising Practices” program of the Character Education Partnership. The CEP is concerned with developing good character in schools, and SALAD was cited for its mission of creating a school community and integrating the curriculum. There is more information at the CEP website by clicking here.

Although Richard wrote the music for this year’s production, in fact Emily has spearheaded this project and presented a new show every year since 2006. Congratulations to Emily!

The Daily Record of New Jersey posted 25 pictures from the June 2, 2011 production of Katrina the Shrew. Click here for the pictures.

Video: Annabel Lee

In Mid Air Productions — Sat, 14 May 2011 20:28:12 +0000

Here is Dan Foran singing Richard D. Russell’s Annabel Lee at the February 20, 2011 IMAP concert.

The musicians are Anthony Bevilacqua, violin, Nancy Connell, cello, and Aaron Dai, piano; conducted by Robert W. Butts.

Annabel Lee from Richard D. Russell on Vimeo.

Songs of Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey: Pictures

In Mid Air Productions — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:26:19 +0000

In anticipation of the royal nuptials scheduled at the abbey this April, In Mid Air Productions presented its spring salon, Songs of Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey, on April 10, 2011 at the Bell and Barter Theater and Cultural Center in Rockaway, NJ.

Here is a gallery of several pictures from this terrific afternoon of music and poetry. (Click images for a larger view.)

Celebrate the Royal Nuptials with Songs from Poet’s Corner

In Mid Air Productions — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:35:26 +0000

Click image for larger size

In anticipation of the royal nuptials scheduled at the abbey this April, In Mid Air Productions presents its spring salon, Songs of Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey.

On Sunday, April 10, 2011, at 3pm, IMAP will perform readings and new compositions featuring the works of the poets honored and buried at Westminster Abbey. Robert W. Butts will again conduct our troupe of musicians in pieces he has composed, along with new pieces by Anthony Bevilacqua, Kevin McCarter, and Richard D. Russell. Featured performers include Iliya Roitman, Kristine Hart, Alejandra Altonjy, Dan Foran, Mark Fitzgerald Wilson, and Emily Clare Thompson.

Please join us for a celebration of spring and poetry!

For more information, updates, or ticket reservations, contact: Emily Clare Thompson at office: (973) 404-0540 or seasonal.sunday.salons@gmail.com

Eldorado: Video

In Mid Air Productions — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:53:54 +0000

Here is a video of soprano (and IMAP Executive Director!) Emily Clare Thompson performing Richard D. Russell’s Eldorado, from the October 24, 2010 IMAP celebration of Edgar Allan Poe.

“Amid the Blinding Snow” Pictures

In Mid Air Productions — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:24:54 +0000

In Mid Air Productions presented another successful concert last Sunday, February 20, “Amid the Blinding Snow.” New compositions by IMAP’s creative team were presented — namely, Robert W. Butts and Richard D. Russell — and were joined by a new composer to IMAP, Kevin McCarter. Here are several pictures from the show and the concert’s reception.

Dan Foran and Emily Clare Thompson ham it up

Dan Foran as the dog from "Are You Digging on My Grave?"

The cast takes a bow

Kevin McCarter alongside pianist Aaron Dai

Robert W. Butts, Emily Clare Thompson, Kevin McCarter

Feb 16 Rehearsal Pics

In Mid Air Productions — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 03:56:11 +0000

It’s not too late to reserve your tickets for this Sunday’s February 20 concert, “Amid the Blinding Snow.” The show starts at 3pm. If you attended our October Poe concert, you will well remember we had a sell-out crowd, so don’t forget to reserve your tickets by emailing your name, number of tickets, and ticket type (student or senior) to: seasonal.sunday.salons@gmail.com.

If you prefer, give us a call at 973-404-0540.

As always, your ticket price includes a wine and cheese reception after the concert.

Meanwhile, enjoy these pictures from our rehearsal — this promises to be another smash presentation by In Mid Air Productions. Don’t miss out!

“Amid the Blinding Snow” concert set for February 20

In Mid Air Productions — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 13:44:54 +0000

February 20, 2011

Please join us on February 20 at 3pm at the Bell and Barter Theater in Rockaway, New Jersey, as we celebrate the winter season. When we think of February we think of Valentine’s Day, with its celebration of flirtation, love, and romance. But it is also a cold, barren time, and so In Mid Air Productions offers up a twist, paying tribute to love gone wrong in ”Amid the Blinding Snow.”

Our Seasonal Sunday Salons are a combination of music, song, poetry, and drama. The concert will present premieres by Romantic poets such as Lord Byron, Thomas Hardy, Elisabeth Sidwell, and many others. Maestro Robert Butts will once again conduct his own compositions as well as those of Richard D. Russell and a newcomer to IMAP, Kevin McCarter.

Click the poster for a larger view, and feel free to forward it to all of your (non?) favorite Valentines! And keep watching this space for further details.

UPDATE: The poster here has an error: The correct exit off Interstate 80 is exit 37. Be sure to see the directions link on this website for further details.

The Livingston Patch reviews Tell Tale Heart lecture

In Mid Air Productions — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 13:00:08 +0000

Although there are a few inaccuracies in this report, IMAP is delighted for the attention drawn to Robert W. Butts’s opera, The Tell-Tale Heart, and his recent lecture at the Livingston Public Library. Read on by clicking here…

The Tell-Tale Heart: Video

In Mid Air Productions — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 21:13:23 +0000

Robert W. Butts’s first opera, The Tell-Tale Heart, was premiered at In Mid Air Productions on October 24 2010.

The opera starred Pamela Stein, Alexandra Altonjy and Iliya Roitman with special guest appearances by Anthony Shashaty, Douglas Anderson and Tom Loughman as the police officers. It was directed by Emily Clare Thompson-Schweer at performed at the Bell and Barter Theater and Cultural Arts Center in Rockaway, New Jersey.

The 26 minute chamber opera is available for your enjoyment in 2 parts, complete with supertitles.

Part 1:

Part 2