Each year for the past six years, right around the early part of May, the non-profit organizations in the state of Idaho have a day of giving. Or, specifically, 24-hours of coming together and bringing awareness to a multitude of non-profits in hopes of garnering donations and support.
In 2018, Idaho Gives Day saw donors give money to 570 organizations, totaling over 1.5 million dollars. One of the great things about this day is donors choose how much to give and where to give, ranging from groups who deal in disaster relief, disability services, culture, arts, and more. The day is one of giving and a day of celebrating the community of non-profit organizations in the state of Idaho.
This is the fourth-year that Alley Repertory Theater will be participating in Idaho Gives Day. This is an organization dear to my heart. The theater company, led by artistic director Buffie Main, just finished up its most accomplished yet, with productions of The Cake by Bekah Brunstetter and Indecent by Paula Vogel sandwiched around the holiday show Jodi Sings Judy.
I have been lucky enough to be part of this company since 2011, first as an actor in The Farnsworth Invention. Over the years, I've become more immersed, starting as a writer, and later growing into opportunities as a director, production manager, social media specialist, and resident dramaturge and playwright.
This year, coinciding with Idaho Gives Day, Alley Rep is also holding a reading of my newest play, Half Past Midnight. This is the first public reading of this play; a play I finished the first draft of late last year. The event starts at 8pm on May 2 at the Visual Arts Collective in Garden City. Tickets are ten dollars at the door.
Half Past Midnight takes place over a weekend in mid-August. A group of friends congregate at a cabin near a remote mountain town for their annual fantasy football draft, a tradition spanning 15 years. Once as close as brothers, paths have separated the group over the years, but, for once a year, the path leads back to the cabin. Tensions mount between the friends as they attempt to strike a balance between embracing the past and progressing towards the future. As secrets seep out and as they deal with not only each other, but a host who is battling PTSD and simply holding on, the friends set out to see if they can recapture a piece of their glory days. Will they rebuild a friendship? Or will they find out that by constantly hanging onto the “good old days” simply means they just don’t have anything in common anymore?
Out and about in the Treasure Valley - May
Things get started with a blast on May 2 with Idaho Gives Day. May is jam packed with events and celebrations, with Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and graduations on the horizon. Here are just a few things to check out around the Treasure Valley in May.
- On May 8, check out Sophia McNeil's one-woman show LIFE at The District Coffee House. The show starts at 8:30 pm.
- Upstate will be playing the Neurolux on May 18. Boise-based band The Pearl Snaps is also on the bill for this night.
- HomeGrown Theatre kicks off their new season with She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen. Performances run from May 24 - June 8 at the Gem Center for the Arts.
- The Visual Arts Collective -- along with hosting the Alley Rep play reading -- has a silent auction (Art Deck-O) on May 3, an album release party for a.k.a Belle (5/4), and welcomes Xiu Xiu with guest Wend and Jün on May 22.
Thanks for stopping by. Be bold. Be kind.
To follow more inane thoughts regarding pop culture, sports, writing and more, be sure to follow on Twitter: @jasonrh_78