Ray Aragon, a native of New Mexico, went to college in Kansas on a football scholarship and remained in Kansas to raise his family. Aragon returned to New Mexico and the Roswell Community Little Theatre, (RCLT) is glad he did.
In August of this year, Aragon played O’Shaughnessy in the modernized adaptation of Mark Twain’s Is He Dead. Aragon picked up an Irish accent and a jig to go with it, taking to the role with gusto and leaving the audience laughing because of his antics and performance delivery. In an interview for this article, Aragon revealed that he tells a silly Irish joke in character at least once a year. When he was cast as O’Shaughnessy, he watched tutorials and practiced diction. But he also states that it doesn’t have to be perfect to work well.
Aragon said that he enjoys the teamwork of theater where the people involved work together to make the performance a success and make everyone shine. For him, theater is a creative outlet. In each rehearsal, he tries to tease out a little more of the character and make way for the entire cast to enjoy the experience and do their best. He hopes the audience will enjoy the performance as much as he does.
Aragon felt at home quickly in the RCLT community. He is supportive of the stage crew as well as the cast. Ray is also a huge help during set building and set strike. He is quick to learn his lines so that he has ample time to polish and add details that raise the standards for the entire cast and crew.
Aragon is able to transfer much of what he learned on the football field to the stage. He said that performing live is like “game day” because some nervousness sharpens your effort, but being prepared takes over when the curtain goes up.
Aragon is pleased to be cast in the upcoming RCLT play, Farce of Habit. This play is a comedy and Aragon’s talents both on stage and behind the scenes will help make the show something you won’t want to miss.
Farce of Habit is a James Hope and Wooten comedy set at the Reel ‘Em Inn fishing lodge. Ray plays the villainous Jock McNair who is a relationship guru with an ego the size of Texas. This comedy is perfect for RCLT, with a fabulous cast and crew. It is directed by one of our greatest directors, Louise Montague, and opens on Friday October the 13th. For a great “laugh out loud” evening, don’t miss Farce of Habit.
Michael Bozeman has been in theater most of his life. He began acting for a Christian drama group out of the First Church of the Nazarene. His face lights up recalling his first line as one of the lions in Daniel and the Lion’s Den. “You can say that again.”
Fans of the Roswell Community Little Theatre will recall Michael's impressive Improv skill. He is quick-witted and a strong physical comedian and a great troupe leader for Mission Improvable.
Michael’s talent extends far beyond stage work. His murals for scenery and set design have delighted audiences. For RCLT’s 65th season opener, “Is He Dead?” audiences will get to see a taste of Paris rising above the set thanks to Michael.
His talent and curiosity drive Michael to study theatrical arts. In his very limited spare time, he tunes in to older television shows that feature physical comedy, sharp timing and great set management.
Michael is great at performing on stage, whether it's in an Improv or a scripted play. He can become any character required for the performance and enjoys the element of surprise in live theater.
Michael stars RCLT’s Curtain’s Rising fund raiser, at the Liberty this year. Come see Michael in, I Love You to Deatha Speakeasy dinner theater, this Saturday. See his mural at the theater inIs He Dead?
Keaton Hartwell has been in the dramatic arts since he was a child. He began in KAPS (Kids Arts Programs) when it was located at the First Presbyterian Church of Roswell prior to 2013. He began working with the Improv Ensemble at Roswell Community Little Theatre (RCLT) with Alethea Hartwell's fist improv performance at RCLT in 2021.
Physical comedy is one of Keaton Hartwell's strengths. A product of the Commedia dell'Arte, a school of the dramatic arts developed in Italy in the late 1500's, physical comedy showcases athleticism and timing. Many of us have enjoyed this type of comedy in theater and on television, with the likes of Charlie Chaplin, John Ritter, Dick Van Dyke, Jackie Chan, Jennifer Aniston, and Bette Midler to name a few. The Pratt fall, the "Drunken Master," and even the double-take can be types of physical comedy. It lends itself beautifully to improv. In the photo, Hartwell seems to be falling, even though he is still in control of his actions. It's lively, funny, and compelling stage work.
Hartwell is not the only physical comedian in the ensemble. Lynetta Zuber, Michael Bozeman, and new members Jacob Sanders and Brice Hager have great strengths in this area.
Hartwell, Hager, Bozeman, Zuber and Sanders are all athletic and have wonderful senses of timing -- two things critical for physical comedy. They are also quick witted and enjoy being on stage. They connect with the audience. All of these qualities make a great fit for improv.
The Improv ensemble at RCLT is filled with many fine talents and the performance will be fun for all ages. Don't miss this Friday's show, interact with the cast, put some great comedy in your day. This live improv will be Friday, Nov. 4, 7:30 pm at the Roswell Community Little Theatre. We hope to see you there.
Unexpected Guest, an Agatha Christie murder mystery opens tonight with Louise Montague at the helm and just in time for Halloween.
Louise is a seasoned and talented director at Roswell Community Little Theatre, RCLT, with an "I can do that" spirit and zeal for her work. She has assembled a great cast and stewarded them well through set, costume and stage management and fun if rigorous rehearsal. Louise is proud of her work here and with good reason. The drama is a truly entertaining story that will keep the audience guessing, "who done it" until the very end.
Deona Anderson is a a talent in her own right. A wonderful actress with a flare for character, she has taken on the assistant director position for Unexpected Guest. In so doing, RCLT has clearly been gifted another strong resource. Her clear understanding of blocking and stage management, have helped cast a crew to polish their performance and enhance the actors' character immersion.
Come and see why we are all so excited about this latest Roswell Community Little Theatre production, opening tonight at 7:30 at the RCLT.
Patti Stacy has been a blessing to the Roswell Community Little Theatre, RCLT, for over twenty years. She has captured roles for films made in New Mexico and has had numerous roles in productions in RCLT. Her many talents include a strong knowledge of theater from on stage to behind the scenes and in management. Patti has governed RCLT as board of directors chairwoman and board member for years.
A masterful director, Patti enjoys finding and helping new talent. Patti has been instrumental in planning renovations and assisting with the move from RCLT's old location to the new and improved facility on Union.
She is a pleasure to work with and fabulously capable. From scaling ladders, nail gun in hand, to stabilize a set wall, to working with a nervous first-timer, Patti is indispensable at RCLT. She is one of the directors for the current production at Roswell Community Little Theatre. She Loves Me is light and fun and Patti has assembled a strong cast. Come and see Patti's latest work.
She Loves Me opens August 12th at 7:30, in the Roswell Community Little Theatre, with six performances: August the 12th, 13th, and 14th, and again August 19th, 20th and 21st. The Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday performance is at 2:30 p.m. We'll see you at the theater.
Native New Mexican Adele Bozeman is a true friend of Roswell Community Little Theatre. From serving on the board and numerous committees to fundraising, filling in in the sound room, improv and acting, Adele does it all, and she does it with humility and grace. She has been acting and involved in theater since she was young. One of her fondest performances was The Mouse that Roared. She says with a smile that being on stage is fun - maybe even kind of a clean "high."
As a young mother, Adele became interested in Christian drama, thanks to Vonnie Goss. At first, she performed dramatic readings at her church. Later, she turned to more involved, fuller scripts. She taught all of her children to act and has enjoyed working with them ever since. Her daughter, Alethea Hartwell, was the first in the family to enjoy the RCLT. At Betty Lou Cheney's direction, Adele followed her daughter to the Little Theatre.
Adele tells of a rich history in theater. Once, while performing a skit at church, her daughter Lynetta wanted her mother. Adele picked up Lynetta and kept on acting without missing a beat. Another time, she was on stage in a role that required she work barefooted. Of course, in the desert southwest, most public places have goat heads. As she stepped, Adele's foot found one of the painful little spikes. She said her line and carried on, finally making her exit and removing the thorn.
Adele's next performance will be in She Loves Me. She is sure to charm. It is a fun musical with a family rating.
She Loves Me opens August 12th at 7:30, in the Roswell Community Little Theatre, with six performances: August the 12th, 13th, and 14th, and again August 19th, 20th and 21st. The Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday performance is at 2:30 p.m. We'll see you at the theater.
I am a mother, author, engineer, farmer, occasional actress, and incurable dog-sap. I think things and write things and embarrass myself often.