Thousands of fans came together on Saturday, August 9th, at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, just minutes from Wellington, FL, to celebrate Kesha’s T!ts Out’ Tour. Many attendees arrived in bold, glittering outfits that reflected their personalities, valuing sexual freedom. This concert was the perfect place for Kesha and her fans to create a space where sexuality, like fashion, music, or art, is an extension of self-expression. A spirit of unapologetic freedom that finds its perfect partner in FEELD’s ‘Freedomme’ campaign, celebrating authenticity, empowerment, and connection without judgment.
During the concert, Kesha shared, “I love creating community on tour for my fans. One of the biggest problems of today is that we are so connected yet feel so disconnected and lonely. One of the beautiful parts about my tour sponsor, FEELD, is that I think love and connection and touch are really important to human beings’ well-being… I love that FEELD creates a safe community for people to be really who they are, being actually what they’re into, and can help make this world a more pleasurable, loving place.”
Watching the crowd of fans of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, and sexual orientations, it was clear that her words rang true—everyone was fully embracing themselves, connecting freely, and celebrating one another in a vibrant, judgment-free space.
Since Kesha went viral for joining FEELD and openly identifying as “omnisexual,” kinky, and dominant, she’s been asking fans, “Do you feel free?”—and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. She mentioned during her concert that the diversity she sees in each city mirrors the eclectic, open-minded spirit of her audience. With FEELD as the main sponsor, the dating app serves individuals who value authenticity and self-expression, and Kesha is proudly living her truth while inviting others to do the same. At its core, the partnership thrives on these shared values, celebrating freedom and self-expression.
The West Palm Beach stop of the tour captured that same magic. The night was more than a concert. It was a gathering of kindred spirits who believe in living without shame, celebrating their desires, and embracing every color of their identity. The crowd was as much a spectacle as the show itself, with outfits that defied convention, connections that sparked instantly, and a collective energy that proclaimed, “We’re here, we’re free, and we’re proud.”
FEELD’s Freedomme campaign and Kesha’s T!ts Out’ Tour converge at the crossroads of music, identity, and intimacy. Together, they serve as a powerful reminder that real connection begins when we shed filters, masks, and fear of judgment—and fully embrace who we are.
Monday, August 25, 2025- (West Palm Beach, Fla.) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties were surprised by a local donor who wanted to give local kids in need the opportunity to go back-to-school shopping.
Robert Certilman previously sponsored shopping for Littles of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island, as the owner of the Smithtown Acura dealership, and wanted to support his local community now that he resides in Florida. He contacted the Palm Beach and Martin County CEO, Yvette Flores Acevedo, to plan a fun and exciting shopping spree for back-to-school clothes and supplies.
On Saturday, August 2nd, in Lake Park, dozens of kids of all ages (littles), along with their parent/guardian/big brother or sister, lined up outside a store ready to go shopping. Robert handed each child/teen a gift card with $150 to buy new clothes and supplies from their classroom lists. Approximately sixty-three kids went shopping and had fun.
“The back-to-school season often brings added pressure for many families, but thanks to Robert’s support, our Littles are starting the year with not only the supplies they need, but also a sense of excitement,” said Yvette Flores Acevedo, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently seeking volunteers (adults) to be mentors. “It Takes Little to Be Big, is the name of the campaign to challenge the myths and shift perceptions of mentoring and why now, more than ever, mentorship is critical to the success of kids today. Today, one in three kids in America is growing up without a sustained, positive adult mentor in their lives, and over 200 boys are on the wait list for a mentor in Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BSA/BBSA) recognized the Martin County organization in 2007 as one of the thirty-five best-performing agencies nationwide. Recently, this chapter was awarded the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BSA/BBBSA) Growth Award for program excellence in 2023. Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently seeking volunteers (adults) to be mentors. It takes Little to be Big! is the name of the campaign to seek men and women to become a big brother or big sister. There is a large number of boys (300) waiting for a mentor; there is an urgent need for mentors. Men and women are needed to volunteer a little time to make a big difference in a kid’s life. There are many ways to get involved in this charity based in both Palm Beach and Martin Counties. Visit https://mentorbig.org/becomeabig/ to learn the many ways to start your journey.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties:
BBBS provides children facing adversity aged 6-18 with volunteer mentors who serve as positive role models. Since 1986, the organization has provided mentors to children in Martin County and, since July 2010, in Palm Beach County. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BSA/BBSA) recognized the Martin County organization in 2007 as one of the thirty-five best-performing agencies nationwide. Recently, this chapter was awarded the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BSA/BBBSA) Growth Award for program excellence in 2023. The Growth Award recognizes agencies that have demonstrated growth in the number of (“Bigs”) and youth (“Littles”) who are matched through the program, year over year. In the past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties has served 446 youth and grown its local services by seven percent. Visit www.mentorbig.org to learn more.
Enjoy a spectacular twilight procession through the Roji-en: Garden of the Drops of Dew, and explore the peaceful Yamato-kan, the Morikami’s original museum, during the annual after-hours event series.
Discover the enchanting fusion of traditional Eastern-meets-Western style during “The Journey of Japanese Fashion: Heisei (1989–2019) to Reiwa (2019–Present)” fashion show presentedby Mirai Con in the Morikami Theater. Performances are at 5:50pm, 6:35pm, and 7:20pm.
Experience live taiko drumming by Fushu Daiko on the museum’s lakefront terrace. Performances are at 6:10pm, 6:50pm, and 7:30pm.
Visit Yamato Island and sway to the peaceful melodies of ancient koto music performed by harpist Emiko Koto.
Kanpai! Raise a glass and savor premium artisanal sake from Japan (Niigata Sake Selections), complemented by Asian-inspired cuisine from Cornell Café, Kaminari Ramen, Ramen Lab, and Akiko-ya Traditional Japanese Sweets.
Cost is $5 for members and $12 for the general public. Food and beverages are purchased separately.
Space is limited. Rain or shine. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the door.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org.
Nonprofits First Celebrates 2025 Rising Leaders Graduation at National Croquet Center
(West Palm Beach, FL) – August 22, 2025 — Nonprofits First proudly celebrated the graduation of its 2025 Rising Leaders class on Friday evening at the stunning National Croquet Center, where over 75 guests gathered to honor the next generation of nonprofit changemakers.
This year’s ceremony featured a powerful keynote address by Virginia Savietto, Palm Beach County School Board Member and Nonprofits First Board Member. Callie Sharkey, Director of Education and Training at Nonprofits First, facilitated the program and proudly introduced the graduates. Trudy Crowetz, President and CEO of Nonprofits First, reflects on the graduates’ journey: “These Rising Leaders are not just stepping into roles—they’re stepping into purpose. Leadership is not about titles; it’s about action, empathy, and vision. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to service are the heartbeat of our sector’s future. These graduates are proof that when we invest in people, we invest in the future of our communities.”
Service-Learning Projects That Made a Difference
As part of the program, Rising Leaders collaborated with local nonprofits to tackle real-world challenges through innovative service-learning projects:
Myla’s Beleaf: Identified a game-changing CRM system and developed a strategic list of potential partners, which included a plan for building lasting relationships.
Opportunity Early Childhood Education & Family Center: Delivered a comprehensive Board of Directors Training Manual, Onboarding Plan, Recruitment Plan, and Succession Plan.
Community Partners of South Florida: Developed a staff mentorship program aimed at enhancing employee retention and cultivating a culture of growth and support.
Sounds of Success Summer Camp of the Arts: Created a summer camp curriculum that was successfully implemented this season.
Freeprenuers: Standardized the BraSense program curriculum and forged a new partnership with the Junior League of Boca Raton.
The Rising Leaders program, launched in 2005, is Palm Beach County’s premier leadership development initiative for emerging nonprofit professionals. Over the course of eight months, participants gain practical expertise in leadership fundamentals such as emotional intelligence, communication, team motivation, and public speaking. The program also explores advanced competencies, including influence and persuasion, ethics, conflict resolution, negotiation, project management, and leading organizational change. With a strong emphasis on servant leadership and real-world application, Rising Leaders engage in dynamic sessions, interactive exercises, and a collaborative service-learning project that empowers them to drive meaningful impact in their communities.
Nonprofits First extends its deepest gratitude to its educational partners and supporters, including the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County, the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, the Quantum Foundation, and Allegany Franciscan Ministries, whose contributions make this transformative program possible.
About Nonprofits First, Inc.: Since 2005, Nonprofits First, Inc. has been the leading resource for strengthening the administrative and operational capacity of nonprofit organizations in the community. Comprised of experienced professionals, consultants, and volunteers, the vision of Nonprofits First is a community in which all nonprofits achieve their highest level of desired impact. For more information, visit www.nonprofitsfirst.org.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – This September, the iconic Hilton West Palm Beach will showcase a plethora of exciting, interactive programming. Jump into fall with feel-happy fitness classes and sunbathing by the pool to live music and to acclaimed live jazz at Palma and Flavor South Florida’s dynamic prix fixe dinners at Galley and Moody Tongue Sushi.
Pool Activations
Poolside Sessions
Saturdays
12-4pm
$25+
Hilton’s weekly pool party is the perfect pitstop for luxurious relaxation and a local DJ dropping vacation-mode beats. Food and drinks specials. Non-hotel guests may purchase a ResortPass for day access here.
Health and Wellness
Full Moon Yoga with Brit Lukas
Sunday, September 7
8-9pm
$10 per person
Free for hotel guests
Harness the powerful energy of the full moon as you release, recharge, and realign. Join certified yoga teacher and personal trainer Brit Lukas as she guides you through a gentle heart opening practice under the full moon. This is a yin yoga practice and open to all levels. Please bring your own yoga mat. To register, click here.
Moonlight Floating Sound Bath
Thursday, September 18
8-9pm
$50 for in-pool floating bed
$10 for poolside lounger
Poolside lounger free for hotel guests
Drift into deep relaxation under the stars during this unique 60-minute floating meditation, guided by local guru Martha Popova. As you float in Hilton’s resort-style pool, immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of live healing instruments—singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and flutes—designed to elevate peace and well-being. To register, click here.
Sculpt & Sweat with Cloe Mimun
Saturdays
9-9:45am
$10 per person
Free for hotel guests
Join personal trainer Cloe Mimun for a low-impact HIIT style class which incorporates barre and Pilates style movements while using bodyweight to increase the intensity. All levels are welcome. To register, click here.
Sunrise Yoga with 1 Fitness
Sundays
9-9:45am
$10 per person
Free for hotel guests
Soak up the sun with 1 Fitness who will lead guests through yoga sequences to warm up the mind, body, and spirit, as well as focus on alignment, strength, balance, and flexibility. All levels are welcome. To register, click here.
Live Music
Jazz Nights at Palma
Saturdays
6-9pm
Sway to the smooth sounds of live jazz at Palma, a glamorous, golden sanctuary tucked in Hilton’s lobby. Sip signature cocktails from Palma Bar and let the music set the perfect weekend mood.
Dining
Golden Hour
Daily
4-6pm (Bar only)
Snag a seat at the bar and get happy at Galley. Chef de Cuisine Joel Rodriguez’s aperitivo happy hour menu features light bites and heavenly craft cocktail pairings.
Flavor South Florida(Available September 1-30)
Galley
$60 per person
Galley’s Chef de Cuisine Joel Rodriguez’s Flavor menu offers a playful spin on South Florida classics. The three-course prix fixe menu highlights tropical dishes like spicy tuna tataki tacos, grilled swordfish with bruschetta caponata and lemon garlic cream sauce, steak frites, and a decadent Key lime tart with strawberry gelée. For reservations, click here.
Moody Tongue Sushi
$95 per person
Thursday-Saturday 5pm Seating
Nestled inside Hilton West Palm Beach, Moody Tongue Sushi will present an exclusive, eight-course omakase experience for Flavor. The tasting menu will highlight hyper-seasonal, elevated sushi and curated beer pairings from MICHELIN-starred Moody Tongue Brewery. For reservations, click here.
Hilton West Palm Beach is located at 600 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 231-6000 or visit hiltonwestpalmbeach.com.
Carbonell Awards Names MARY DAMIANO as Winner of this Year’s Charlie Cinnamon Award
48th Annual Carbonell Awards will be Presented November 17 at 7:30 pm at FAU’s University Theatre in Boca Raton
(South Florida – August 12, 2025) Gary Schweikhart, board president of the Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s Theater & Arts Honors, today announced the recipient of the third of seven prestigious Special Awards that will be presented at the Carbonell Awards Ceremony on Monday, November 17, at 7:30 pm at FAU’s University Theatre in Boca Raton 33431.
“While we will be honoring in 20 competitive categories specific theatre performances, production elements, and shows presented between September 2024 and August 2025, the Carbonell board of directors has unanimously voted to also bestow the following Special Award,” said Schweikhart.
The Charlie Cinnamon Award
Honoring an individual who contributes significantly to the support of the arts in South Florida and to the Carbonell Awards program.
Mary Damiano
Mary Damiano is the managing editor of Biscayne Times, theater reviewer for The Palm Beach Daily News, and writer for Miami Artburst, REimagine magazine, and The New Pelican newspaper. She is an award-winning writer, editor, and theater critic who has covered the South Florida arts scene since 2000. She has had more than 3,000 articles published in dozens of publications, including the Miami Times, Miami Herald, Sun-Sentinel, New Times, South Florida Gay News, She Magazine, The Palm Beach Post, BroadwayWorld.com, and MiamiARTzine.com, of which she is the founding editor, shepherding the online arts magazine through its first 100 issues. Damiano has been a Carbonell judge since 2004. She served as panel coordinator for the Carbonell Awards from 2008 until 2014 and was managing director of the organization from 2014 until 2020. She has also served as vice president of the South Florida Theatre League and vice president of the Oakland Park Art & Culture Board. Mary believes her greatest accomplishment is getting paid to be entertained.
In nominating Damiano for this award for this award, Zoetic Stage Co-founder Stuart Meltzer proposed that she “is long overdue for some recognition for her contributions as an arts journalist and Carbonell judge. Mary’s commitment to theatrical journalism has kept her in print for as long as I’ve been working professionally in this community. Her sense of humor, her heart, her eagerness to celebrate every theatre company, and her love of what she does is an example of longevity and survival.”
The Charlie Cinnamon Award is named after the legendary press agent who promoted the arts in South Florida for more than six decades
Previous Winners of the Charlie Cinnamon Award:
Veteran reviewer and founder of FloridaTheaterOnStage.com Bill Hirschman (2023); longtime critic and Carbonell judge Hap Erstein (2022); Jennifer Sierra-Grobbelaar Director of Marketing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts (2019); Tony Finstrom, playwright and founder of the Silver Palm Awards, (2018); and longtime arts patron and Carbonell judge Jerome J. (Jerry) Cohen (2017).
Already Announced Carbonell Special Awards 2025
+ The George Abbott Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts
William Hayes & Sue Ellen Beryl, co-founders of Palm Beach Dramaworks
+ The Jan McArt Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Small Theatre
New City Players
+ The Vinnette Carroll Award for Advancing Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in South Florida Theatre
Michel Hausmann, Miami New Drama
Schedule to Announce Additional Carbonell Special Awards
+ The Ruth Foreman Award – August 19
+ The Bill Hindman Award – August 26
+ The Howard Kleinberg Award – September 2
+ The Bill von Maurer Award – September 9
+ 120 Carbonell Award Finalists in 20 Categories – September 16
All the 2025 Special Award recipients were nominated by members from South Florida’s theatre community with the Carbonell Board of Directors making the final selection. The 120 Carbonell Award Finalists will be based on accumulated scores from the nonprofit organization’s pool of nearly 50 experienced and diverse volunteer judges—with seven judges from various counties assigned to each show. During the 2024-2025 season, Carbonell judges adjudicated over 100 professional productions at more than 30 theatres across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties.
This season’s Carbonell Awards will be presented at a glittery ceremony on November 17 that is South Florida’s version of Broadway’s Tony Awards®. Hundreds of actors, musicians, performers, writers, directors, back-stage technicians, producers, reviewers, designers, specialty artists, and diehard theater fans are expected to attend the event that is being produced and directed by Andrew Kato, Producing Artistic Director/Chief Executive of the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, with the award-winning Caryl Fantel serving as Music Director. Tickets for the ceremony and after party are only $45 and will go on public sale in mid-September.
Sponsors of the 48th Annual Carbonell Awards ceremony and after party include the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts; Aventura Arts & Cultural Center; BroadwayWorld; Broward Center for the Performing Arts; Broward Cultural Division; Carbonell Sculptures Ltd.; Cultural Council for Palm Beach County; Donald M. Ephraim Sun & Stars International Film Festival presented by MorseLife Health System; FPL; Kravis Center for the Performing Arts; Lesser, Landy, Smith & Siegel, PLLC; Miami-Dade County Auditorium, The Dennis C. Moss Center (formerly The South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center), OutClique Magazine, South Florida Cultural Consortium; South Florida Theatre League,Mark Traverso & Conor Walton, and Donald R. Walters, P.A.
About The Carbonell Awards
The Carbonell Awards fosters the artistic growth of professional theater in South Florida by celebrating the excellence and diversity of our theater artists, providing scholarships, and building audience appreciation and civic pride by highlighting achievements of our theater community. More than 20 professional theater companies in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties participate in the awards process every year. The Carbonell Awards also celebrate the accomplishments of local artistic leaders by presenting various Special Awards.
Along with New York’s Drama Desk and Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Awards, the Carbonell Awards are among the nation’s oldest regional arts awards and predate others, including Washington, D.C.’s Helen Hayes Awards. The Carbonell Awards are named after the internationally renowned sculptor Manuel Carbonell, who designed the signature solid bronze and marble award given annually to Carbonell Award winners. Over nearly half a century, the Carbonell family has donated more than $250,000 in awards. For more information, please visit www.carbonellawards.org.
The Giving Genie, a charity founded by Maria Camila Medina, is unlocking a brighter future for women and girls in Mozambique through transformational educational programs.
“From 2013 to 2015, I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mozambique. Living there, I knew it was only a matter of time before I would start a non-profit to help the people of Mozambique,” Medina said in an interview with Around Wellington.
After returning to America to work in disaster management, she later moved into the nonprofit sector. Following her marriage and the birth of her children, she faced a new challenge.
”I had to find my own space as a working mom because I found out that some companies don’t value or accommodate mothers.”
Facing the challenges of motherhood in 2022, she decided to seek a new path, driven by the unwavering belief that her true calling was to help others.
With a master’s degree in nonprofit administration from Louisiana State University of Shreveport, Medina founded The Giving Genie, channeling her expertise into an organization that provides tuition assistance to youth in Mozambique.
The Giving Genie operates by partnering with local organizations and volunteers to achieve its goals. Funds from donations and business sponsorships are used to support its diverse programs, which provide education and resources to underprivileged communities and students in Mozambique.
A place such as Mozambique is often subject to natural disasters, particularly tropical cyclones that ravage the land. Their huts are often torn to shreds.
Medina’s master’s degree in disaster management and experience responding to federally declared disasters in Louisiana and Florida inspired her to create the Genie Corps Emergency Response Program (G.C.E.R.P.).
Designed by Medina and conducted by local partners like Grupo T4S, the Genie Corps Emergency Response Program (G.C.E.R.P.) trains students in Mozambique with crucial skills, from CPR to psychological interventions. The program provides them with certifications accredited by ANEP (Autoridade Nacional de Educação Profissional), which is the National Authority for Professional Education in the country. This official recognition empowers them to become community leaders.
As a woman and mother, Medina understands the struggle that girls go through. Seventy percent of those that The Giving Genie certifies are women. They don’t just certify for disaster management, either. Through their initiative, Empower Her, they help young women get an education in entrepreneurship as well as trade certifications.
“We work with women who want to be entrepreneurs or want to be in business or have a business, and we educate them on how to do a startup, [like] how to register their business, how to come up with a name, how to do a marketing plan, how to do a business.”
Through partnerships with educators and local NGOs in Mozambique, The Giving Genie provides women with the tools and mentorship they need to become entrepreneurs. At the program’s conclusion, these women will pitch their business ideas to an audience of donors and partners with the goal of securing investment.
Despite all the charity that The Giving Genie has done, there is still one major hurdle that it must clear.
“Most of the grants, when you go and look for the funding, they want that tax exemption.”
Due to the current status of The Giving Genie not being tax-exempt, it hasn’t been able to secure grants and funding it otherwise would be able to. Most of their funding comes from a partner brand, Chakalaka Hot Sauce, where one dollar per sale goes to The Giving Genie.
“If I want to help all these people, I need to have funds, and donors are going to want to make sure that my organization is tax-exempt.”
They filed in February for tax-exemption, but it can take up to a year for an organization to be fully deemed a non-profit.
“Countless women face expectations and limitations around the globe, but I am a firm believer that we are not defined by them. We can, and we will, create our own experiences and forge our own way, proving that our greatest strength lies in our ability to define ourselves.”
Connect with Camila:
Camila Medina Founder/ Chief Technical Adviser, The Giving Genie
Please join the Wellington Garden Club for their monthly meeting on Monday, November 4, 2024. We meet at the Wellington Community Center located at 12150 Forest Hill Boulevard. The meeting starts at 9:30 with a Social complete with coffee, tea, or juice paired with delicious delicacies brought in by our members. The meeting begins at 10:15 with the introduction of our illustrious guest speaker. The business meeting begins once the speaker is finished which is normally around 11:00.
Our November Guest Speaker is Dr. Paul Gray. He is the Science Coordinator for Audubon Florida’s Everglades Restoration Program. Dr. Gray is going to talk about the History of Human Relationships with Waterfowl.
Every month, the Wellington Garden Club goes on a fun excursion to one special place around Palm Beach County. We call these monthly excursions Around and Abouts, and this month we are going to Cluett Memorial Garden located on the grounds of The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea. The address is 141 S. County Road, Palm Beach Florida. We are also touring Kit Pannill’s Garden, which is a private garden on Palm Beach. The excursion begins at 9:30.
Come to our meetings and you will discover a fun group comprised of people whose interests are as varied as flowers in a garden. Some of us like to garden while others just like to enjoy the beauty of a garden. Our members enjoy photography, flower arranging, teaching monthly art classes, theatre, butterfly gardening, youth gardening, and many other passions. Once a month we meet at a member’s house to enjoy their garden and possibly a bottle of wine at our Sunset Social.
We hope to see you at our meeting!! If you have any questions or need address clarification please call:
While many fans of ‘live’ theater focus on making trips to London’s West End and/or to New York’s Broadway to see popular and highly acclaimed theatrical productions, one of the world’s most unique and breathtaking venues to watch a ‘live’ show or musical can be found in the great outdoors in the southwestern section of England. This ‘living’ monument to ‘live’ acting, singing, and dancing is called the Minack Theatre, which was built in the county of Cornwall, just a few miles west of Penzance and a few miles east of Land’s End.
Believe it or not, but the Minack has been in existence since August 16, 1932. Simply put, very few, if any, descriptive words exist in the English language to accurately describe the Minack Theatre and what it’s like to watch a musical or play performed here. You truly have to see it to believe it. And, once you see it, you may not believe it.
The layout of the Minack Theatre is both a positive and a negative for set designers.
“Our stage is a challenge for designers, being moulded by the contours of the cliff with most of the audience seated high above the actors. But, there are compensating advantages – we can use fireworks and some very special effects as part of a performance,” said Rebecca Thomas, Director of the Minack Theatre.
Under the guidance of founder Rowena Cade, this theatre has literally been carved out of the side of a seaside cliff, as it overlooks the Atlantic Ocean in the near distance. Right now, there is seating for 500-700 people. At the Minack, the ‘live’ performances start around Easter and continue into mid-October, though there are special seasonal performances in the winter.
But, for the most part, the winter is a time to refurbish the Minack Theatre for the following spring, according to Thomas.
“During the winter months we are busy working on the maintenance of the site, which is quite fragile, and undertaking essential building and refurbishment works, while our gardeners are reseeding and nurturing the grass on the terraces, which gets heavily worn by feet (and bottoms) during the summer,” said Thomas. “We’re also very busy preparing for the season to come. With over 40 different shows taking place during the summer, there’s a lot of preparation to do with the companies and setting up all the promotion and ticketing.”
Since every production is conducted outdoors, there are two major factors which can impact every production: the weather and marine life.
“For us, wind is generally a worse problem than rain,” said Thomas. “It is our policy to play in rain, unless it is unsafe for actors or audience. Though, if the forecast is awful, we may cancel a performance in advance. Nature always plays an elemental part in the drama. The silver trail of moonrise over a dark sea is a regular event that outshines the best lighting design in the world.”
Unlike the weather, which can be forecasted, the arrival and impact of marine life is always a surprise.
“Animal performers also take their turn in the spotlight,” said Thomas. “Many a show has been gate-crashed by a pod of dolphins crossing the bay or a cheeky seal bobbing up round the Minack Rock, while diving gannets frequently entertain the audience before the performance.”
While a number of talented and famous actors and actresses have performed at the Minack Theatre, they are never the stars of any given performance.
“The theatre itself is the true star!” said Thomas. “Quite a few notable British actors have performed here, often in their early years, but not many that are likely to be familiar across the Atlantic. Older people might remember Michael York (Cabaret, Three Musketeers). He played Romeo on the Minack stage in an Oxford University student production in 1963. Five years later, he was cast as Tybalt in Franco Zephirelli’s iconic film of the play. We’ve also had some big names in music, including Suzanne Vega and Midge Ure, though not on the same bill.”
Of all the many unique and memorable performances in the history of the Minack Theatre, one of them was tied to an international tragedy. On April 14, 2012, the Minack Theatre staged a midnight matinee of Titanic – The Musical to mark the centenary of the loss of the ‘unsinkable’ ship.
“The performance began at 10:40 pm, timed so that the moment our ship hit the iceberg would be 100 years to the minute from the actual event, apart from a difference in time zones, but this is theatre!” said Thomas. “The Atlantic Theatre Company was formed specially to create this project, but no-one could have planned the day that unfolded. The weather was freezing and early that afternoon the theatre was hit by a violent storm of hailstones which did not melt. The cast, crew and staff frantically shovelled a frozen blanket from pathways and seating, and the audience arrived to find piles of ice still heaped around the terraces.”
As the Titanic – The Musical sailed towards its climax, a dark shape slipped into the bay and when the crew of the Titanic fired off their distress flares, they were answered by more flares out at sea as the Penlee lifeboat appeared off the Minack Rock.
“A training exercise had secretly been arranged to coincide with the performance,” confirmed Thomas.
While the majority of the performances at the Minack take place at night, the evenings are not the only showtimes. When students are on their summer holidays, there are usually matinee performances on Tuesdays and Thursdays plus family storytelling shows on the weekdays where there’s no matinee.
“And, our education team works all year round with local schools, community and social care groups providing access to creative arts training, activities and opportunities for all ages, especially the young,” added Thomas.
“The Minack is a charity, and the preservation of this unique place is entirely funded through the income from our visitors and the shows we put on. We are also proud to be part of the West Cornwall community, and our revenue enables our education team to work extensively with local schools, community and social care groups, providing free of charge access to creative opportunities for all ages, especially the young. This is an important part of our remit in preserving the legacy of Rowena Cade,” added Thomas.
The Minack Theatre – www.minack.com – awaits your arrival.
