Karen Ross

Nearly 2 million of California's low-income students have missed out on free, balanced meals from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program, putting health and academic achievement at risk and leaving millions of federally allocated dollars on the table. Through promotional efforts with state and local partners, Dairy Council of California is raising awareness and building support for summer meals in honor of National Dairy Month in June.

'Out of Sterno' begins with meeting Dotty (Nora Thomas), the 23 year old heroine of the play. She is peppy and funny, and expresses her positive slant on everything in her very small world. She also lets us know that her husband, Hamel (Rafael Medina) won't let her leave their apartment, but that she is fine with that. She spends her days working on art projects and watching video recordings of the day she met her husband, 7 years earlier.

'Out of Sterno' begins with meeting Dotty (Nora Thomas), the 23 year old heroine of the play. She is peppy and funny, and expresses her positive slant on everything in her very small world. She also lets us know that her husband, Hamel (Rafael Medina) won't let her leave their apartment, but that she is fine with that. She spends her days working on art projects and watching video recordings of the day she met her husband, 7 years earlier.

Dotty's life in Sterno with her husband Hamel is absolutely perfect! It's a fairy tale, it really is. True, in their seven years of marriage Hamel has forbidden her to leave their tiny apartment or speak to anyone, but Dotty is so very happy to spend her days watching video re-enactments of the day they first met. When a phone call from a mysterious woman threatens to tear their world asunder, Dotty must venture out into the vast city of Sterno, and try to discover what it is to be a "real" woman.

No Strings Theatre Company presents John Patrick Shanley's engaging and heartwarming dramatic comedy, "Outside Mullingar," directed by NSTC's Artistic Director, Ceil Herman. The play, opens NSTC's 2016-2017 season, opens Friday, August 26 and runs through Sunday, September 11 at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Main Street in Las Cruces.

No Strings Theatre Company presents Tom Stoppard's entertaining and engaging award-winning play, "The Real Thing" directed by NSTC's Artistic Director, Ceil Herman. The play opens at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N Main Street in Las Cruces runs through Sunday, July 3.

The Gilbert and Sullivan Company of El Paso's first production of the 2015-2016 season, 'Bob: A Life in Five Acts,' opens Friday, August 21. Information is below. NSTC is thrilled that this year, their patrons will be treated to a completely different seating configuration with new, very comfortable chairs and new risers at the Black Box Theatre.

No Strings Theatre Company presents the Southwest Premiere of 'Mad Gravity' a kooky new comedy by William Missouri Downs, the author of 'Cockeyed,' previously produced by No Strings Theatre Company has a final performance on Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 pm. at the Black Box Theatre, 430 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces. Wyoming Playwright William Missouri Downs will be in attendance and there will be a champagne reception following the performance.

Reprising the roles they played last year in No String's Theatre Company's (NSTC) enormously successful production of 'Greater Tuna,' Las Cruces actors Algernon D'Ammassa and David Reyes star, in "A Tuna Christmas," a hilarious and entertaining comedy which opens November 21, 2014 at the Black Box Theatre (BBT), 430 N. Downtown Mall in Las Cruces.

MURDERERS by Jeffrey Hatcher has extended its run through Sunday, May 18 at No Strings Theatre Company.

No Strings Theatre Company presents 'Greater Tuna' an entertaining and engaging comedy by Jaston Williams, Ed Howard, and Joe Sears, directed by NSTC's Artistic Director, Ceil Herman. 'Greater Tuna' is now performing in Deming NM at the Voiers Park Theatre in a beautiful outdoor space. The final performance is 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 29.

In “Corn Rose: A Novel” (published by AuthorHouse), Karen Ross Epp's new book, readers take a look inside the world of the women who paved the way for future generations of women in the workplace. Epp says, “Through their sacrifice and courage we enjoy a place at the boardroom table or the dinner table, whichever we choose.”

Despite being completely busy preparing for the concert staging of A TOUCH OF VENUS, Paul Hope, Artistic Director and Founder of Bayou City Concert Musicals, took a break from his busy schedule to talk to me about his innovative and charitable organization. Since it's inception, Bayou City Concert Musicals has been providing Houston audiences with well-produced and lauded performances of often-neglected musicals. Continuing to grow an ever-increasing loyal audience and fan following, I asked Paul Hope to tell me more about Bayou City Concert Musicals and the shows they choose to produce.

Bit of a Stretch Theatre Co. is continuing their tradition of bringing complex and thrilling theatre to Houston audiences with Michael John LaChiusa's operetta-like musical FIRST LADY SUITE. Just a couple years out of high school, the young administrative and creative team behind Bit of a Stretch Theatre Co.'s productions is simply inspiring, producing a series of fantastic theatrical events. These talented young artists find and direct casts and crews that convey the intricate works they choose so well that the audience can't help but be blown away, and they make it look so easy on top of it all.

On Saturday evening, August 11th, at 7:30 p.m. center stage at The Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre (BRIFT) will once again come alive in the most hilarious of ways. Three short plays by award-winning writer Christopher Durang will be performed by actors trained by Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds. The Burt Reynolds Institute is an intimate venue with limited seating. Due to the demand for tickets, this return engagement will once again allow theatre goers to enjoy an evening of laughter and relaxation.

hile many of us realize the great responsibility our Presidents assumed when they were inaugurated, few consider how their wives were affected. In a series of four beautifully scored one-act musicals by Michael John LaChiusa, First Lady Suite journeys into the lives of four First Ladies - Jackie Kennedy, Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman, and Eleanor Roosevelt - and the people around them. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the production photos below, which opens tonight, July 26, and runs through August 5.

In a series of four beautifully scored one-act musicals by Michael John LaChiusa, First Lady Suite journeys into the lives of four First Ladies - Jackie Kennedy, Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman, and Eleanor Roosevelt - and the people around them. "Weird, Funny, and Wigged out," according to the NY Times, the piece meditates on finding one's identity and how we all must struggle to find our own way while in the shadow of another.

On Saturday evening, July 28th, at 7:30 p.m. center stage at The Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre (BRIFT) will come alive in the most hilarious of ways. Three short plays by award-winning writer Christopher Durang will be performed by actors trained by Hollywood legend Burt Reynolds.

In a series of four beautifully scored one-act musicals by Michael John LaChiusa, First Lady Suite journeys into the lives of four First Ladies - Jackie Kennedy, Mamie Eisenhower, Bess Truman, and Eleanor Roosevelt - and the people around them. "Weird, Funny, and Wigged out," according to the NY Times, the piece meditates on finding one's identity and how we all must struggle to find our own way while in the shadow of another.

Main Street Theater presents the world premiere of Driftwood by Lans Traverse. With previews March 27, 28 and 30, Driftwood opens April 1 and runs through April 25 at Main Street Theater - Rice Village, 2540 Times Blvd.