A Message From STOMP cast member Mike Hall

Hey everyone!!!

My name is Mike Hall; I’m a performer with STOMP, and this is my first year being in the company. I’m originally from Indiana and have always wanted to travel the country, and graciously I’m able to do that with STOMP. I first found out about STOMP when I was in elementary school, and it was one of the numerous influences that encouraged me to pursue a career in percussion and performing.

The STOMP cast of the North America tour is a group of 12 individuals, all from different walks of life performing, discovering and exploring sounds that can be made with everyday ordinary objects. For instance, here is a small list of items that are used in the show: brooms, matchboxes, sand, rubber pipes, chairs, lighters, mops, sinks, newspapers, trash cans, trash can lids, paint cans, basketballs, poles, etc. We also have a part in the show where our bodies are the instruments; we call that “hands and feet.” Often times I’m asked what is my personal favorite part of the show, and that’s by far one of the hardest questions to answer. The entire show itself is so much fun, it’s too difficult to just pick one number and say it’s my favorite, in all honesty it varies from show to show.

I’m incredibly excited to be visiting and performing in Tempe. I’ve heard nothing but good things from the folks that have been there before, and personally I can’t wait to be in the warm weather! I also have a few friends that attend ASU (Go Sun Devils!) so I’m definitely looking forward to checking out the campus and seeing what it’s like for them to go to school there. They’ve told me if I’m going to be visiting then I need to check out the Sea Life Arizona aquarium, so that’s another thing on my list of “to-do’s” while in Tempe. All in all, I can’t wait!!

Life is Music, and Music is Life!!

Much love,

Mike

2011/2012 MILITARY FAMILY FIRST NIGHTS BEGIN WITH WHITE CHRISTMAS

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas was a great opportunity for me and my family to spend some quality time together and to remind me how important that time is. It wasn’t just being together with my mom and brother, it was the message that White Christmas sends. It tells a story about giving back to people who have made an impact in your life. It doesn’t have to been only during the holidays, it should be all year round. It’s called paying it forward. Thank you to some of the cast members who came out and met us after the show. That was a lot of fun learning a little about them also. I am so excited to see the next musical Wicked.

Christie Hoeye

****Christie attended Military Family First Nights where more than 100 family members of deployed military personnel received tickets to attend a Broadway performance at ASU Gammage.

“ASU Gammage is honored to continue this program and to be able to open its doors to military families. These families sacrifice so much for our country, it is our privilege to let them enjoy an evening at the theater together,” says Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, ASU Gammage Executive Director.

The program is made possible with the generosity of THE BROADWAY LEAGUE; long-time ASU Gammage donor and patron, Retired Command Sergeant Major Chuck Van Dam; US Airways; Blue Star Moms and the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). This three year program is a partnership with ASU Gammage and THE BROADWAY LEAGUE’S Family First Nights^® program specifically designed to encourage at risk families to attend theatre on a regular basis.

ASU Gammage will also host families to see WICKED and MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET as well this season. For more information about Family First Nights, please call 480.965.5062.