Saugatuck, MI: The Saugatuck Center for the Arts has a history of stepping out into the community and using the town’s assets as backdrops for videos promoting upcoming shows. Because the SCA designs its own productions (including original sets, costumes, and choreography) traditional marketing materials don’t exist for the shows. So the SCA gang has gotten creative, building promotional materials that are often tied to unique community spaces and places.

The fun began in 2018 when they shot the cast of Once: The Musical in a series of videos (Video 1, Video 2, Video 3) in places around Saugatuck and Douglas, using only an iPhone and no microphones. Once is set in the streets of Dublin and in a pub, so the SCA sought out areas in town that matched the show’s aesthetic. Later that year, Dixie Longate (Dixie’s Tupperware Party) pranced around town making stops at Uncommon Grounds, Lakeshore Resort, and The Dunes.

In 2019 the SCA continued this community tradition, adding new gear, multiple cameras, mics, scripts, and choreography. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical In The Heights was the first show of the summer. ITH is set in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, so the SCA went into Saugatuck for three videos highlighting the town’s tree-lined streets, colorful storefronts, and marinas.

The promotional videos for 2019’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder featured an exquisite private residence in Douglas. These particular videos (Video 1, Video 2, Video 3) required full scripts and rehearsals. “We had the perfect home that very much resembled our own set,” said Kurt Stamm, Artistic Director at Mason Street Warehouse at the SCA. “The actors were in full costume which looked fabulous. It really gave people a taste of what the show would be like.” 

Fortunately, live theater has returned in 2021 and the SCA is featuring three wonderful shows on its new outdoor stage, beginning June 30 with Shout! The Mod Musical. Shout! takes you back to the swinging ’60s with an irresistible blend of hip-swiveling hits, fabulous fashions, and outrageous dance moves. It’s a non-stop journey through the infectious, soulful pop anthems and ballads that became the soundtrack for a generation, and there’s one place in Saugatuck with the perfect aesthetic: – Retro Boat Rentals at The Old Boathouse. “Lauren and John (Stanton & Sharar, Retro Boat owners) were incredibly gracious, giving us full run of their space. From the colors to the furniture to the vibe — the space set the perfect swinging tone,” Stamm said.

The video direction, conceived by Kurt Stamm, Jay Gamboa, and Nathan Turland, nods to choreography in the show but had to be adjusted to fit the set and space at Retro Boats. “We had a ball choreographing mini numbers in their building, on the docks, and even ending up in a boat. It’s another great snapshot of our community featuring some iconic spaces.”

“It’s so much fun spending time in the community, highlighting the town itself alongside the production’s talent. Saugatuck has a personality of its own and I think both visitors and locals alike enjoy watching our productions come to life in these “on location” videos”, says Scott Meivogel, Director of Photography at the SCA.

You can watch the two videos below and buy tickets here: BUY TICKETS