bspac

Auditions Announced for Crazy Quilt Club at Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 01:02:52 GMT

Borrego Springs, CA — The Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center is inviting community members to audition for the comedy mystery The Crazy Quilt Club, a staged theatrical production planned for March 2027.

Auditions will be held March 9 and March 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center. The production will be directed by Jennifer Looney and staged at the theater in March 2027 , giving performers ample time to learn lines and develop their roles. This production will be a fully staged play , not readers theatre.

The Crazy Quilt Club,is a fast-paced comedic whodunit set in a retirement home for passionate knitters, where mysterious events seem to follow one particular resident wherever she goes. The production calls for seven women and two men , primarily portraying characters of retirement age.

About the Play

The story centers on Veronica Blather , a sweet but curious elderly woman who spends much of her time knitting and solving murders—many of which occur whenever she happens to be nearby. After struggling to find a place to live because of her unusual reputation, Veronica accepts an invitation from her brother, Dr. Joe Lydecker , to stay at a retirement home for knitters.

The arrangement seems perfect—until a member of the group dies after drinking suspicious punch. Was it an accident, or was the drink poisoned?

Suspicion spreads quickly among the residents of the The Crazy Quilt Club, . Could the culprit be Matilda , the club’s formidable president? Or Clara , known for stretching the truth? Perhaps Sarafina , who trusts no one and carries a rifle to prove it?

As clues pile up and bodies appear, Lieutenant Jack McCoy arrives to investigate, though his presence only deepens the confusion. Along the way, a black widow spider, a mysterious cave, a gold nugget, and a late-night phone call add to the chaos. A storm eventually plunges the scene into darkness just as Veronica begins to piece together the truth.

The rapid-fire dialogue and eccentric characters keep audiences guessing until the final moments of this lively mystery comedy.

Available Roles

The production features roles for seven women and two men :

Matilda Thibedeaux – President of the The Crazy Quilt Club,
Myrtle Ipswitch – A curious snoop
Clara Quinten – A compulsive liar
Sarafina Litton – Proudly crabby and suspicious of everyone
Viola Underwood – A resident with a telltale allergy
Lydia Thornedyke – A character with unusual habits
Veronica Blather – Amateur sleuth and knitting enthusiast
Dr. Joe Lydecker – Physician for the residents and Veronica’s brother
Lt. Jack McCoy – The determined police officer investigating the case

Audition Details

Dates: March 9 and March 10, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center

Actors interested in auditioning can review the full synopsis and role descriptions at BSPAC.org .

This upcoming production offers community performers the chance to take part in a full theatrical staging at one of Borrego Springs’ central arts venues, with a full year of preparation before opening in March 2027.

Contact Gary at info@bspac.org if you have questions.

Auditions Announced for The Crazy Quilt Club

Darden

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:42:03 GMT

Darden

Friday Nov 28 2025 - 7:00 pm

Hailing from Orange County, California, Darden isn't just a band; they're a family of five siblings.

A BSPAC production, brought to you by Mitzi Matijevich and Option B Entertainment.

Clarah, Havilah, Tabbi, Josiah and Noah Darden have spent the last several years curating their musical sound which has been dubbed Alternative Americana. In their early years, they performed as a family band in various churches all around the U.S. Most recently, they ventured overseas, completing a German tour in 2022.

Each member of Darden adds his or her unique talents to the musical mix. Together, Darden creates its own unique blend of guitar, bass, mandolin, keys, and soulful harmony. Influenced by timeless bands like The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and The Beatles, Darden brings its own fresh perspective to the realm of Americana.

BSPAC Opening Night - Burnham Sings Bublé

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:37:24 GMT

Saturday, November 15 2025 - 7 pm

BSPAC’s Opening Night – Come at 6:00 PM for hors d’oeuvres and refreshments before the show! Broadway star David Burnham (Wicked, A Light in the Piazza) returns to the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center to celebrate the songbook of five-time Grammy Award-winner Michael Bublé.

BSPAC Opening Night Gala - Burnham Sings Bublé

Burnham recently appeared at Austin Cabaret with his sold-out, hit show "Celebrating Tom Jones!" and this time takes on Bublé hits, wit, richness, and charm in tunes like "Cry Me A River," "I Haven't Met You Yet," "Save The Last Dance For Me," "Sway," and many other fan favorites!

Doug MacLeod

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 05:17:40 GMT

Doug MacLeod

Friday Oct. 17 2025 - 7 pm

Blues legend Doug MacLeod brings award-winning songwriting, soulful vocals, masterful guitar, and unforgettable storytelling to the stage.

Doug MacLeod

A BSPAC production, brought to you by Mitzi Matijevich and Option B Entertainment.

Doug MacLeod is known for his superb songwriting, guitar wizardry, warm soulful vocals, wit, and unforgettable live performances. At the heart of a Doug MacLeod performance is his knack for storytelling, bringing characters from the faceless to the legendary to strikingly real life.

Doug is a multiple Blues Music Award winner, including the 2024 Blues Music Award for Acoustic Album Of The Year Raw Blues 1 and the 2023 the Blues Music Award for Acoustic Artist Of The Year. In 2025 he received two Blues Music Award nominations for Acoustic Artist Of the Year and Acoustic Album Of the Year Raw Blues 2. In 2022 A SOUL TO CLAIM produced by Jim Gaines was released. It was named a Downbeat Magazine ‘Album Of The Year’ for 2022.

Doug is an international touring artist who writes and sings original songs that are based on his own life and experiences. He learned from the old masters and carries forward a valuable tradition. As a youth, Doug overcame abuse and a crippling stutter by turning to music. After picking up a guitar, and singing - he found his voice.

MacLeod's playing landed him sideman gigs with George 'Harmonica' Smith, Big Joe Turner, Pee Wee Crayton, Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson, Lowell Fulson, and Big Mama Thornton. Over 40 years, 29 studio albums, several live records, compilations, two blues guitar instructional DVDs, and a live performance DVD, MacLeod has consistently earned raves. His songs have been covered by many artists including Albert King, Albert Collins, Joe Louis Walker and Eva Cassidy. MacLeod's songs have been featured in many TV movies and the hit show In the Heat of the Night. August Wilson requested his soulful slide guitar playing in the Los Angeles opening of "Gem of the Ocean”.

From 1999 to 2004 Doug hosted Nothin' But The Blues, a very popular weekend blues show on Los Angeles' KLON-KKJZ. He has also been the voice for The Blues Showcase on Continental Airlines. For ten years he penned "Doug's Back Porch," a regular feature column in Blues Revue Magazine in which he shared his humorous and insightful stories with thousands of readers. He is one of the four featured artists in the movie “Resonate: A Guitar Story”, the feature documentary on the making of National Guitars.

Like the old masters who taught him, MacLeod's music expresses life and times through an intangible, elusive quality that may simply be a keen sense of what matters most. Doug’s music, stories, and philosophy provide a healing that has helped others overcome the hardships of their lives.

Doug says the most important lessons he learned as a young musician came from Ernest Banks a one-eyed country bluesman from Toano, VA. "Never play a note you don't believe” and "Never write or sing about what you don't know about.”

As Blues Hall Of Fame artist Pee Wee Crayton's widow Esther once told Doug, "You have a message and you'll send that message mainly to the people who don't go to church." Amen

Testimonials:

Like all great blues men, MacLeod lives his music,

and the songs are not just on the tips of his fingers

and tongue, they are one with his being.”

- Blues Music Magazine

"One of the great blues artists... Period!"

- Jorma Kaukonen.

"Doug MacLeod is one of the last and most iconic

songwriters in blues that the contemporary scene

can still offer.”

- Macallé Blues

Turn Up the Sound Fundraiser 2025

Wed, 14 May 2025 04:42:21 GMT

Something special happened at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center this season—and you could hear the difference.

Thanks to the success of Turn UP the Sound , a two-night fundraiser co-hosted with the Borrego Springs Film Institute (BSFI), BSPAC has officially installed a state-of-the-art sound system that will transform every concert, live performance, and film screening for years to come.

A major highlight of the event was the return of acclaimed filmmaker Pat Battistini , who presented a slate of his award-winning short films, including Ms. Rossi, Ms. Rossi Takes the Cake, and Mrs. Rossi Meets the Mob. Audiences were treated to behind-the-scenes stories, laughter, and insight during Battistini’s Q&A sessions. His presence brought excitement and a personal connection that truly energized the crowd and reminded us why great storytelling—and sound—matter.

What Was Installed

This wasn’t just a speaker upgrade. The new system includes:

2 main speakers for full-stage sound
2 subwoofers to bring depth and clarity to music and effects
2 delay speakers to ensure consistent sound throughout the theater
4 front-fill speakers to reach the first few rows with precision
4 under-booth delay speakers to complete the immersive experience
All-new amplifiers and audio processing hardware
A custom-built amp rack and full system tuning to dial in the perfect acoustics

Whether you’re attending a musical performance, a community theater production, or a film festival screening, you’ll now enjoy a clear, rich audio experience in every seat.

Why It Matters

For a small community like Borrego Springs, BSPAC serves as more than just a stage—it’s where we gather, celebrate, and connect. With this audio upgrade, the center ensures that everyone, including guests using hearing assistance devices , can enjoy performances at the highest quality.

It’s a major step forward in making performing arts accessible and unforgettable in the desert.

Bringing Performing Arts to the Desert Since 1990

Wed, 14 May 2025 03:35:49 GMT

Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center

The Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center (BSPAC) board has been curating cultural experiences for the community since around 1990. Every year, the board meets during summer or early fall to set a new season’s schedule—typically planning between eight and ten diverse events.

Each season is a mix of professional performances and local talent. Two or three events annually feature Borrego Springs residents—whether it's a play, a musical evening, or a variety show. The rest of the lineup includes touring artists and performers brought in to share their talents with the community.

Beyond BSPAC’s own productions, the venue also serves as a stage for other organizations. For example, the Anza-Borrego Foundation has hosted “Jimmy’s Annual Front Porch Revue” here for the past several years, raising funds for the state park.

Serving local youth has long been a priority. In partnership with the Community Concert Series, BSPAC invites visiting performers to stay an extra day to offer performances at local schools. This gives Borrego’s students access to cultural experiences they might not otherwise have—whether at the elementary or high school level.

BSPAC is also proud to be the founding home of the Borrego Springs Film Festival, offering a consistent space for film and storytelling each year.

At its core, BSPAC exists to ensure that Borrego Springs—a small desert community—continues to enjoy high-quality performing arts. This mission remains central as the center evolves and welcomes the next generation of artists and audiences.

Video Credit: Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce (2023)

bspac

Auditions Announced for Crazy Quilt Club at Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center

About the Play

Available Roles

Audition Details

Auditions Announced for The Crazy Quilt Club

Darden

Darden

Friday Nov 28 2025 - 7:00 pm

BSPAC Opening Night - Burnham Sings Bublé

Saturday, November 15 2025 - 7 pm

BSPAC Opening Night Gala - Burnham Sings Bublé

Doug MacLeod

Doug MacLeod

Friday Oct. 17 2025 - 7 pm

Doug MacLeod ﻿

Turn Up the Sound Fundraiser 2025

What Was Installed

Why It Matters

Bringing Performing Arts to the Desert Since 1990

Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center

Doug MacLeod