ABOUT THEATRICAL MEMENTOS...

Theatrical Mementos began innocently enough as Thompson & Iacopelli Limited Edition Theatrical Mementos in July of 2001. Mary Jo DeNolf, Volunteer Coordinator for the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre in Michigan, informed G.M. (Bud) Thompson that GRCT was considering centralizing the production of the commemorative show shirts that were made available to the casts and crews of each show they did. Knowing Bud had a background in design as well as having done shirts for a variety of other occasions and organizations, Mary Jo suggested Bud approach GRCT about taking on this process.

As he mused on the demands of doing an entire season of show shirts, Bud realized he would need some help. He approached Matt Iacopelli, a recent high school graduate who had established himself as a consistent and highly reliable presence at GRCT as an actor, sound designer/engineer and stage manager (who had also coordinated shirts for a recent show). Besides his involvement at GRCT, his status as a college freshman at a downtown GR campus would put him near the theatre on a daily basis. Matt agreed to help, and on July 29 the partnership was born.

Shortly thereafter, GRCT agreed to let them take their shot. Utilizing the advantages of a long-term, multiple show commitment, Bud and Matt quickly took their respective experiences in show shirts and developed a sophisticated ordering and production process (most of which is still in use today... see how it works under the Join Us section!).

While they were still working on 'Rebecca,' their first shirt project for GRCT, a member of that cast approached them about doing shirts for his high school cross country team. They designed and printed that project (see the 'Hawks' art in the 'Portfolio' section) and soon they were working with a variety of organizations doing everything from show shirts to ski team apparel.

During that first show, they joked about having a website someday, but only five months later the volume of projects they were doing made internet accessibility an attractive and valuable option. With the invaluable help of Tom Bush, a web designer and mutual friend from the GRCT 'Sweeney Todd' cast, and later with the expertise of Danny Triant, a programer and fellow cast memeber from GRCT's "Ragtime," the website you are now visiting was conceived, created, and expanded.

We are proud of the quality and quantity of work we have been doing, and are extremely grateful to everyone who has invited us to be a part of their organizations and/or productions. To date, we have had the privilege of working with (all are in the Grand Rapids, MI area, unless otherwise noted):

PROFESSIONAL THEATRE ORGANIZATIONS
Red Barn Playhouse (Saugatuck, MI)
Better Than Vegas (Grand Rapids, MI)
Mason Street Warehouse Theatre (Saugatuck, MI)

COMMUNITY THEATRE ORGANIZATIONS
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
KMR Diversity Theatre
Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids
Circle Theatre
Heritage Theatre
LAAC Thebes Players
Actors' Theatre

SCHOOL THEATRE PROGRAMS
Colleges:
Grand Valley State University
Aquinas College Thespians
Calvin College
Grand Rapids Community College Players
Hope College Summer Repertory Theatre (Holland, MI)

High Schools:
Sparta High School
Forest Hills Central High School
Caledonia High School
Kenowa Hills High School
West Catholic High School
Wyoming Park High School
Grand Rapids Christian High School
Catholic Central High School
Excel Charter Academy
Comstock Park High School

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS & EVENTS
Fennville High School - Cross Country Team
Forest Hills Central High School - Orchestra
Forest Hills Northern High School - Alpine Race Team
Grand Valley State University - Mu Phi Epsilon Music Fraternity
City High School Spirit Week
Bosse-Sanders Family Roundup (Baltimore, MD)
Skylar Contruction Flag Football Team
GR Christian High School - Forensics Team
GR Christian High School - Sr. Literature Advanced Placement
Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock (W MI Chapter)
Crane Orchards Haunted Corn Maze 2004 & 2006 (Fennville, MI)
Reeths-Puffer Middle School Chiors (Muskegon, MI)
East Grand Rapids Class of 1960 Reunion
Gayal Fox Photography
Orchard View Middle and High School Choirs (Muskegon, MI)
Northview High School Powder Puff
Johnson Controls, Inc. Annual Tech Campus Family Picnic (Holland, MI)

We look forward to working with you in the very near future.

G.M. (Bud) THOMPSON grew up in New Jersey and moved to Michigan to attend Hope College in Holland, from which he graduated in 1974 with a B.A. in Communications. He stayed in Michigan, working an interesting spectrum of jobs, until relocating to Chicago to get his Master's degree from McCormick Seminary in 1984. He then spent 15 years in professional Youth Ministry in the Presbyterian Church. After that, he spent thirteen year as a Design & Production Assistant at McCarty Communications in Saranac (who were indispensible in helping Theatrical Mememntos get off the ground). These days, he works for Oce Business Services as the manager of the Copy Center inside Johnson Controls, Inc. in Holland, MI and lives in Grand Rapids.

Bud has been designing publicity art for almost every group and job he's been involved with since high school. His other primary creative outlets are the theatre as an award-winning actor and also a director, technician and published playwright (visit www.dramaticpublishing.com) and music as an award-winning folk/rock composer and performer.

He would like to dedicate his performance in 'Theatrical Mementos' to his Mom & Dad (for this weird mix of anal-retentiveness and creative ability), to Matt (for his help and friendship) and to God (who has moved in some very mysterious ways since this adventure began).

MATT IACOPELLI Is a student at Kendall College of Art & Design where he is studying Interior Design. Things have certainly changed since Matt graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre. Besides going back school, Matt recently walked down the asile and married his wonderful sweetheart, Lynn. That is right ladies, Mr. Iacopelli is off the market for good, sorry (at least this Mr. Iacopelli... there are several more to choose from...). Now with all this change Matt has not forgotten about his love of theatre. He still Stage Manages, House Manages and can be found attending many shows around Grand Rapids.

By the time Matt graduated Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids, MI, he was not only an Eagle Scout, but had won an art award and compiled an impressive list of theatre stage credits as well. Notable among his numerous performances was an appearance in the professional touring production of 'Joseph..Dreamcoat' starring Sam Harris.

After that, Matt focused on the technical side of theatre, including stage managing and especially sound design and engineering. He is the winner of Grand Rapids Civic Theatre's 500 + Hours and 700+ Hours Volunteer Awards, and is proud to have had the privilege of being entrusted with major production responsibilities (including sound engineering shows involving 20+ actor body mics, a full orchestra, and incidental sound cues... all at the same time) at the third largest community theatre in the United States. In the Fall of 2002, he was awarded the Grand Awards Scholarship.

While studying theatre at Grand Valley State University he also enjoyed a return to the stage as an actor in The Laramie Project, as a "cractor" (ask him) in The Actors' Nightmare and as half of the cast of the powerful Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.

Matt has stage managed, sound designed, and coordinated props for numerous shows and organizations in the GR area, including being part of the stage management team at Mason Street Warehouse Theatre, a professioinal venue in Saugatuck, MI.

Know that every shirt you buy will help his education... and his marraige... and their new house... OK, and even thier new puppy... in some way. So spend freely.