Murder At The Masquerade

Miss Scarlet, in the library, with the candlestick. Professor Plum, in the billiard room, with the lead pipe. Sound familiar? We’ve all played an intriguing game or two of Clue, but what if you had the chance to participate in a real “who done it” murder mystery? Well here’s your chance and it’s all for a great cause!

This Halloween Eve Civitan Services is hosting Murder at the Masquerade, a mystery dinner event. Twelve professionally trained actors from The Murder Mystery Company out of Nashville, Tennessee will lead this interactive comedy masked in murder and mystery. The Murder Mystery Company has entertained well-known corporate clients around the country including Coca-Cola, Disney and Apple and has received rave reviews from The Boston Globe and CBSonline.com.  According to their website, the masquerade themed event sets up like this:

“The rustle of silks and feathers under muted conversation was probably the last thing heard by the tragically and unexpectedly deceased at the Annual Billionaires Club Masquerade Ball.  With a mystery under each feathery façade, unmasking the killer may be quite a challenge. It’s up to you to determine which partygoer is guilty, bring this crime to justice and save the party. Attend the Billionaires’ Club Annual Masquerade Ball and help get this soiree back on track by trading clues with your guests, gathering information, and solving the crime before the masked menace gets away! Get ready for a glamorous evening of mystery, intrigue and, murder.”

Ashley Copple, Special Events Coordinator for Civitan, expects a killer performance.  “We are expecting 700 guests to join us for a great evening with professionally trained actors who will perform a two hour murder mystery in which somebody will die in a comical way and our guests will have the opportunity to solve the crime.”

The evening starts with the murder suspects mingling with Civitan guests from 6-7 p.m. while dinner is being served. During that time the suspects will be getting a feel for the crowd and selecting their “victim”. Throughout the evening guests will be given clues as to the killer’s identity and must use their best detective skills to solve the mystery.

Not only will guests be part of an interactive production, but will also be treated to a live chef experience presented by Dinner’s Ready.  “The chefs will be cooking made-to-order specialties with a choice of pasta sauce and add-in ingredients. Salad, bread, dessert and coffee are on the menu as well,” says Copple.

All proceeds raised through the event will fund Civitan’s building campaign for an expansion to the Bryant Campus. The addition will house Adult Services and will allow the organization to expand services from the 132 adults now being served to 210.  The operational plan calls for all adult clients to attend the Bryant Campus and the Benton facility will be converted to strictly Preschool Services, increasing service to 200 children.

The new building will include an outdoor courtyard, a large art instruction room, a physical fitness and therapy space and also a sensory room that gives individuals with autism and other sensory issues a calming space, free from bright lights, loud noises and crowds.

The Civitan Shoppe donation center, currently located on I-30 will also be moved to the new location. “Our clients work in both the Donation Center and The Civitan Shoppe as part of their pre-vocational training.  Having these two areas together will enhance job training and employment opportunities for adults,” explains Copple.

Civitan Services has been serving Saline County for 56 years in the form of Adult, Preschool, and Residential Services as well as Waiver Services including supported living and supported employment. Copple and the entire staff are dedicated to continuous improvement of facilities and services for those with developmental disabilities. “Everything we do is about our clients. It’s solely about better serving the ones we love.” In total, Civitan currently provides services to 250 children and adults each day.

To learn more about Murder at the Masquerade or the Civitan Services building campaign, call 501-776-0691 or visit the website at civitanservices.com.