As part of its Event Night series, Courtenay Little Theatre will be presenting a spontaneous “pop-up” play reading on Tuesday, Feb. 18. The impromptu reading will be at the CLT Space, 2683 Moray Ave. in Courtenay with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the reading starting promptly at 7 p.m.
Much like the popular pop-up choir gatherings, nothing is required of the participants except their attendance. To help recoup the expense of licensing the material from Dramatic Publishing Services for the evening, a 50/50 draw will be held (three tickets for $5) and cash donations will also be accepted at the door.
“The objective of the evening is, first and foremost, to have fun. No preparation is required or encouraged. This is not an audition. It’s a cold read with actors of all different backgrounds and experience, in keeping with CLT’s mission to provide opportunities to discover the joy of theatre,” said organizer Val Macdonald.
The play being read is Larry Shue’s The Foreigner, a comedy with seven speaking characters, set in a fishing village in Georgia. Those who wish to read will be randomly assigned roles throughout the evening. Everyone who wishes to read will get a chance and those who wish to just watch are welcome to participate as the audience. No experience is required and scripts are provided.
“The random nature of the role assignments means that multiple readers will portray a character throughout the evening, and all casting will be gender and age ‘blind,’ as we say in theatre,” says Macdonald. “This is a safe and fun way to try out your inner actor!”
You do not need to be a CLT member to participate; however, annual CLT memberships of $20 for an individual, $25 family, and $10 student will be available at the meeting for those who wish to join. CLT is the Comox Valley’s award-winning community theatre whose next production, Doubt, a Parable by John Patrick Shanley, directed by Kymme Patrick, runs at the Sid Williams Theatre April 3-11.