Do you love theatre? Do you wish you could “tread the boards?”
Here’s an invitation too exciting to let pass you by.
This Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., Kymme Patrick’s community theatre company Theatreworks is holding an information afternoon for all those “wannabe” thespians who would like to participate in the two productions planned for Summer Stage 2011.
The session is to be held at the Courtenay Little Theatre space behind the JET-FM radio station and promises a wonderful opportunity to find out all about the two shows Theatreworks has planned for this season.
Patrick, with her talented, highly professional, creative outlook and skills, says of her return to developing wonderful theatre for Comox Valley audiences, “This past six months has been a journey of obstacles for me.
"I am so looking forward to it becoming once again a wonderful theatre journey working with the children and doing the things that bring me joy. It has been way too long since I have been able to access my creative side and I am ready to jump into another exciting summer program.”
With her colleague, Ross Stephanson, and the assistance of young adult mentors who Patrick has personally trained, the exciting and original works Theatreworks is noted for are soon to be onstage again for the enjoyment of all.
For the junior children (five to 13) the production Patrick has written is Once Upon a Time and as the title suggests showcases fantastic characters from stories old and new, for the young and young at heart and every age in between.
There will be many familiar characters featured in Patrick’s original script and the children involved will have great opportunities to bring them to life onstage.
“Each child can step into their favourite character’s shoes from stories such as The Wizard of Oz, Curious George, Pippi Longstocking, Harry Potter, Series Of Unfortunate Events, to name just a few. Of course, as with all good stories, there will be a force to be reckoned with and in doing so the young actors will have the fun of saving their character from being erased forever from the Bookworld,” says Patrick.
The senior group (13 to early 20s) will have the benefit of working with Stephanson.
With his inimitable skills as an accomplished actor, a drama teacher of many years standing and a skilled director known for being open to ideas, positive and professional, Stephanson is looking forward to bringing to the stage for the first time, a tale set in Medieval times titled Dance Princess … Dance!
The story focuses on a widower king with five beautiful daughters who become afflicted with a compelling force that threatens to destroy their lives. Reflecting on the moments of high drama as well as moments of lighthearted humour in the original script Stephanson says, “I see wonderful opportunities for the senior group to explore and create original, multi-faceted characters through the intense process of discovery.
"The challenge (and fun!) will be to dig really deep into the character’s psyche whilst drawing upon their own thoughts, feelings, unique experiences and insights to develop a well-rounded, believable personality for their character.”
TheatreWorks looks forward to welcoming returning students and new faces, too, this Sunday.
For more information, contact Kymme Patrick at theatreworks@shaw.ca or visit www.theatreworksonline.ca.
— Theatreworks