SEQUIM – The Olympic Theater Arts Center has unveiled its 2021-2022 theatrical season: “Stories of an Irrepressible Humanity”, with a full program of comedy, drama and music.

“Like everyone else, we have had to adapt during the pandemic,” said Pete Griffin, director of marketing.

“And while we didn’t want to dwell on this, we wanted to find a way to celebrate our human ability to adapt in difficult times and sometimes even come out better.”

OTA’s season of five shows includes:

• Ease of living – a comedy by Katie Forgette, on stage from September 30 to October 17. A retired actor moves into a prison turned into a care facility for the elderly shortly after Medicare went missing and discovers a community of inmates determined to fight the dehumanizing system they have landed in.

• A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play, adapted by Joe Landry, on stage from December 2 to 19. The play is based on the timeless classic by Charles Dickens, but told from the setting of a 1940s radio show. It’s a chance to relive a favorite ghostly holiday tale that reminds us of just how cuteness and compassion make all the difference.

• Angel Street (gas lamp), a drama by Patrick Hamilton, on stage from February 10 to 27. This Victorian thriller tells the story of a young wife whose fragile mental state is at stake between her potentially dangerous husband and an eccentric detective claiming to have the answers.

• Heroes vs. Villains: a musical review, organized by OTA, on stage from April 14 to May 1. In this music review, OTA features the best of heroes and the worst of villains.

• Life Cover, a comedy / drama by RT Robinson, on stage June 9-26. In 1943, three young wives keep the house fires going while the men go to war. Local history attracts the attention of Life Magazine. The life cover is about the struggle for self-esteem, full of southern charm and poignant humor.

“This season is a celebration of all we’ve learned over the past year and a reminder that, through the power of storytelling, humanity continues to move forward,” said Ginny Holladay, Acting CEO .

“I’m especially excited to lead Angel Street (Gaslight), with his timeless warnings about how easy it is to destroy someone through mental coercion and the importance of giving power back to those who need it most.”

True to the tradition of previous seasons, the OTA worked with local artists to help market the shows. This season’s artists are Suzan Noyes, Richard Workman, Ryoko Toyama, Sadie Baar and Jim Bradrick.

The season’s five productions will perform on the Elaine and Robert Caldwell Main Stage for three weekends each, leaving the theater’s historic Gathering Hall open for special events, classes and workshops.

“We look forward to having more music, storytelling, art workshops and other engaging activities for the public in the gathering room this season,” Griffin said.

“We’re also revamping our membership concept this year, adding invitations to first script readings, some rehearsals and other open house opportunities. We would like OTA members to feel more involved in theater, so we are looking for other ways to get them ‘behind the curtain’.

“Membership is a property at OTA, and we would like our members to really know what they are investing in. ”

The OTA season 21-22 rollout took place on Friday when the first showcase of new community theater works opened, celebrating short works by local writers on stage.

A short video showcasing the season will be posted on the theater’s website at OlympicTheaterArts.org and on the Facebook page.

For more information on season tickets, call 360-683-7326 or drop by the theater office at 414 N. Sequim Ave. between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday to Friday.

You have to be at your best to perform outdoor theater on a wet stage in front of a rain drenched audience.

But that’s precisely what the youngsters of Best Theater Arts did on Monday night by directing Olympiaganza as part of the Roman Theater Festival in the Gorhambury Amphitheater.

Because barely some of the young cast members sat on stage before the show started when it started to rain – and that is how time continued throughout the performance.

Were they appalled or reluctant in the cold and wet conditions? Not at all.

They wholeheartedly threw themselves into a show that brought together a multitude of Greek myths and legends, most of which only gave a superficial nod to Homer, but was nothing but fun.

Outstanding Olympiaganza Theatrical Art Production at the Roman Theater Open Air Festival in St Albans.
– Credit: Best Theater Arts

Not that the finished product at the Roman Theater was the only pitfall suffered by Best, a part-time theater school for young people who, on this occasion, staged his 12-15 years.

The first rehearsals had to take place online because of the pandemic, they had to observe a distance from themselves when they could rehearse together, and then to top it off, the cast members had to self-isolate by due to positive cases in their schools.

Despite all of this, they put on a fun show that surpassed the vagaries of the weather and demonstrated the best of young talent.

Outstanding Olympiaganza Theatrical Art Production at the Roman Theater Open Air Festival in St Albans.
– Credit: Best Theater Arts

Of course, there were issues – the audio system was erratic at times, the cast members were missing their signal (although that only added to the fun for the audience) and the wooden horse that ended. the Trojan War seemed to have lost its mind.

But none of this mattered because against all odds, the Best Youth Theater Group (BYTE) provided audiences with an evening of entertainment that overcame the questionable English summer.

Outstanding Olympiaganza Theatrical Art Production at the Roman Theater Open Air Festival in St Albans.
– Credit: Best Theater Arts

Some of them were very funny, the vocals were excellent, especially the voice of Lottie McCallum as Orpheus, and a sea of ​​awesome performances, Oliver Spooner as Hercules and Menelaus stood out. .

Olympiaganza, directed by Lisa Schulberg and Dawn Hudson, might have been a bit too long, but on a warm summer evening, it wouldn’t have mattered.

And for one who has often wondered where local drama groups would find future talent, I now know they don’t need to look any further than the youngsters of Best Theater Arts.

The Roman Theater Open Air Festival 2021 takes place at the Roman Theater of Verulamium in St Albans.
– Credit: Tim Morozzo

The virtual family, the first play published by Jeremy Johnson, explores the intricacies of a world so dependent on technology. Posted in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, this piece is humorous and utterly relatable. Until July 5, the public can enjoy a production of The virtual family virtually. Directed by Gina Wagner, this TAFE (Theater Arts for All) production features a talented cast and crew aged 10 to 77! The virtual family is a series of skits that can be interpreted as a complete show. It tells the story of a family – mom, dad, grandmother, son, daughter, cat and kitten – examining their relationships with each other and with technology.

The first scene is one of the most hilarious. In this scene, Mom, played by Jennifer DiMercurio, interacts with AALIX, played by Sofia DiMercurio. AALIX is an artificial intelligence, like Alexa, which can search for information, play music, etc. Sofia DiMercurio maintains a perfectly flat effect, showing no emotion on her face or robotic voice, which is no small feat! Hilarity ensues as mom, in search of a turkey meatball recipe, talks to AALIX like she’s a real person and AALIX still doesn’t understand mom’s orders. Jennifer DiMercurio uses her facial expressions and vocal tone to display the frustrations we all experience with technology that doesn’t always work the way we think it does. It’s a brilliant scene that’s nice to watch in the hands of the DiMercurios.

As the play progresses, we meet Dad (Montez Ritter), Grandma (Priscilla McFerren), Son (Kalil Nasrani), Daughter (Talia Lamb), Cat (Rosie Gray), and Kitten (Anne Gray). Ritter delivers all of his “daddy jokes” with excellent comedic timing. He particularly shines in his scene with Toothbrush, performed by Haven Simmons. Yes, that’s right, Toothbrush. Dad gets an app that allows him to interrogate electric toothbrushes to replace the broken one. Simmons shows off his acting skills as his character takes on three different characters in an attempt to get Dad to make a purchase.

McFerren portrays Grandma, who does quite well with technology, but sometimes needs the help of her grandchildren. McFerren highlights Grandma’s enthusiasm for Pinterest in such a way that it’s contagious, and audiences will certainly understand her confusion over the complexities of technology. Nasrani’s son is so realistic in his extreme irritation at being the tech guru for his family that parents and grandparents watching him will be willing to punish him on the spot.

The girl is one of the more complex characters, as she talks about her feelings about virtual school and being isolated from her friends. Lamb gives a wonderfully nuanced performance, making Daughter one of the most relevant characters on the show. One of Daughter’s funniest scenes is her disastrous workout with mom and Fab. Fab, played by Crystal Ganong, is a virtual exercise program. Ganong infuses the character with great energy and his daughter’s reactions when Fab berates her for her looseness are hilarious.

Rosie and Anne Gray represent the family’s pets: the cat and the kitten. Between their costumes and their feline ways (like licking their paws), it’s easy to think of them as cats. Cat has a wonderful scene with Bobert. Bobert is a cleaning robot, similar to Roomba. When Cat worries about whether Bobert might be trying to get his tail, her expression is just endearing. Matt Bahn plays the role of Bobert. Bahn does a great job describing the full spectrum of Bobert’s personality – from excited and happy to serve to overwhelmed, overworked and in need of maintenance.

Throughout the performance, the actors bring out the complex relationship between people and technology – our dependence on it, our frustrations with it, and our need at times to separate ourselves from it. This family-friendly show will make the audience laugh in their own living room. Visit www.tafepa.org to get tickets to this production online as well as information on upcoming auditions and performances for their return to the shows in person.

SEQUIM – The first showcase of new works from the Olympic Center for the Theater Arts has launched and is in rehearsal, with tickets available now for shows from July 16-18.

After accepting submissions for nearly a year, the Olympic Theater Arts Center selected six short pieces by local authors and produced the first-ever showcase of new community theater works.

A team of established and new to OTA directors are working with a cast of local actors, ranging from veterans to newbies, to bring these stories to the stage for the first time.

The showcase will be dedicated to the late Jim Guthrie, a longtime OTA volunteer, playwright and columnist, journalist and editor of the Peninsula Daily News. Guthrie died aged 81 in November.

Her submitted work, “Searching for a Heart”, will close the six-piece series each evening.

“The late and great Jim Guthrie made us laugh until the end and beyond,” said director of that play, Tia Stephens.

“I am so honored to be directing his final work with a cast who admired him.”

Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on July 16 and 17 and at 2 p.m. on July 18.

Tickets cost $ 15 for the general public, $ 13 for OTA members, and $ 10 for students with a school ID card. They are available at the theater box office at 414 N. Sequim Ave., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday or online at www.Olympic TheaterArts.org.

The works are:

• “Goodbye Cruel World,” by Susan Noyes, directed by Kyle LeMaire – Two women make a suicide pact, but fate steps in.

• “Dance Your Dance”, by John Painter, directed by Christy Holy – A poignant comedy about five souls whose conversations in death reveal their perseverance in life,

• “City of Sequim: Heart of Darkness & Lavender Capital of the World”, by Gabriel Mills and Sarah Brabant, directed by Marissa Meek – A satirical adventure through Sequim.

• “Joie de Vivre”, by Suzanne Bailie, directed by Christy Holy – A dark comedy that explores how far humans will go to keep their joie de vivre in a future where they can live forever,

• “I Dance for Purple,” by Aurora Lagattuta, directed by Ginny Holladay – An isolated woman finds freedom and connection through imagination, music and dance.

• “In Search of a Heart,” by Guthrie, directed by Stephens – A sweet and funny tale reminding us that our best heirlooms will live on in the hearts of others.

“This showcase aims to showcase the written voices of our community,” said Holladay, Acting Executive Director and Director.

“There is no rush like producing a brand new piece of work, and there is nothing more creatively inspiring to me than music and dance. This spectacle is breathtaking. ”

A replay of all the cast was conducted earlier in June in the main auditorium. This was the first time all the cast had gathered to read the entire show, and it will be the last until the dress rehearsal in early July.

Several authors of the selected pieces were also there to hear their lyrics read on stage for the first time.

“Everyone was delighted to be there,” said “Goodbye Cruel World” author Noyes.

For more information, call the theater at 360-683-7326.

The Department of Theater Arts at the University of Iowa recently completed a national search to fill the position of Acting Senior Professor. The department has announced that Caroline Stefanie Clay will join the faculty this fall as the Acting Principal Professor of the MFA Acting Program. Clay has appeared on Broadway in Little Foxes, Doubt and more, with film and TV credits including the role of “Cece Colvin, The Matchmaker” in Grey’s Anatomy, as well as roles in Shameless, The Knick, Law & Order: SVU, House of Cards and this season’s first ABC of United We Fall. She is currently attending the world premiere of Charlayne Woodard’s In the Garden, a co-production between Baltimore Center Stage and La Jolla Playhouse. Full biography below.

“If these times say anything, it’s that the dreams and aspirations of our young change makers cannot be denied. They are the heirs of these new constantly evolving paradigms: both stimulating and sublime. They need to be fed and supported, ”Clay says. “Joining my Mary Beth Easley, Paul Kalina and my esteemed colleagues in the Theater Arts Department is an incredible honor and opportunity. Iowa’s conservatory-style programming is bursting with rigor, amplified cultural diversity and spaces. created that are vital and necessary. I look forward to sharing my training and experience with these emerging artists as they create viable and vibrant careers. “

“We couldn’t have been happier to have Caroline Stephanie Clay join our faculty,” said Department Director Mary Beth Easley. “She is a beloved member of the professional actor community, someone who is regularly ‘invited to the table’ by our professional colleagues. A beautiful human being and a passionate advocate for artist development, Caroline brings to the table. both extensive hands-on experience and a solid, nurturing a teaching pedagogy that will greatly enhance our artistic community. I look forward to welcoming Caroline to the Drama Arts Department family and witnessing the growth of our students through to their interactions with her in class and on stage. “

Caroline Stephanie Clay (SAG-AFTRA, AEA) is an actress, director, educator, playwright and vocal coach. On Broadway, she has appeared in Tony Award-winning productions including The Little Foxes, Doubt; (Broadway and Nationwide Tour) The Royal Family and the Drowned Crow. His many film and TV credits include the role of “Cece Colvin, The Matchmaker” in Grey’s Anatomy, as well as roles in Shameless, The Knick, Law & Order: SVU, House of Cards and this season’s first ABC of United We. Fall. A native of Washington, Clay is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where she also teaches, and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia (BFA in Theater Arts). She received her MFA in Performance from the University of Maryland. She has also taught drama and voice classes and crash courses at Georgetown University, Howard University, Bowie State, University of Maryland, and Duke University. Under the direction of Patricia McGregor, Clay received the 2020 NAACP Award for Best Actress in A Play for the role of “Faye” in the Geffen Playhouse production of Dominique Morrisseau’s Skeleton Crew. She is currently appearing in the world premiere of Charlayne Woodard’s In the Garden, a co-production between Baltimore Center Stage and La Jolla Playhouse, one of the country’s first regional theatrical co-productions approved by Actor’s Equity to return, implementing full Covid – the security protocols of the time.

Learn more about Caroline Stephanie Clay at www.claycreatives.org.