Just when I was ready to rename GLUT (Greater Lansing Ubiquitous Theatre) as DEARTH (Devastating End All Real-live Theatre Here) you have renewed my faith that we can STILL have “too much” and/or “overlapping” shows.
July 31, choose dance - or “revitalized classical theatre"!
(You can start with the Dance, and then after an hour, switch over or open up a new device to start Oedipus. Not sure how long either production is or if either show can be replayed after the fact somewhere.)
Jane
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Lansing Community College Performing Arts
DANCE Lansing
The annual DANCE Lansing concert continues virtually this summer. A Lansing favorite, this summer’s concert features works by thirteen choreographers from around the globe. Co-sponsored by Lansing Community College and Happendance, the concert will be hosted live by Happendance CEO, Missy Lilje.
When: Friday, July 31, 2020, 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89473705768
Meeting ID: 894 7370 5768
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Contact LCC Performing Arts Production Office, mailto:[email protected]
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The Curtainless Theatre attracts local and non-local talent for “Oedipus Rex”
Lansing community theatre group will tackle the first of Sophocles’ Theban Plays in real-time virtual performance
Following a successful live-streamed production of Aeschylus’ “Prometheus Bound” that drew a larger-than-normal audience, The Curtainless Theatre will be taking on another challenge: virtually performing Sophocles’ Theban Plays, more commonly known as The Oedipus Cycle. The first of this three-part series --“Oedipus Rex” — will be streamed live via the theatre’s Facebook page on Friday, July 31, at 8 p.m.
Director Dale Wayne Williams and Tech Director Cody Skalmowski are teaming up again only two months after they produced “Prometheus Bound” together.
“I’ve never worked with such an iconic story,” says Williams. “This play is a timeless classic dealing with honor, shame and, above all else, fate. I’m graced with a stellar cast from across the state, the support of a phenomenal tech director [Skalmowski] and a theatre company willing to explore new opportunities through an ever-changing theatre landscape.”
Skalmowski explains technical directing in a virtual environment is uniquely rewarding but not without challenges. He sits in on “Oedipus Rex” rehearsals to ensure continuity and a polished finished product when it comes time to air the show. Skalmowski also sat in on numerous “Prometheus Bound” rehearsals. The performance, which was recorded in real time on Zoom and simultaneously broadcast to Facebook Live in May, went off without a hitch and even featured sound effects and music to enhance the virtual experience.
In addition to reaching larger audiences and boasting new technical skills for actors and crew, The Curtainless Theatre has found some other benefits to performing virtually. One such benefit is that actors who normally would not be able to commute to Lansing multiple times weekly for rehearsals and shows — such as Detroit resident Jordan Climie — are now able to take part in the theatre’s productions.
Climie plays the pivotal character Teiresias, a seer who reveals to Oedipus the prophesy that he is doomed to kill his father and marry his mother. Climie states, “It’s great to be able to do theatre when so many daily activities have become difficult or impossible. Not having distance stop me from performing in a production I’m excited about is even better, and I’m happy to be sharing a virtual stage with great actors and friends that I can’t normally act alongside.”
The play will also feature local actors, some of whom audiences may recognize from “Prometheus Bound.” Leading the cast in the title role is Tim Edinger of Holt. Lansing resident Joe Clark, who played the titan Oceanus in “Prometheus Bound,” joins the cast as Creon, a character who clashes with Oedipus.
Although not featured in “Oedipus Rex,” Ellie Wiese of Haslett — a regular presence onstage at The Curtainless Theatre — will play Oedipus’ daughter Antigone in parts two and three of the Oedipus Cycle, “Oedipus at Colonus” and “Antigone.” These two plays are slated to air in August and September, respectively. More details will be announced at a later date, and the theatre will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and guidelines to determine whether these performances can be recorded with actors onstage together. Regardless, the performances will not be open to patrons until it is safe to do so.
Amid COVID-19, The Curtainless Theatre was one of the first Lansing theatres to take advantage of this new virtual format due to the quick thinking of Co-Artistic Director Kameron Going. Unlike other area theatres, The Curtainless Theatre is able to perform their plays online because classical material often does not have copyright limitations.
“We’re excited to continue to explore the virtual performance space,” said Going. “We’re all missing the connection and creative outlet of theatre, and hopefully this can somewhat fill that gap.”
“Oedipus Rex” will stream for free, but The Curtainless Theatre accepts and appreciates donations, especially during these unprecedented times when so many businesses and organizations are facing financial hardship. Viewers may donate to the theatre at http://paypal.me/curtainlesstheatre.
About The Curtainless Theatre
The Curtainless Theatre is a community-centered performing arts organization focused on delivering revitalized classical theatre to the Greater Lansing Area. Our mission is to create accessible and inclusive performances that inspire reflection and community dialogue, with a special focus on civic engagement and educational outreach. For more information, visit http://www.thecurtainlesstheatre.blogspot.com.