Flashback Theater Co’s Let’s Play! series makes a splash this summer with Second Saturday workshops, storytelling for kids at the library, and a new play development workshop. Find our entire summer 2016 schedule of Let’s Play! events detailed below.

Second Saturdays

Second Saturday workshops are led by the Let’s Play! company. This summer, you will have the opportunity to work with props in June and hear the first read of a brand new play in July.

Work with Props in June

Actors are invited to spend an evening developing prop handling skills with our company of actors this Saturday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. Led by Amber Frangos, the evening will consist of playing improv games that use props to build characters and develop stories. Actors are encouraged to bring their own props to work with or play with those provided.

Amber Frangos remembers working with a fan in The Importance of Being Earnest last February, “I have to become familiar with the prop so that I don’t overuse it. It has to look natural, and that takes time.” Frangos spent time outside of rehearsal researching how ladies used fans so that she could incorporate the fan in a way that would work for her character, Lady Bracknell.

“Now for Granny, that was easy. She had all these items that felt comfortable to me, and those are what grounded Granny. The props made me feel at home on the stage in her character,” Frangos adds about her role in And the Tide Shall Cover the Earth last fall.

Working with props is an underrated skill for many actors, says Producing Artistic Director, Sommer Schoch. “We take for granted how easily we incorporate objects into our everyday lives without thinking. When actors try to emulate that onstage, they suddenly forget how to use a coffee pot because they are trying to focus on remembering a line…or vice versa. It takes a lot of work to convincingly live onstage as a character comfortable in their surroundings.”

New Play Reading in July

Second Saturday workshops will continue July 9th at 7 p.m. with the first reading of a new play titled Dancing in the Dark, written by Russell Springs playwright, Stephanie Porter. It will be the first time Porter hears the script read aloud, and is an essential part of the development process of the new play. This workshop is the starting point for a more fully realized development process that will be held later in the month.

Those interested in the new play development process will be able to listen in on the first reading, and will be invited to participate in a conversation afterwards to give initial feedback about elements of the plot and characters. The discussion will be led by director Sommer Schoch.

“Hearing a play read aloud for the first time brings the characters and the story to life,” says Schoch. “Not only that, but the initial experience of reading it can never be repeated. As a director, I have to hang on to that feeling and make sure it comes across in every performance, so it is something I take special note of.”

New Play Workshop

Later in July, the Let’s Play! company will be more fully realizing Dancing in the Dark through a week long workshop. Taking place daily July 18 – 22, this workshop will give playwright Stephanie Porter a chance to finesse the script into a more finalized version based on how the first read and daily work goes. Interested community members are invited to a semi-staged reading on July 22 at 7 p.m. to see the changes that result from the workshop.

In Dancing in the Dark, a Sunday school teacher/day trader, a natural psychologist, an automotive engineer, and an engaged single mother seek shelter from a tornado in the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The storm sparks debate about their differing beliefs.

Storytelling for Kids at the library

Rounding out the Let’s Play! series this summer are two days in June for children to have hands on experience with acting and storytelling. Hosted by the Pulaski County Children’s Library, each day will be an hour long session where the company will help kids act out their favorite stories. Friday, June 10 at 1:00 p.m. will be for kids ages 7-12 and Tuesday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m. is for kids ages 7 and under.

A special thank you to Girl Scout troop #1776, led by Chrystal Wilson, for volunteering their time with each of our Let’s Play! events this summer. Their troop is committed to serving the community through various volunteer projects throughout the year.

Dates and Times

Let’s Play! Storytelling for Kids 7-12
Friday, June 10 at 1:00 p.m.
Free | Pulaski County Library

Let’s Play! Working with Props
Saturday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m.
$5 Suggested Donation | Carnegie Community Arts Center

Let’s Play! Storytelling for Kids 7 and under
Tuesday, June 21 at 11:00 a.m.
Free | Pulaski County Library

Let’s Play! First Read of Dancing in the Dark
Saturday, July 9 at 7:00 p.m.
$5 Suggested Donation | Carnegie Community Arts Center

Let’s Play! Semi-staged Reading of Dancing in the Dark
Friday, July 22 at 7:00 p.m.
$5 Suggested Donation | Carnegie Community Arts Center

Contact

Sommer Schoch, Producing Artistic Director
[email protected] | (859) 322-2739