Storytelling is the theme of this month’s Let’s Play! event, to be held Saturday, February 13 at 7:00 p.m. This event is part of Flashback Theater’s Let’s Play! series, a monthly event open to performing artists and theater lovers. Each month features a different theater workshop theme for local theater talent to participate in at no cost. Past events have featured Reader’s Theater, Improv Games, and 10-minute Plays. Flashback Theater Co. is a resident company at the Carnegie Community Arts Center, where the event will be held.
New this month is Flashback Theater’s company of actors, who will help lead and develop Let’s Play! events as well as future projects. “Let’s Play! is about giving area actors the opportunity to stretch their performing muscles,” says Sommer Schoch, Producing Artistic Director of Flashback. “Improvisation builds an actor’s confidence in their storytelling abilities and can be done on the spot, anywhere.”
“In my time as a performer, I’ve met a lot of people who are very interested in what I do. Let’s Play! is a wonderful way to experience theater as actors do, a hands-on process,” says Alexandra George, Let’s Play! company manager. “I love seeing people of all experience levels and ages coming together to create.”
Alexandra George is a high school freshman and will act as the company manager as part of an internship with Flashback Theater. She appeared onstage in Flashback Theater’s And the Tide Shall Cover the Earth as Geneva and will next appear in the Star Theater’s production of Beauty & the Beast this month.
The company members are: Amanda Balltrip, who is the Director of Vocal Education at McNeil Voice Studio. She played Mattie in Flashback’s And the Tide Shall Cover the Earth and holds her Master’s of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Kentucky. Maxine Baughman teaches dance at Missy’s and is a newcomer to Flashback Theater. She is also acting as stage manager for the upcoming production of The Importance of Being Earnest. Amber Frangos is a retired teacher and regular acting presence in Flashback productions. Her Flashback roles include: Granny in And the Tide Shall Cover the Earth and upcoming role: Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest. Chris Harris, a local playwright and the Entertainment Editor of the Commonwealth Journal has been a regular at Let’s Play! events over the past year. Will Muse, a student at Meece Middle School who appeared in Flashback’s And the Tide Shall Cover the Earth. Bailey Patterson rounds out the first Let’s Play! company. She has been in productions with Lake Cumberland Children’s Theatre and is new to Flashback Theater Co.
George adds, “Our job as actors in this company is to help our community members experience the pursuit of theatre. Flashback is giving everybody opportunities to be on both sides of the curtain. I’m excited to help people learn and grow with my community throughout this year.”
Let’s Play! Storytelling is appropriate for people of all ages. Bring your favorite short stories and join the company in acting out the stories as they are read aloud. The first hour will be dedicated to children’s stories. Families are also encouraged to bring grandparents who enjoy storytelling to share community memories.
Event Details:
Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
107 N. Main St. Somerset, Kentucky
Admission is free, suggested donation of $5 to support future Let’s Play! events.
For more information about Flashback Theater Co. or Let’s Play! contact Sommer Schoch at [email protected] or visit www.flashbacktheater.co.