BACKSTAGE by Steven Lloyd

Last year I took Lloyd Kay’s acting class, which is a scene study class that gives many of the theatre’s actors a chance to stretch their wings.  One Saturday morning we were all treated to a scene performed without any rehearsal by Reta Scribner and Adam Kampouris from a short play called “For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls,” by Christopher Durang. This parody of Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie,” left all of us weeping, with laughter.  It was so funny that I made the decision then to assemble a show featuring some of Durang’s best short comedies. We used much of the remaining weeks of the class to try out several. The result is “Outrageous Acts,” by Christopher Durang, an evening of non-stop laughs.  The show is family friendly, and you don’t have to be familiar with the real plays he is poking fun at, but if you are, it will add another level to the experience. Adding to the uniqueness of the show, we have five different directors overseeing the separate casts.
 
Suzanne Tinsley directs Barbara Bates Smith in the show’s opener, “Mrs. Sorkin,” inspired by Durang’s dotty great aunt. Then I direct the piece that inspired it all: “For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls” with Reta Scribner as the frustrated mother, Amanda, overseeing a twisted family that includes Adam Kampouris, Patrick Rogers and Adrienne Mollette.

Harold Pinter’s “Old Times” which was performed last year in our Studio Season is the next to fall victim to Durang’s wit. “Wanda’s Visit” is the story of a couple who suddenly have to play host to an ex-girlfriend on the run from the mob. Allison Stinson makes life a nightmare for Beth Galloway, Roger Magendie and Tabatha Judy.

“Funeral Parlor” directed by Tom Dewees with Sandy Soto and Patrick Rogers, was written for Carol Burnett and Robin Williams and was originally seen on “The Carol Burnett Show.”

“The Hardy Boys or the Mystery of Where Babies Come From” is being directed by Adam Kampouris and the title pretty much says it all. Featuring Joshua Merrell and Andrew Greene, as the clueless sleuths, with John Winfield as their frustrated dad and Judith Gibson as their ever- helpful school nurse, it is sure to tickle the funny bone of anyone familiar with the sweater clad teen heroes.

Finally the entire cast comes together to play the chorus in “Medea” with Frances Davis as the actress who will play the great tragic figure, Strother Stingley as Jason, her unfaithful husband, and Roger Magendie as an unlikely angel.
This is a show of broad satire, all in good fun and is just the beginning. Last season was our most successful, but there was little to laugh at. This year we make it up to you.

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THE HART YOUTH DRAMA CAMP
June 16 - 27, 2008
Monday - Friday from 9 am until 3:45 pm
$300 per student

This summer HART will offer an excting opportunity for young people in this area interested in the theatre. The HART Drama Camp is a two week experience for youths age 7 - 15 which will include classes in musical theatre, movement, acting and technical theatre taught by professionals in each field. All classes will be held at the Performing Arts Center at the Shelton House. Students will explore writing scenes and monologues that link songs learned in musical theatre, explore movement and dance, stage combat, improvisation, and learn the in’s and out’s of design and the operation of technical equipment as things gear up on the HART stage for a major production. The experience will conclude with performances on the final day. Only 45 students will be admitted to the program with all session sizes limited to 12 students. To register, e-mail us at hartthea@bellsouth.net and we will send you a complete registration form.

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PAC SOUND SYSTEM ISSUES

Our sound system is aging, with some parts beginning to fail. New products on the market, including special body microphones, and improved speaker placement give us the chance to finally significantly improve the sound quality for HART productions. This comes at a cost, however, of approximately $25,000. If sound has been an issue for you, a dedicated contribution to the HART Sound Improvement Fund will help us make these improvements and enrich the experience for everyone. If you would like to help, send your tax deductible donation to HART, P.O. Box 1024, Waynesville, NC 28786 and indicate – Sound Fund.

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SO YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER?

Working Backstage: The key to getting involved backstage is to come to the auditions for the shows you want to work on. Introduce yourself to the stage manager, who will probably introduce you to the director. Ask about the schedule, and let them know your availability, interests, and skills if any. Offer to help in what ever way you can. You will be put to work.

Concessions: We need two people for every performance we do to work behind the concession stand. These people get to see the performance for free, but need to be flexible and quick – all of the business takes place in about 10 minutes, during intermissions. For more information about this or to sign up, contact Tom and Joanne Gregory at ncgregorys@hotmail.com or go online to our web site, and sign up for our e-mail list.

Ushers: We usually have up to 4 ushers at each performance and they also get to see the show for free. They also are responsible for making sure everyone is seated properly, and must be able to help wheelchair patrons and others with special needs. For more information about this or to sign up, contact Don and Betty Perry at 452-7122 or go to our web site and sign up.

Box Office: If you are good with people, like to solve problems, and enjoy responsibility, this is the job for you. We have a wonderful box office staff, but we always need new faces. For more information about this area of volunteering, contact Libba Feichter at 456-6918.

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BE A PART OF THE PERFORMING HART'S
Have you always wanted to be on stage, but are afraid of learning lines, or just don't have time for a lot of rehearsals? The Performing HART's is your chance. Part reader's theatre, part musical comedy, HART's community outreach performance group is looking for anyone interested in getting into the act. There are no lines to learn, rehearsals are minimal and age is no factor. The group presents free performances around the area and is headed by Dot Burford and directed by San Greenalch. Contact Dot Burford at 421-3544 for more information about joining the group or to schedule a performance.