It’s awfully hard to perform live theater without a live audience, but the days of shuttered playhouse doors seems to be drawing to a close. Some area theaters have live performances scheduled for this summer or fall.
7th Street Kids
The 7th Street Kids program will present two different plays this summer by separate groups of kids. The three-week workshop will present “Winnie-the Pooh KIDS,” directed by Karin Noble. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 16, and 2 p.m. Saturday, July 17, at the 7th St. Theatre in Hoquiam. Admission is $10 per person, $5 for those 12 years and younger.
The six-week workshop will present “Frozen Jr.,” directed by Kendall Cavin. Performances are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday, July 29-31, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1. Admission is $5 for those 12 years and younger, $10 for students and seniors, and $15 for adults.
For more information, visit their website at 7thstreetkids.org.
Driftwood Players
The Driftwood Players wasn’t able to perform its last five shows in a typical way. However, three of them were available to patrons via the internet.
“Performing theater without the audience reaction is really different for the actors,” said Terry Rogers, Driftwood president. “The audiences participate whether they realize it or not by their reactions. Not getting the laughs and the responses is hard, but so far the actors have just done a wonderful job,” she said.
Driftwood is optimistic about having a live audience in September for “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” The play by Simon Stephens is based on a bestselling novel by Mark Haddon. It was originally scheduled for the spring of 2020.
“How it will look just depends on what the governor says and what is going on with Covid-19 and how many people will be allowed to have in the theater itself,” Rogers said.
Bishop Center for Performing Arts
As for the Grays Harbor College Bishop Center, administrator Arlene Torgerson said nothing has been programmed for the summer, adding that the college will continue its virtual entertainment in the fall and hopes to offer live performances in 2022.
“Decisions need to be made months in advance for scheduling and booking artists or activities,” Torgerson explained. “We can only make decisions based on current guidelines which limit the amount of patrons we can have at a performance. This limits the amount of ticket sales we have to help cover the cost of performances,” she said, adding that sponsors and donors have made it possible to offer virtual programming during the pandemic at no cost.
Stage West Community Theatre
Stage West Community Theatre of Ocean Shores has discovered a new way to perform before live audience. It is presenting a variety of radio theater shows at 7 p.m. each Sunday on KOSW, 91.3 FM, out of Ocean Shores. The shows include suspense, drama, comedy and mystery presentations. For more information about these plays from the golden age of radio, go to Stagewestcommunitytheatre.org.
Plank Island Theatre
At the new Plank Island Theatre group, co-founder Julayne Fleury said “Writing Wrongs,” a series of original monologues, will be performed virtually in June.
To learn more, visit plankislandtheatre.com.
Aberdeen Shakespearean Theatre
According to the Aberdeen Shakespearean Theatre’s Facebook page, “there will definitely be a Shakespeare show this summer.” Check the group’s Facebook page for up-to-date scheduling information.