The Grand Marais Playhouse is busy moving out of the ACA lobby and back into its office space after the new carpet installation has been completed. The school district rescinded its letter and lease negotiations are continuing. The Playhouse is grateful for the many supporters who voiced their concerns and are hopeful that the forthcoming talks will maintain the uniquely collaborative relationship that greatly benefits our youth and the entire community.
The Playhouse is pleased to announce upcoming plans for educational programming and a fall production!
The Playhouse will hold two summer camps in August: August 3-7 from 1-4 p.m., Elementary students in grades 3-5 will produce “The Sneetches” by Dr. Suess. The company will create characters, costumes, props, and scenery for a virtual performance. August 10 -14 from 1-4 p.m., students in grades 6-8 will write and produce their own play collaboratively and perform virtually.
The cost of each camp is $100 and scholarships are available. Please register at: grandmaraisplayhouse.com.
Youth practicing A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the June Playhouse summer camp. From left to right: Mary June Warton, Payton Quaife, Aubrey Williams, Juniper Cefalu, Bryn Fitzgerald-Wells, Addie Roberts and Jack Fitzgerald- Wells. Photo courtesy of Sue Hennessy
In September, the Playhouse will begin an after-school theater program for elementary and middle school students. Each group will meet two days a week to focus on different areas of theater: one day on performance skills and one day on theater technology. The cost will be $90 for each area and students may sign up for one or both areas. Space will be limited. Registration will begin in August on the Playhouse website. This pilot program will run September through December. This activity is supported through a grant from the Cook County Community Fund.
The Playhouse also received a grant from Arrowhead Electric Operation Round-up to support the Playhouse’s development of in-school residencies. This coming school year, the Playhouse will provide theater learning in each of the elementary schools in Cook County. We will use theater techniques to create strong ensembles, build empathy through role-playing in the middle school and teach physics through theatrical lighting and sound with the high school. The Playhouse will be collaborating on the Sawtooth Elementary School’s “Passport Program” by developing class skits with each grade for end-of-year production.
On the theater’s production side, the Playhouse will be presenting “The Remarkable Susan” by Tim Kelly. The one-act play occurs in a courtroom where Susan B. Anthony is on trial for the crime of casting a ballot. In the 100th anniversary year of the Women’s right to vote, this play will resonate with everyone and hopefully encourage everyone in our community to participate in the national election. A right that has been hard fought for!
Auditions will be in September with live stream performances on October 26 and 27. More information will be on the Playhouse website. You can sign up for newsletters to stay up-to-date on all Playhouse activities.
Grand Marais Playhouse Artistic Director Sue Hennessy provides this behind-the-scenes look at Grand Marais Playhouse activities.
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