In 2021, Grand Marais Playhouse will be celebrating its 50th season. In preparation for this milestone, the Playhouse is two years into a four-year strategic plan focused on creating a sustainable leadership and programmatic model. As part of the sustainable leadership goal, Grand Marais Playhouse is happy to welcome Carrie Nath as co-director. Along with Sue Hennessy, this dynamic duo is set to take the incredible GMP program, built through Sue Hennessy’s tremendous leadership, to the next level.
“Sue and I have known each other for 32 years and started our theater careers together at Concordia College in Morehead. I am in awe of the work she has done in Grand Marais and am so excited to work with her and this awesome community, celebrating the deep well of talent in Grand Marais and creating more and more opportunities for the next generation of artists to thrive.”
Nath has worked as an artist, administrator and arts educator for over 30 years. She is a firm believer in the collaborative approach to creating, whether in the board room, the classroom or on the stage.
Carrie Nath (left) was recently hired to be a co-director with longtime director Sue Hennessy at the Grand Marais Playhouse. Photo courtesy of Sue Hennessy
Nath has served as the executive director of The Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts; director of education at The Kentucky Arts Council; the associate director of education for the Seattle Opera; and education consultant for the Ford’s Theater in D.C. A choreographer and director as well, her credits include Manhattan School of Music; Cornish College of the Arts; and in education departments at Actor’s Theater of Louisville; the Washington National Opera; the Shakespeare Theater in D.C.; and Seattle Repertory Theatre.
Nath was in residence at the Grand Marais Playhouse two years ago where she directed The Games Afoot and choreographed Pajama Game in the summer rep and directed Twelfth Night with the high school students. Shakespeare residencies with 3 – 9 grade culminated in a pre-show opener for the main production.
Though Carrie and Sue will be sharing in the overall leadership of the theater, expanding education programming will be a main focus of her work. “I know firsthand the excellent teachers and students in this area and cannot wait to see what we can create.” The Playhouse will also be offering evening classes for adults and intensives for local and national artists.
“Come up the hill, say hi, and see what we are all about. These are exciting times at the Playhouse and you don’t want to miss any of the fun!” In other news
. The Grand Marais Playhouse is pleased to announce the fall high school/community youth play will be Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
Aurora Schelmeske will play the role of Ariel and Robin Henrikson will play the role of Sabastian. All other roles will be determined by audition. Young performers will mainly be in the chorus with rehearsals after school Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturday, Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. Ensemble roles will rehearse Sunday- Thursday evenings 6:30- 8:30 p.m. and the above Saturdays as well.
Casting will focus on high schoolage performers but with younger and adult roles possible. Attendance at scheduled rehearsals will be mandatory for all lead roles.
Auditions are Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 3:30 p.m. for grades 3-8 and at 6:30 p.m. for grade 9 to adult. More information can be found at our website.
The production will run Thursdays – Sundays, Nov. 7-17, 2019.
Sue Hennessy will be at the Playhouse table at the Cook County Schools open house Aug. 28 to answer your questions. Stop by for an ocean themed pencil or bookmark! . The Playhouse is seeking a bookkeeper. See the newspaper help wanted section for more info. . Volunteers are needed for some data entry at the office. We collected surveys throughout the summer rep and we need them entered into a database so our consultant can run the analysis and help our strategic planning process. If you have some time to come and help please contact Sue at sue@grandmaraisplayhouse.com or Carrie at carrie@grandmaraisplayhouse.com or call us at (218) 387-1284 x 2. . For more information on classes, auditions, and production information and the bookkeeper job description, go to www.grandmaraisplayhouse.com
Grand Marais Playhouse Artistic Director Sue Hennessy provides this behind-the-scenes look at Grand Marais Playhouse activities.
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