Island Theatre Workshop is celebrating Linda Berg’s achievements as director of the Children’s Theatre program for the past three years and as music director for the 13 preceding years. Festivities will take place at the Sailing Camp on Barnes Road on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Island Theatre Workshop, Inc. is searching for new stage directors join the company for its third annual Short Play Festival to be performed in March, 2009. Anyone who has a short play, either classic or contemporary, that she or he would like to direct should contact artistic director Lee Fierro to discuss possibilities. Please call 508-693-5290 by Jan. 6.
First-time directors will be considered. Material can be between 5 and 30 minutes in length. Both dramatic and musical submissions are welcomed.
A dragon created by art and technology teacher Paul Brisette and his art students at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School will fly high and terrorize a young prince as the centerpiece of the Magic Flute scenes in the OperaFest 2008 performance, Saturday, July 26, at 8 p.m. at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs.
Tonight is the benefit opening of Island Theatre Workshop, Inc.’s latest production, Gian Carlo Menotti’s beloved family opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. The curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. in the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven.
More magic from the Oak Bluffs School drama department, which this weekend premieres the original one-act musical Waking Beauty, A Fairy’s Tale.
This play tells the true story of Sleeping Beauty and the fairy who was not invited to the princess’ christening. The fairy, named Mathilda (pronounced with the “h”), was not evil but more of a magical klutz who had a habit of giving bad gifts. Once the beauty is asleep, the rest of the fairies work to find the princess’ one true love to wake her and the rest of the kingdom.
Arts & Society presents the 30th annual Bloomsday celebration of music and drama based on the text of James Joyce, on June 16, at 8 p.m. at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, Spring street, Vineyard Haven. Tickets are $18 general, $15 senior and student, and may be purchased at the door or at the Bunch of Grapes. For information, call 508-696-0539.
The Yard is looking for a few energetic kids to share the stage with two all-star casts. Actors, dancers and singers in third through twelfth grade are invited.
The first event, Diversity in Dance ’08, will take place on Sunday, July 20, at the Performing Arts Center at 6:30 p.m., and will feature Taylor 2, Gus Solomons Jr and Carmen de Lavallade alongside a special dance performance by Island kids.
The good thing about January is that it isn’t December. December, of course, is when we spend too much money on presents, stress out that we’re compelled to send cards and letters, attend parties and fundraisers, and string up tired decorations. Or we’re feeling guilty that we’re not doing any of those things. But on occasions during each Christmas season, we’re bound to partake of an event that makes it all worth while. A performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors is one of those occasions.
Edgartown native Emily Hartford is nominated for a New York Innovative Theatre Award for outstanding ensemble for her work in The Night of Nosferatu, which was produced by Rabbit Hole Ensemble (online rabbitholeensemble.com).
The nominees were announced at a sold-out event on July 21 that was attended by over 500 artists and guests. The Awards will be presented on Sept. 22 at a ceremony held at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
