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Talent search begins

The Midway and Beyond Little Theatre Group is gearing up for their first production.

After seven months of grant writing, seeking donations, ordering and setting up basic (but essential) theatrical equipment, the Midway and Beyond Little Theatre Group is planning an inaugural community meeting on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Midway Community Hall.

Theatre project coordinator John Hibberson hopes to discover all those people, both young and old, in the Kettle Valley area who are interested in being part of this new and exciting theatrical adventure.

“We need not only actors and actresses but all the many crew people who work behind the scenes to make wonderful productions happen,” Hibberson said in a newsletter he sent out last week.

Set and props, costumes and makeup all have tasks waiting to be assigned. Perhaps you are a lighting or sound techie? Possibly you wish to be a stagehand or learn how to be a stage manager? There are people working on promotion, selling tickets or writing programs. “Theatre is definitely like an iceberg,” Hibberson said. “What you see on stage is only its tip. Behind the curtain is as important as what’s out in front of it. Theatre is teamwork!”

A major topic of discussion at the Oct. 9 meeting will be the opening production by the company. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22 the curtain will go up on All That Glisters, a radio play based on the famous Camp McKinney gold bar robbery of 1896. It tells the tale of the robbery and its aftermath, the murder of Matthew Roderick, the robber, by mine superintendent Joe Keane. The cast consists of 10 men and one woman.

In late March or April 2015 Midway and Beyond will present their first major show. The play, Wild Oats, is a spoof of the Old West. This show will run from Thursday to Saturday each week for two weeks and has a big cast with both large and small roles available. “If you’ve never acted before but want to dip your toe into theatre this is a good chance for you,” Hibberson said.

The name of the new theatre group is Midway and Beyond Little Theatre, he noted. “The idea is to convince people from BEYOND the borders of our nice little town to join in,” he said. “I know there are people in Sidley, Bridesville, Rock Creek, Westbridge, Greenwood and maybe even from distant Beaverdell, who may want to join up with our cause. Please do! At least come to our first meeting and have a listen.

“I taught theatre in our local high school for a long time and have worked with a lot of amazing young people, I know that a few of you are still out there living nearby. Not so young anymore, sure, but maybe it’s time for you to have another kick at the can. We don’t want to make this a group for a whole bunch of old people like me. No sirree! We need your talents, your vitality, and your sense of fun. Think about it.”