Cutting-edge theater comes to Cary
Six plays in one hour?
A local theater group is making it happen Saturday, when it uses a Cary warehouse to stage multiple short productions. “Doing pop-up theater in unique spaces is a hot concept,” said director Kellee Stall of Huntley.
Pop-up theater is the staging of shows in random or unexpected spaces, she said.
“Inhabit, Scenes in a Warehouse,” will feature performances at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Christian Youth Theater warehouse, 755 Industrial Drive, Cary. Advance reservations are required by calling (847) 447-6696 or emailing inhabit2011@gmail.com. Tickets are $5 to be paid at the door.
Each performance features six, 10-minute plays, during which the audience moves from one area to another. After the final scene, there will be live music by local performers, light refreshments and a chance to view and purchase the work of local artists.
Stall is quick to point out Inhabit is not affiliated with the youth theater.
“They were kind enough to donate their space,” Stall said. “Doing theater in unique spaces is my concept, it's my dream. Last year we did this in a home for sale in Lake Barrington.”
Stall is a veteran of local theater, having directed for Greenroom Theater and for Judson University. She holds a bachelor of fine arts from Northern Illinois University.
This year's talent includes Miriam Masey and Chris Warren of McHenry; Jenny Olson of Elgin; Ben Piershale of Algonquin; Sheri Storer of Dundee, Amanda Spenner of Palatine, Rachel and Tim Rack of Schaumburg; Aaron Groesser of Richmond; and Zachary Draper of Huntley. Sylvia Thoma of Hebron is a producer.
Locating sponsors and raising funds to pay the actors was one of Stall's priorities with this project.
“A lot of our talent pool takes off and goes to Chicago due to the lack of compensation (in suburban theater productions),” Stall said. Stall wants to keep talent working locally.
One of the highlights of the production, according to Stall, will be a scene from Neil Simon's “The Odd Couple” featuring Cary comedians Marty McGinley and Matt Sommerfield.
“It's the spaghetti-throwing scene,” Stall said.
Another promising scene takes place in a coffee shop.
“(It features) a folk singer who gets interrupted by a stalker,” Stall said.
Although “Inhabit, Scenes in a Warehouse” comprises an eclectic mix of scenes, Stall says the show is suitable for ages 10 and older.
Stall is hoping to take her idea of pop-up theater — which she says is hot in New York — to the next level after this production is over.
“Next year, I could see this happening in a diner or grocery store,” Stall said.
One imagines that might make it easier for any future food-flinging scenes.
If you go
<b>What:</b> “Inhabit, Scenes in a Warehouse,” a series of six 10-minute plays
<b>When:</b> 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27
<b>Where:</b> CYT warehouse, 755 Industrial Drive, Cary
<b>Tickets:</b> $5; pay at the door, but must be reserved in advance
<b>Call:</b> (847) 447-6696