Village Theatre plans welcome picnic, recruitment show
Glen Ellyn's Village Theatre Guild is inviting alums and prospective members to a free picnic and recruitment show.
No reservations are needed for the event at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the theater, 2S720 Park Blvd. Participants will learn about what it takes to bring stories to life on stage.
"Many don't realize that for a typical show, there are four or five times as many people working behind the scenes as are in the cast," says VTG President Dave Dolnics.
"Besides actors, we need costumers and set painters, lighting operators and publicity people. Our purpose is to have fun putting on good shows, and no theater experience is needed to take part."
Attendees at the Member Welcome Picnic will be treated to a presentation called "Magic to Do," which will dramatize the many facets of belonging to a community theater. Conceptualized by musical innovator Doug Orlyk and VTG founder and director Sue Keenan, the presentation will showcase many of the ways members come together in an artistic team effort.
The Village Theatre Guild stages four major productions a year and auditions are open to anyone. Regular meetings are at 7:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month and usually feature short scenes or performances by members.
VTG also hosts acting, directing and technical workshops throughout the year, which are taught by visiting artists from Chicago's professional theater scene. This learning program is unique among community theaters and is free to members.
Opening the 2015-2016 season, the long-running off-Broadway musical "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" by Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts will run from Oct. 16 to Nov. 8. Director Judy DiVita promises it will confront everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit.
The winter production, from Jan. 15 to Feb. 6 will be "Doubt, A Parable" by John Patrick Shanley. According to director Lisa Dolnics, "In this brilliant and powerful drama, Sister Aloysius takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the young Father Flynn of improper relations with one of the male students at her Bronx school."
The spring production, from March 18 to April 9, will be "The Last Romance" by Joe DiPietro. Director Cynthia Katz asks the question, "Is a last romance in the cards for a charming 80-year-old widower and an attractive but uptight 79-year-old woman? Or is life like opera, where all the lovers want is to be in love, but life is never that simple?"
The summer production, from May 20 to June 11, will be "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" by Christopher Durang. Director Kevin Taylor says, "When an aging Hollywood actress arrives unannounced with her hunky new boy toy, long-repressed rivalries explode in a weekend full of costume parties, voodoo dolls and an unforeseen romance."
For tickets or information about The Village Theatre Guild, call (630) 469-8230 or visit www.villagetheatreguild.org. Season tickets will be available at the Member Welcome Picnic.