Tempo

As virtual reality becomes an important part of pandemic precautions, it should come as no surprise that Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet with faithful believers everywhere through the magic of Zoom. In southeast Michigan, Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company has a special spot in its heart for characters with a dramatic flair and a love of costumes, so their hosting virtual visits with Santa is a nature fit as the holidays approach. OBTC’s Zoom with Santa will feature one-on-one meetings with the kindly gent, beginning the day … [Read more...] about Santa will visit virtually with a little stage magic from OBTC

  Group will not renew its performance space lease As the pandemic continues to challenge the performing arts community, the Ringwald Theatre creative team has announced it will not be renewing the lease at its performance space, 22742 Woodward, in Ferndale, at the end of November. However, it will offer a project, which was filmed in its current space, prior to the team packing up, for online viewing: a full-length parody, “Have Yourself a MISERY Little Christmas,” which will stream during December. The Ringwald, which … [Read more...] about Ringwald to present online parody ‘Have Yourself a MISERY Little Christmas’

  While the course of the pandemic defies prediction, local theaters are adjusting offerings to provide more options to audiences, including virtual theater and hybrid combinations, adaptable to changing conditions. PLAYERS GUILD OF DEARBORN TO HOLD AUDITIONS FOR DURANG ONE ACTS The Players Guild of Dearborn will conduct online auditions, by appointment, and for members only, on Nov. 16 for an evening of Christopher Durang one act plays. Additional auditions will be held Nov. 17 if needed. To renew or become a member, … [Read more...] about PGD holds auditions for Durang One Acts; Open Book adds another virtual theater offering

  Audiences will have a second chance to enjoy the Players Guild of Dearborn’s 2019 production of the musical “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” beginning Nov. 13, when it will begin to live-stream through Showtix4u.com. The Tony Award-winning musical, which was performed live at PGD Nov. 8 through Dec. 1, 2019, follows Monty Navarro, eighth in line to an earldom, who decides to improve his odds of succession by hastening the demise of his predecessors. Along the way, he attempts to juggle two women – his mistress and … [Read more...] about PGD to livestream its 2019 production of ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’

  While its theaters may be dark, Wayne State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance has reinvented its offerings to reach its audiences digitally, despite the pandemic precautions which keep live performance venues silent. Thomas Karr, director of Marketing and Audience Engagement for the Magee Allesee Department of Theatre and Dance, said the 2020-21 season is threefold, offering digital content to audiences worldwide, and includes a Productions Series, a Dialogue Series and Studio Hours. The Productions Series … [Read more...] about WSU Theater and Dance offers digital portal to creative performance and learning

  Combine window theater with an outdoor audience and a scary theme that isn’t pandemic-related, and you have “Haunted,” a spooky themed classic in keeping with Halloween, which continues its run through Oct. 31 at the Open Book Theatre Company. The actors perform behind the theater’s lobby window, while the audience watches from chairs in the parking lot or from their cars, with speakers amplifying the actors’ lines. “We love Halloween, and wanted to create a fun and safe way for everyone to enjoy the spooky season,” … [Read more...] about ‘Haunted’ sets the stage for Halloween frights with OBTC’s window theater

  As Internet celebrities – the social influencers of the 21st century – attract followers and reap the rewards, what personal price do they pay to maintain their constant online presence and power? “The Influence of iPoppy,” the second live, virtual offering of Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company, takes a look at how being an internet celebrity affects the online self-made stars, as they seek to impress their followers and extend their reach, sometimes paying a personal price to do so. Each one-on-one performance is 10 … [Read more...] about OBTC focuses spotlight on social media trendsetters in ‘The Influence of iPoppy’

  With the pandemic and politics producing everyday frights, the scariness of Halloween might seem redundant, if not for the gusto with which many people approach the haunted holiday. Actors, by their very nature, relish the costumes, makeup, and challenge of creating spooky scenes. Amid pandemic precautions, new ways to present scary shows are being invented and launched, including Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company production of “Haunted,” an imaginative introduction to Window Theater. OBTC Artistic Director Krista … [Read more...] about OBTC presents Halloween-themed window theater ‘Haunted’

  Shakespeare in Detroit, which supports the arts as a key component of the curriculum in its partner schools, donated 75 STEAM packets Sept. 16 to The James and Grace Lee Boggs School in Detroit. STEAM refers to science, technology, engineering, art and math activities, which support and enhance student learning in all areas of the curriculum. SID emphasizes that there is more to theatrical arts than the actors on stage, as it trains a new generation of lighting designers, sound engineers, set builders and stage carpenters, … [Read more...] about Shakespeare in Detroit emphasizes the importance of art in education

After offering social-distanced outdoor theater during the summer months, Trenton’s Open Book Theatre Company is launching a series of one-on-one online theatrical performances to audiences as the weather turns cooler. Artistic Director Krista Schafer Ewbank said its virtual offering will maintain the key component which delineates theater from film and television: Live performance which builds a relationship with the audience. “Live performance is the key ingredient that is missing from so many of the virtual theater offerings … [Read more...] about OBTC launches online one-on-one performances with ‘What Matters’