Schoolhouse Arts Center kicks off 30th season with hilarious farce

By Elizabeth Richards

Schoolhouse Arts Center opened the first show of its 30^th season last weekend with an uproarious rendition of “Noises Off!”, a farcical look at the world of theatre. I had the pleasure of attending the dress rehearsal, which unfolded far more smoothly than the dress rehearsal portrayed on stage.

If you’ve ever participated in a theater production, you’re sure to appreciate the familiar (but greatly

exaggerated) glitches that arise. And if you haven’t, your perception of live theater may be forever changed once you’ve seen this show.

The audience received a glimpse of how each character would evolve from the moment each made their initial appearance on stage. The talented cast built upon these initial impressions throughout the show, creating characters that worked in perfect sync with one another. Through facial expressions, body movements, and flawless timing of remarks and gestures, the distinct personality of each character emerged. By the end of the show I felt as though I knew each character personally and could anticipate what might come next, though there were plenty of twists throughout.

The first act details the final dress rehearsal of a touring show about to open. Although it soon becomes clear that things aren’t running quite the way they should, there’s a hopeful air that it will all come together in the end. But by the end of the act, with personal lives revealed bit by bit and a love triangle emerging, it’s clear that the run may not be so smooth after all.

The second act, set a month later, gives a backstage glimpse of how poorly things have gone. It was this act that highlighted just how talented this group of actors (the Schoolhouse cast, not the fictional cast) is. The pace is quick and frenzied, but the show moved smoothly along, with so many side stories overlapping all at once that it was difficult to keep track of all the action.  Everywhere I looked there was a hilarious moment unfolding; I hate to think of how many I missed.

In the third act, back on the set of the fictitious show two months later, it’s clear that the entire production has devolved into total chaos. And yet, the (fictional) cast embraces the idea that “the show must go on,” moving through every missed entrance, unexpected arrival, and set failure as though nothing unusual has happened at all.

The physical comedy alone makes this show worth seeing. Comedic timing was right on, and there was often no way to determine if what had just happened was part of the script, or an actual glitch in the rehearsal. Everything worked so well that it simply didn’t matter.

As impressive as the acting and flow of the show was, the set showcased the backstage talent at Schoolhouse Arts Center.  Two stories high, with detachable stairs and ladders, the entire thing had to rotate between each act. The show has two 15-minute intermissions to accommodate this rotation. I recommend staying in your seat for one of them, just to see the feat accomplished.  It’s a real life look behind the scenes that added another level of interest to the production.

“Noises Off!” is a production that shouldn’t be missed. In fact, with all the action happening simultaneously, you might want to see it more than once to catch anything you may miss. There are four shows remaining in the run, on Friday, April 12^th at 7 pm; Saturday April 13^th at 2 pm and 7 pm; and Sunday, April 14^th at 2 pm. The show is rated PG-13 for language and innuendo.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.schoolhousearts.org.

Black Box Teens brings focus to local teens

In a time when we hear more and more stories about kids in trouble, the Schoolhouse Arts Center is endeavoring to bring focus and direction to local teens through participation in community theater.  
 

The Schoolhouse Arts Center, a local community theater and educational organization, has occupied the old Standish high school building since 1989. Over 15 years ago, they converted a large second-floor room into a small theater space to supplement their main theater which seats almost 150. This small secondary theater was intended to accommodate smaller audiences for one act plays, stand-up comedy shows, and kid’s plays.  

A small stage was built then the walls and floor were painted black. It became known as the Black Box, referring to the type of venue it was expected to become. But the Black Box saw little use except as a rehearsal area when the main stage was in use.

But in 2015, a few of Schoolhouse’s teen-aged performers re-discovered the Black Box and decided that it would be a perfect forum for them to develop skills - not only in performing but organizing, directing and presenting their own shows. They revived a theater club for teens known as the Black Box Teens, originally formed by Francine Morin in 2013. They converted the old Art Room into a Green Room (dressing room) for future Black Box performances and painted folding chairs black to create a more professional look in the underutilized theater space.  

But, this was just the beginning. Their long-term plans for the Black Box included lighting and new risers. But those plans required additional funding.

In March 2016, the Black Box Teens organized and produced their first fundraiser which was a cabaret-style show called “Truly Talented Kids”. The show was a great success and generated more interest and support for the teen program. One by one, new teenagers heard about Black Box Teens and joined the group. They began recruiting the support of adults who were impressed by their enthusiasm for the project.  

In 2016 Board President, Cristina McBreairty took on leadership of the teen program as the group began to focus on their long-term goals. When a new lighting system was purchased for the main theater, the old lights were committed to the Black Box. The teens’ enthusiasm for their Black Box Theater became even stronger.  

Local director Jerry Walker was impressed with the enthusiasm and determination of the Black Box Teens and helped them design a new floor plan for the Black Box. In January 2017 the original small stage was dismantled, and lumber was re-used to construct risers. This would enable the theater to accommodate larger audiences. Eventually permanent theater seats, which the Schoolhouse has in storage, will replace the folding chairs. Throughout the project, the Black Box Teens pulled nails from old lumber, helped assemble the new risers and repainted everything black. The new layout provides more flexibility for the space and comfortably seats about 60 people.  

Many of the Black Box Teens have grown up in acting classes and shows at Schoolhouse Arts Center. In addition to their work on the Black Box Theater, many have taken on more challenging roles in recent main stage plays like “Brighton Beach Memoirs”, “Beauty & the Beast” and “Peter Pan”. As their confidence on the stage grew, it led to a desire to learn more about directing, costuming, props, lighting and other technical aspects of theater. 

When the Black Box Teens are not on the stage, they are often seen at the back of the main theater running the lighting and sound systems. They help paint signs, build sets, organize props and assist with costuming for the main stage shows.  

In 2018 the Black Box Teens spent January and February planning their third annual “Truly Talented Kids” show. They conducted auditions and selected which acts they felt were best for the show, as well as organized rehearsals where more experienced members helped new teens understand how to polish their performance skills. The Black Box Teens wrote scripts for their show narrators, Josh Macri and Reid Anderson. They choregraphed dances and organized props and costumes that would be needed for their various acts as well as painted signs for the show and even designed and printed programs.  

“Truly Talented Kids” will be performed on March 30 and 31 in the newly restored Black Box Theater. Board member Danny Gay recently installed theater lights in the Black Box. This will be the Black Box Teens’ first time that “Truly Talented Kids” will be performed with the new lighting system.

The Schoolhouse Arts Center takes great pride in the Black Box Teens.  But they admit that its success is mainly due to the energy and enthusiasm of the teens themselves.  “All that we did was provide them with a place where they can focus their energies and build their own dreams” says project sponsor Cristina McBreairty. “Then we just step back and watch the magic happen.”

In an age when we are bombarded with stories about teens in trouble, this is a refreshing success story of kids on a mission. The Black Box Teens are a beacon of hope for all of us to believe in.  Given the chance to excel and express themselves, our teenagers are capable of wonderful things. They will always be “Truly Talented Kids”. 

For more information about the Schoolhouse Arts Center or the Black Box Teens, please contact Cristina McBreairty or Black Box Teens’ teen advisor Ashley McBreairty at blackboxteens@gmail.com.

Truly Talented Kids 2017

Professional flying training company helps performers soar by Elizabeth Richards

Six young performers will take flight in the Schoolhouse Arts Center’s upcoming production of “Peter Pan.” This special effect is just one element of magic the show promises to bring to the community.

Ashley McBreairty of Gorham (Wendy), Reese Madarasz of Brunswick (John) and Ella Tedeschi (Michael) of York thrill to the sensation of flying during training by flight experts Flying by Foy

Learning to fly is no easy task, and several members of the cast and crew spent three recent evenings being trained by the top in the business. Schoolhouse Arts Center partnered with Flying by Foy, a prestigious flying training company, whose global headquarters are in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company also has operations in the United Kingdom and the Eastern US. 

According to their website, “The company was established in 1957 by Peter Foy, whose innovative techniques and patented mechanical inventions revolutionized theatrical flight in the second half of the 20th century, elevating the ancient practice of stage flying to a modern art form.”

Flying by Foy coordinated the 1954 Broadway version of “Peter Pan” with Mary Martin, which is the version Schoolhouse Arts Center is using for their summer production. The company has flown more productions of “Peter Pan” than any other company. They trained Sandy Duncan and Cathy Rigby,

and oversaw the flying for “Peter Pan Live,” which aired on NBC in 2014.  

Schoolhouse Arts Center put on “Peter Pan” several years ago, and that show did include flying, but not to the same extent, said Cristina McBreairty, President of the Board. This time around they have removed the ceiling in the auditorium section so that Peter Pan can fly closer to the audience. “The last time that we did it, it was all behind the curtains, so we’re taking it one step further,” said McBreairty.  

She added that many other “magical” things will be happening throughout the show. The goal for this production is to make the audience feel like they are there, a theater technique known as “breaking the fourth wall,” she said. “Often a show feels very much like its onstage, rather than they [the audiences] are a part of it,” she said.  

Director Zac Stearn is working hard to create this magic, McBreairty said. “We are so lucky to have him. The energy that he brings, the things he is able to get the cast to do – it’s amazing.”

Stearn is a Maine native who currently resides in Connecticut. Stearn studied theater at the University of Southern Maine (USM).  He has been performing since he was seven years old, and played the role of Peter Pan when he was a child. For fifteen years, Stearn has been a professional stand-up comedian, actor and musician. He has also been a guest director for theaters and theatre programs, including at USM, The Theatre Academy of Maine, the Gaslight Theatre Project, and Hall Dale Theatre. 

The long commute Stearn makes from Connecticut to Standish to direct this show, speaks volumes about his commitment to the production and Schoolhouse Arts Center. Stearn said he has many reasons for being involved in the show.  “I love this show,” he said. “Schoolhouse is a great little theater and it has so much to offer. They’ve been very generous with what we are able to do with this,” he said.

The long commute is well worth it, according to Stearn. “When you find a place like this to work, you just want to work here all the time. The drive is nothing compared to the fun that we have over the weekends.” Stearn previously appeared onstage as the candlestick in the Schoolhouse Arts Center production of Beauty and the Beast.

The young actors being trained to fly for the show are: Kaylin Brown of Gorham (Peter Pan), Molly Lemont, also of Gorham (Peter Pan understudy), Ashley McBreairty of Gorham (Wendy), Corinne Ulmer of Windham (Wendy understudy), Reese Madarasz of Brunswick (John) and Ella Tedeschi (Michael) of York.  

McBreairty said that unlike some shows where the understudies never get seen onstage, the understudies for this production will perform on Thursdays.

The show has a cast of thirty-two. Captain Hook will be played by Steve Koskinen of Portland, Smee will be played by Jeff McNally of Gorham and Tiger Lily will be played by Emily Thompson of New Gloucester and Elizabeth Olsen of Windham. 

The show opens on Thursday, July 13 and runs through Sunday, July 30^th.  Thursday through Saturday performances are at 7 p.m. and Sunday performances begin at 5 p.m. McBreairty said that tickets are already selling fast, in part due to the new online ticketing system that allows people to choose their seats online.  

Norway Savings Bank has contributed generous support to the production of “Peter Pan.” Ticket prices are $19 for adults and $17 for children and seniors. The link to the online reservations system can be found at www.schoolhousearts.org.