The Strand Theater Stakes Its Claim in Local Community Theater 5/29

The Strand Theater will mark its second anniversary with Open House: Celebrating Community on Saturday, May 29, 2010 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. During its short tenure, the Strand has seen great success, producing eight full-length season plays, all of which were Baltimore premieres. With a focus on community, the Strand has made its mark by providing affordable theater space to over 15 organizations, serving more than 5,000 patrons, and playing an integral role in the revitalization of the Station North Arts & Entertainment District.

Everyone keeps telling me that the first two years of a new nonprofit are the most difficult, notes Jayme Kilburn, Artistic Director. The Open House marks the end of our second season and the beginning of our third. We made it! And now it is time to celebrate! The Strands operating budget has more than doubled since opening its doors in July 2008. The annual Open House is the Strands largest fundraising effort of the year. Proceeds from the Open House will go towards securing script rights for next season, developing a promotional brochure and performance playbills, and the purchase of new lighting equipment and sophisticated box office hardware.

Open House: Celebrating Community will begin at 4:00 p.m. with an hour dedicated to families. Children will be invited to participate in the creation of a mural on the Strands interior wall. Also during family hour, face painters, clowns and balloon artists will delight the children, while parents can enjoy drinks in the courtyard. At 5:00 p.m. the Strand will turn the stage over to singer/songwriter ellen cherry, who is the talent behind the recently featured commercial on FOX45: We are Baltimore. At 6:00 p.m., see a short and sweet 20-minute re-cap of the entire 2009-2010 Strand season featuring the same actors who performed throughout the year. At 6:30 p.m. Ian Jones will take the stage with his pseudo-psychedelic rock stylings, last seen at the Wind Up Spaces New Years Eve Bash. To close the evening, Kate Guntermann, who was the highlight of last years Open House and always delights, will eat fire in the back courtyard. Free refreshments (food and alcohol), donated by local restaurants, will be available throughout the event. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction and can bid on everything from headshots to dinner certificates to a wine tasting to Strand paraphernalia.

The Strand Theater is a community theater dedicated to providing opportunities for women artists, writers, designers and directors. With a focus on producing original works, the Strand hopes to foster a love of theater for a new generation of patrons.

www.strandtheatercompany.org