In the last couple of years, a renewed interest in original theatre occurred. A historically-based show debuted in New York off-Broadway and was an immediate hit. 6 months later the show graduated to a run on Broadway and was nominated for 16 Tony Awards, winning 11 - including Best Musical - along with winning awards in music and literature. That musical then made a Chicago residency debut last year along with launching a national tour. That show was callEd Hamilton. Now that energy and passion for this kind of theatre is being brought to Crown Point Community Theatre with their new one-off show titled Hysterical Figures - an event where a large group of artists write, rehearse and perform a series of original historically-based plays in one day - on Saturday June 3rd @ 7:30 PM .
Producer Kate Wiersema is leading the effort in this unique event by providing a creative space where these works can be produced in a quick, collaborative manner. Teams of writers, actors, and directors are pooled together the morning of the show, given their historical figure assignments, and set loose on their own to create a new work to be presented mere hours later. Kate says, "Hamilton was a game changer in the theater world. I want to create something so that people could be a part of that magic and see how combing unlikely genres of theatre and historically-based stories can create something new people would never expect."
Co-producers of the showcase include Kerry Fitch, a veteran of the Northwest Indiana community theatre scene and a member of CPCT's The Tony Stanzas, and Nelson Velazquez, head of the improvisation program at CPCT.
This is CPCT's third effort into producing original original content this season. Their sold-out Sketchubalee and 24/7ish productions introduced the community to the concepts of producing original works in sketch comedy and scripted plays quickly and artistically. "I want to let people create something totally original with a twist. I love how creative people take these challenges head on and the wonderful work that comes to life as a result," Kate adds.
For more information on Crown Point Community Theatre or Hysterical Figures, call (219) 310-8556, email marketing@cpct.biz or visit http://CPCT.biz.
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