Penobscot Theatre Company Announces Halloween Performance of Roald Dahl's The Witches

Penobscot Theatre Dramatic Academy is thrilled to announce their youth production of The Witches. To celebrate Halloween, literacy, and live performance, Dramatic Academy's Tiny Thespians and Youth Troupe will collaborate to perform this modern classic. Featuring 18 local students, this production will take place on the main stage of The Bangor Opera house with a special opening performance on October 31st at 4 p.m. Audience members are encouraged to come in their Halloween costumes for the 60 minute performance to make sure they are ready to trick or treat after the show! Movement, magic, and mice are combined to create a thrilling play performed by young actors and written for young audiences.

"I love this project," says Director of Education Jasmine Ireland, "The Witches was absolutely one of my favorite books as a child. It is tremendously exciting to get to share Roald Dahl's work with a new generation and help them bring it to life." This year marks a first for the Education Department at PTC, celebrating its 40th Anniversary by widely expanding its Educational offerings. The Witches is the first of three plays Dramatic Academy will fully produce this year. To accommodate both PTC's main stage production of The Woman in Black and The Witches both casts will share the same set, designed by Sean McClelland. "It's important that students understand the practical application of what they learn in the classroom," says Ireland, "what a great treat for young students to get to perform on a professionally designed set! Serendipitously, the design for The Woman in Black worked incredibly well for our youth production as well."

Dramatic Academy's production of The Witches feature students aged 4-12 from throughout the greater Bangor region. These students rehearse twice a week beginning in September and participate in a process that mirrors the professional process including casting, "read- throughs", rehearsals, and a series of technical rehearsals. Productions for Dramatic Academy also feature young professionals aspiring to careers in theatre.

The Witches production team includes Stage Manager: Alyssa Stubbs (Bangor High School), Sound Designer: Justin Chamberlain (New England School of Communications), Production Manager/Properties Design: Tricia Hobbs (University of Maine recent grad), and Lighting Design: Scout Hough (UNC School of the Arts grad). Local student actors include:

Tiny Thespians: Walker Bayless, Charlotte Hautala, Sophie Baker, Sophia Merchan (Bangor), and Evander Preston (Newburgh)

Youth Troupe: Kate Griffin, Tala Bayless, Sophia Mullins, Elisabeth Budd (Bangor), Jonah Roberts, Asa Roberts (Newburgh), Thea Bowden (Hampden), Gracie Farrar, LillyAnne Keeley (Winterport), Lana Sabbagh (Brewer), Emma Cowing, Caroline Cowing (Orono), and Sarah Hartford (Veazie).

For more information on Dramatic Academy or to register for upcoming classes please contact Director of Education Jasmine Ireland or visit the Education page on PTC's website.

The Witches by Roald Dahl, adapted by David Wood is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc with generous sponsorship by the C. Walder Parke Family Foundation.

The Witches will have a special Halloween performance October 31st at 4 p.m. and two additional performances on November 1st and 2nd at 5 p.m. all to be held at the Bangor Opera House. Tickets are $8 for children $12 for adults and are general admission. To make your reservation, please call the box office at 942-3333 or visitwww.penobscottheatre.org.