Wayside Theatre Presents BELLE BOYD: A CIVIL WAR SPY Thru 9/20

Wayside Theatre's Emerging Arts in Action is presenting "Belle Boyd: A Civil War Spy", an original script. Sarah Blackwell, Wayside Theatre's Director of Education is coordinating the writing team and directing cast. She stated, "When I first heard of Belle Boyd, I was told she was a female spy during the Civil War who used her womanly wiles to get her information. It was implied that she was doing more than just talking. Through their research the four teen authors have produced a play that is a fascinating and informative picture of Belle Boyd and her true methods. This play is not only a conduit for dispelling the myth of Belle Boyd, but also showing an extremely capable, independent woman, which was unheard of in her time."

"Belle Boyd: A Civil War Spy" is a production of Wayside Theatre's program, ‘Emerging Artists in Action'." stated Sarah Blackwell. The program focuses on teens learning about other aspects of theatre as well as the performance. The fall production is a combination of playwrighting and performance. Four area teens, Molly Knudsen, Sherando High School; Jennifer and Jessica Davison, Millbrook High School; Brandon Shockey, Moorefield High School have been collaborating on crafting the script about local Civil War spy in Front Royal and Martinsburg, WV. Now in rehearsals, the playwrights are seeing their vision come to life. Sarah Blackwell said, "At the first rehearsal with the cast and playwrights, I had said that most playwrights take years to write a script, have it work-shopped through a staged reading, go through rewrites, and then finally have a World Premiere of their play. We are doing all this in weeks. It's a challenge, but the challenge is easier when everyone, from the playwrights to the actors to the design staff at Wayside, gives 110% to bring this play to life."

The production cast has local teen actors and consists of seven actors. The cast is composed of the following young actors from our region: Sarah Kahler, Warren County High School; Johnny Chesek, Millbrook High School; Margot Cramer, James Wood Middle School; Lyndsey Jennings, homeschooled Clarke County; Danny McGrath, Clarke County; Shaunbay Pendleton, Lord Fairfax Community College; Tyler Tharpe, Skyline High School.

Wayside Theatre has partnered with Lord Fairfax Community College for the performances to held in the Special Events Hall at Lord Fairfax. "Our partnership with Lord Fairfax has been amazing. From the moment the idea was mentioned, everyone was on board. It's a win-win situation. We can only hope that this relationship will continue in the future." said Sarah Blackwell.

Performances will be held at the Special Events Hall at Lord Fairfax Community College, 141 Skirmishers Lane, Middletown, VA. The "Belle Boyd: A Civil War Spy" official opening night is Friday, September 18 at 7:30pm. All performances are general admission. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 PM through September 20. Ticket prices are $12 to $15 dollars for adults. Prices for children 17 and under are $10 for any show

Wayside Theatre is located on Main Street in Middletown, Virginia. Please call the box office at (540) 869-1776 to reserve your ticket. Additional information about Wayside Theatre can be obtained on the theatre's website at www.waysidetheatre.org.

 

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