A surprise in the selection of plays for Elliot Lake Amateur Theatre Ensemble’s (ELATE) spring production is an original script from Jay Albert, 17, a Grade 12 drama student at Elliot Lake Secondary School (ELSS).
Albert played the part of Ashley in ELATE’s fall production of “The Allies are Coming.”
Producer David Black said the ELATE board read Albert’s play. “We were just blown away.” He said the writing was “so sophisticated” for a 17-year-old.
Black said there are two ways in which ELATE selects a play. “We have people who like to direct who read a play, or a couple of plays, and they submit them to the ELATE Board for selection.” The second way is for the ELATE Board to come up with a selection. “We as a board can decide to do a play.”
“We have a play reading group that meets every month and reads plays… we have a library of plays.” When one is selected, then the board “needs to find someone to direct it.”
In a recent press release, Black said, “We are very excited to stage the premiere of Jay’s work. It is a sophisticated, thought-provoking, beautifully written script that deals with missed opportunities and second chances in life.”
The play, Second Chances, will be directed by Albert and requires a cast of “three male and two female characters of a wide age range.”
ELATE will be staging two one-act plays in April. The other play, Florence and Joyce, written by Toronto playwright Pat Cochrane, will be directed by Joel Haszard.
Black writes, “Joel made his directorial debut with ELATE last fall with the play The Allies are Coming. Joel is a veteran of the Toronto theatre scene, having recently appeared in last summer’s Toronto Fringe Festival. The play, Florence and Joyce, courts the issue of homelessness and unconditional friendship against the harsh backdrop of the streets of Toronto.
The characters bring empathy, warmth and humour to the story. The play calls for four female and one male actors.
ELATE is now calling for “anyone interested in performing in local theatre either on stage or backstage.” It is open to “anyone interested in amateur theatre.
On Jan. 28 ELATE is holding an introductory workshop open to all. This will be held in the ELSS drama room at 7 p.m. The workshop will offer warmup activities, along with movement and scene study led by Haszard.
The following night, Jan. 29, same time and location, will provide an opportunity for participants to enjoy the first cold reading of the two scripts. The directors will be present to discuss their chosen plays.
Audition dates are Feb. 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. in the drama room. People can try out on one or both dates.
Black said they are hoping that younger people will come out to audition because some of the parts call for younger actors. He said having new people join “really gives a shot in the arm…. and makes the production more vital because they bring fresh ideas and creativity. We thrive on getting new people.
“All interested members of our community are invited to join in these activities. Participants in all ELATE activities, however, must be members. Membership fee is $25 per year (June 1 to May 31) or $40 for a couple living in the same residence.”
The spring show dates are April 4, 5, 11 and 12.
For more information, contact David Black at 705-578-2042 or email him at [email protected].