BEAT (Quality Youth Theatre) is taking on a new performance adventure of Black Box Theatre. There are several definitions of Black Box, but one must know the difference between theater and theatre. Junie B. Jones at 2nd Street Theater February 6-7
According to Grammarist, “In most contexts, there is no difference in meaning between theater and theatre. Neither has any special definitions in general usage. The main thing that most English speakers need to know is that theater is the preferred spelling in American English, and theatre is preferred virtually everywhere else.
Some Americans do make distinctions—for instance, that a theater is a venue while theatre is an art form … There is nothing wrong with making these distinctions, but they are not consistently borne out in general usage. “Thus, the Black Box theatre BEAT is undertaking is a simplified version of a mainstage production, yet these performances are held to the same quality of acting. Having to turn young actors away from a production is a problem that BEAT has been trying to solve. Black Box theatre is a winning solution and for 2015, BEAT has added three Black Box productions to its season.
The first one scheduled is Junie B. Jones, written by Barbara Park. It all starts when Junie B. Jones gets punishment for shooting off her mouth in kindergarten. She does not always remember room nine rules especially when it comes to using her inside voice. And now she’s in big trouble again! The cast is made up of 13 enthusiastic actors, ranging in ages six to nine. Join the cast to watch Junie B. Jones and her friends in a compilation of kindergarten antics! Directed by Leila Smith-Daines.
Chamber Music by Arthur Kopit, is based in a mental hospital in the 1930s eight women must fight for their freedom. All of the women believe themselves to be someone of significant history including Pearl White, Amelia Earhart and Joan of Arc. The women in Ward Five are convinced that they must break free and go to the men’s ward before the men turn into cannibals and eat them. These eight woman are brought to the test of how far they will go, against an abusive doctor, and the fear that they may be eaten any day now. Directed by Student Director Judi Kelley.
The Dining Room by AR Gurney is a remarkable play of days gone by; the days of ol’ when families sat around the table, talked and had dinner. It’s a beautiful look at the conversations held around one table in several families. Surprising, yet familiar. The script calls upon 12 actors to portray a total of 57 characters across 18 scenes from different upper middle-class households. From a father and son talking politics, two teenage girls sneaking liquor from their parents, to a woman stricken with Alzheimer’s struggling to recognize her son and home. Directed by Angelina Anello-Dennee.
Experience a BEAT Black Box show with minimal lighting, sets or props . . . just great acting! www.beatonline.org.
Junie B. Jones
2nd Street Theater
February 6 and 7
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Chamber Music
Venue TBD
March 7 and 8
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The Dining Room
2nd Street Theater
April 25 and 26
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