A classic novel makes it to the stage

Salem Repertory Theater brings its adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book “To Kill a Mockingbird” to audiences April 30- May 24.

The theater’s largest project yet, the play boasts a 20-member cast. Its final production of the 2008-09 season, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” is a tale about children growing up amongst injustices due to race and class in depression era Maycomb, Alabama.

Leads Jem and Scout are played by Andy Hillstrom and Dawnie Drebin. Hillstrom is new to the SRT family, while Debrin along with Tom Naban, who plays father Atticus Finch are regulars in the local company.

Ironically, these are young adults playing children. SRT is producing a non-traditional take on the story by incorporating Bunraku-style puppets to explore the coming of age of the three children. “The production captures the poetic quality and subtle textures of a remembered childhood,” Director David Janoviak said.

Evening performances are held at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Tickets can be purchased online or by call (503) 302-8907. General admission prices are $19-22, with discounts available for seniors, students, and military.

Majestic offers new adult classes

Traditionally offering classes only for aspiring child thespians, Majestic Theater begins two courses for adults in April.

The local theater has both a hands-on acting course and an educational class on local theater opens to anyone 17 years and older.

Survey of Willamette Valley Theatre is held on Fridays from 7-8 p.m. beginning April 3. In this class, students read, see and discuss four local plays appearing in various Willamette Valley theaters. The selections include “Heroes” at Willamette Valley Stage Company, “An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein” at PipeDream Theatre in Corvallis, “Suicide Weather” at Lord Leebrick Theatre and “Shakespeare’s Journey” at Oregon State University. The course costs $150, which includes tickets to Friday performances of each play. This class runs through May 29.

Encouraging adults to give the stage a try, Majestic also offers an Acting for Everyone class. Beginners who wish to learn the craft, or those who wish to gain skills and perfect their talent are both meant for this class. Taught by Jen Waters, a local and professional actress, the class includes monologue and scene work, finding character, as well as tips on auditioning and memorization. This class is held from 7-8:30 on Mondays through May 18, on which the students put on a show for family and friends. The fee for this class is also $150.

Youth theater workshops teach “know how”

How much can be learned in a day? Well, Albany Civic Theater hopes to impart experience as knowledge for children 4th grade through high school in a theater know-how workshops held on April 25.

An ensemble of theater professionals, Heidi Kravitz, Matt Genuser, Rebecca Douglas, Diane Allen, and Mirinda Keeling share tips and wisdom on various aspects of being an actor. Participants are meant to learn helpful skills that directors want young actors to have before they audition for a show.

The two-hour workshop held from 2-4 p.m. teaches young actors about stage direction, diction, volume, memorization, staying in character, taking direction, creating a character, and even appropriate rehearsal attire.

For interested children and their parents, no previous experience is required and the workshop has a budget friendly price of $1.