Crest Area Theatre prepares for winter show reveal

Members of Crest Area Theatre board met Monday to discuss final preparations needed before the upcoming show will be officially revealed in the coming weeks.

The show, which the board would prefer not to reveal to the public until fully prepared, will be a staged radio show based on a popular holiday drama with a 1940s setting. The show will use a set which mimics a radio show, with a sign for applause to help encourage audience participation. Sound effects will be performed diegetically on stage using a variety of props.

Scene transitions in the show will be intercut with various commercials, written in the script for various products from the 1940s. The board had an idea to invite local Creston businesses to feature in these advertisements instead. Following the show’s reveal, the board plans to reach out to business and invites those interested to correspond.

Those interested in auditions can mark their calendars for Oct. 6-8, with the show performed Dec. 6-8. Advertisement for the show will be ready by the Balloon Days Parade on Sept. 21. Ellie Soosloff will direct the show, with Crest Area Theatre President Bill Mullin as assistant director.

During the meeting, the board accepted a presentation from Creston High School student Carson Beer, who presented a script for a show he had written with the intention of performing it in the SWCC Performing Arts Center’s space in March.

Beer described his script as a comedy about writers finding the balance in art and money, and was open to any changes the board would want to make. He also said he’s already assembled actors and pit for the show, and is mostly looking for a space to perform.

The board was supportive of the proposal, and was willing to offer assistance to parts of the production, such as providing lights and advertising, following the board’s read and approval of the script. The SWCC Performing Arts Center’s space would need to be reserved through SWCC.

Crest Area Theatre Vice President board Linda Huffman showed support for Beer’s proposal. “We’re just so happy to work with young people, we’re glad that you came to us,” she said. “We’re happy to support you in any way we can.”