MEET OUR CAST…The Laramie Project

Meet our first 3 actors in our upcoming production of “The Laramie Project” at Johnson Hall Opera House on March 28th at 7:00 p.m. and March 29th at 2:00 p.m.:

RAY FLETCHER…‘A British/American actor’- Ray has performed such roles as; TEVYA, WILLIE LOMAN, FAGIN and BOTTOM. Ray studied theatre at university and was awarded Best Male Musical Performer in a Lead Role by the American College Theatre Festival at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. After living in the U.K. for the last twenty-five years, Ray returned home to the U.S.A. and settled down in Maine! Stage, Film, TV – OK, but this Virtual Stuff – Old Dogs, New Tricks!

CHLOE ALLEN…This is Chloe’s first performance with Open Book Players! She has acted all through her schooling but this is her first ‘adult’ role. Chloe is excited to (hopefully) be in more shows in the future. She is a middle school teacher that hopes you learn something new from this show. She wants to leave you with this quote:

“To hate is an easy, lazy thing but to love takes strength everyone has but not all are willing to practice.” — Rupi Kaur

ALEXIS BOURGET…Lexi is in her second show with Open Book Players. She is involved in her theater program at Gardiner Area High School with the most recent role of Cousin Tilly in Its a Wonderful Life. She is very grateful to Lucy for this opportunity and can’t wait to do more with Open Book Players in the future!

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THE LARAMIE PROJECT…Meet Our Cast

THE LARAMIE PROJECT…Meet our next four actors for this show being presented on March 28th at 7:00 p.m. and March 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson Hall Opera House:

MAUREEN KENDZIERSKI…Maureen is a resident of Hallowell. After many years away from the theatre, she has played two small roles in Gaslight Theater productions over the past two years. She is happy to be a part of the Laramie Project because she believes that none of us are free until all of us are free.

MAKENZIE WADE…Makenzie Wade has been involved in theater for her entire life. She is ecstatic to be returning to Open Book Players after quite a few years. “The Laramie Project” has been at the top of her list for her to perform in since early high school and she is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be in this wonderful and important production! This is certainly not a show to miss and she hopes to see you there!

JEANNE FLETCHER…I have been involved in theatre since I was quite young and have always loved it. Early types of work in the ’60s ranged from All State Chorus in high school to two
professional seasons with the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera during my college years. Post grad in New York brought commercial voice over work – which was both a challenge and great fun.
When I moved to the Boston area, work continued with roles such as Lily/Kate in Kiss Me Kate, Billy Dawn in Born Yesterday, Ellen in LUV, and Ilona in She Loves Me. There also was choral work with the Boston Pops and Boston Symphony. Whilst in England for 25 years, there was more choral work with the London Symphony and Royal Philharmonic, and a variety of stage roles in The Diary of Anne Frank, Company, Oliver!, and others. Upon return to the States we settled in Monmouth and are actively involved with
several area community theatre groups. Most recent roles were in Steel Magnolias (Clairee) and Grey Gardens (Mama).

NIK PETERSON…Nik Peterson has been involved in theater since the fourth grade where he starred as “Greedo” in his elementary school’s production of Beauty and The Beast. In the years that followed Nik participated in well over 50 plays throughout his young adulthood. Now 25, he has recently returned to the Maine theater scene, excited to begin a new chapter.

MEET OUR CAST…The Laramie Project

Meet our next four actors for our upcoming production of “The Laramie Project” on March 28th at 7:00 p.m. and March 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Johnson Hall Opera House in Gardiner.

CINDY TURCOTTE…I have been a part of Open Book Players since it began in 1996. It is and has been such a pleasure to work with all of the board members and others who have graced us over the years. One of my greatest pleasures is getting to bring to life the words that are written on the pages of such wonderful author/playwrights. Secondly, I am so grateful to get to work with amazing people who work so hard to offer you the joys of Reader’s Theatre. Open Book Players is where my heart is. Please come join us as we, once again, perform the amazing and important “The Laramie Project”.

KATHLEEN BRAINERD…Kathleen Brainerd has acted in many productions at Gaslight, Monmouth and Freeport Community Theaters (favorite roles are Romaine in Witness for the Prosecution, Dottie/Mrs. Claggett in Noises off, and Imogene in Four Old Broads. Her first love is Open Book Players where she has acted, directed, learned, and served on the board. She is especially pleased to be part of this vibrant Laramie cast, having done this still very relevant play with OBP years ago. When not acting, she travels the world in her part-time consulting job for the Navy, visits her distant children and grandchildren, and enjoys Maine with her husband, Jeff and their dogs.

TED PERRIN…Ted is a woodworking hobbyist and aspiring gentleman yardsmith. He has been active in the theater since 1985 with only one brief thirty-two-year break. He lives in Hallowell’s Sobo neighborhood with his girlfriend and three cats.

NICK LINKEL…Nick has been involved in theatre for over 15 years. He helps out with Open Book Players, partook in the drama club at Oak Hill High School, and has been involved in a handful of shows at Gaslight Theater. He particularly enjoys the lights and sound aspect of Tech, but was eager to be on stage for “The Laramie Project”.

AUDITIONS…The Laramie Project

AUDITIONS…Just two more days for the auditions for “The Laramie Project”, Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. at Johnson Hall Opera House. Performances will be on March 28th at 7:00 p.m. and March 29th at 2:00 p.m. Hope to see many of you there…help us spread the word!

AUDITIONS…The Laramie Project

Less than a week now for “The Laramie Project” auditions to be held at Johnson Hall Opera House on Sunday, March 1st at 6:00 p.m. Performances will be at the same location on March 28th at 7:00 p.m. and March 29th at 2:00 p.m. Hope to see you either in the show or in the audience! Help us spread the word!!

THE LARAMIE PROJECT…Synopsis

Here is a synopsis of “The Laramie Project” with our auditions set for March 1st at 6:00 p.m. at Johnson Hall Opera House and performances scheduled for March 28th at 7:00 p.m. and March 29th at 2:00 p.m. A powerful theatrical presentation, ideal for readers theatre, with a cast size between 8 and 14 actors portraying multiple characters. Hope to see you there!

SYNOPSIS:
In October 1998 in the middle of the prairie outside Laramie, Wyoming, Matthew Shepard, a 21 year old student at the University of Wyoming, was tied to a fence post, severely beaten, robbed, , tortured and left, alone, to die. His body — battered, bloody, barely clinging to life — was discovered eighteen hours later. He was rushed to the hospital and put on life support. He died five days later. The reason for this brutal crime? Matthew Shepard was gay.

The hate crime attracted vast attention worldwide, bringing sexual discrimination and violence to the forefront of public discourse. The Tectonic Theater Project, led by their founder Moisés Kaufman, traveled to Laramie in the aftermath of the murder with the intent of creating a theatrical portrait of a town coming to grips with horrible, hate-fueled violence. Over the course of a year and a half, the group interviewed over 200 subjects, some directly related to the case and some regular citizens of Laramie. Out of these interviews, journal entries, and found texts, The Laramie Project was born. Hailed as one of the most captivating and encompassing pieces of contemporary theatre, the play shocks, challenges, and moves all who watch it as it reveals the lowest depths of hatred and greatest heights of compassion that lies within all human beings in any seemingly average community.

THE LARAMIE PROJECT…Audition and Performance Information


As promised, Open Book Players will hold auditions for “The Laramie Project” by Moises Kaufman and the Member of Tectonic Theater Project on MARCH 1ST AT 6:00 P.M. IN Johnson Hall Opera House IN GARDINER.
The cast size can be anywhere from a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 14, with parts for male and female actors fairly distributed. Auditions will include readings from the script and a discussion about the rehearsal schedule.
PERFORMANCE DATES: March 28th at 7:00 p.m. and March 29th at 2:00 p.m.
If you have any questions, feel free to private message or email openbookplayers@gmail.com. Join us if you can and do help us to spread the word!

OUR NEXT SHOW…

ATTENTION ALL…Details of our upcoming auditions and performance dates for “The Laramie Project” by Moises Kaufman and the member of Tectonic Theater Project will be posted on February 1st…look for it! And feel free to help us spread the word!