If you’ve ever want to strut your stuff on the stage, then Charity Readers Theatre offers a chance to try your hand at acting, and raise money for a good cause at the same time.
Charity Readers Theatre produces “a show in a week.” Auditions take place tomorrow at 10am at the Dongsi Longfu Theatre rehearsal studio, and the performance is the following Saturday, September 16. “There are almost no costumes, no props, no sets, no lighting design, no sound design, no subtitles,” said Chris Verrill of Beijing Playhouse Drama Club. “It’s all about acting, acting, acting.”
This year’s show is Grapes of Wrath, an adaptation of John Steinbeck’s celebrated novel about families fleeing poverty and the Dust Bowl of 1930s America. There are roles for children and teenagers as well as adults. Performers don’t need to worry about learning lines, as they’ll be carrying scripts on the night.
“Experienced actors are encouraged,” Verrill told us, “but new aspiring actors are welcome, too. Volunteer actors always learn and have fun, and take pride in doing a good show. With Charity Readers Theatre, cast and crew also take pride in helping a worthwhile NGO.”
Proceeds from the show will go to the Social Work Development Centre, and if you can’t commit to a week of intense rehearsal, you can still support the project by coming along to the single performance on September 16. This takes place at 7.30pm at the International School of Beijing (ISB) in Shunyi. The show is suitable for ages 8 and up. Tickets cost RMB 80, and are available from artsforagoodcause@charityreaderstheatre.org
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, public domain
