While it is fair to say that Beijing is somewhat lacking in English-language community theater, especially for young people, we are not completely void of this wonderful medium of expression. One important example of this is the Charity Readers Theatre.
Twice a year, they hold auditions for their “Show In a Week” program, where throughout the course of a week they rehearse and finally perform a stage classic. In past years they have tackled “Grapes of Wrath”, and “Miracle on 34th Street”. The best part is that 100 percent of all ticket sales will be donated to the Yuanzhong Gender Development Center charity.
Auditions, open to all, will be held at Longfu Theater (Dongsi station, subway Lines 5 & 6) on Saturday, Sept 15, and rehearsals will run from Sep 15-21, with the final performance being staged at the International School of Beijing (ISB) on Sep 22.
In addition to their “Show In a Week,” Charity Readers Theatre are also hosting drama workshops on Aug 7, 21, and Sept 4. This is the perfect way to get your foot in the door of this great organization, which is bringing quality dramatic performances to the center stage of Beijing’s English language community. For more info about the workshops or upcoming auditions contact them here.
We at beijingkids are big fans of this project, and we’re delighted to see that Charity Readers Theater are moving forward despite the departure of the group’s founder, Chris Verrill, last January.
Photos: Courtesy of Chris Verrill
