Okay, let's start with the news that Hackmatack Playhouse is calling for digital auditions for its 51st season: They are currently accepting submissions through February 24th.
For more info, please visit us at https://bit.ly/hackmatackauditions
And now the who's and the how's of this unexpected incarnation/continuation of a theater that announced its permanent closure at the end of its 2022 season.
Speaking (shortly after 43 piglets were born in a single weekend at the Hackmatack Farm), former Hack Executive Director Michael Guptill confirmed his sons Conor and Aram Guptill planned to keep Hackmatack alive for it's fifty-first year, after what was supposed to be its last hurrah.
The playhouse announced it would close that year, its 50th season - even held a big farewell event for patrons and many alumni.
Much to Michael's surprise, Conor (who runs Hackmatack Farm) and Aram, along with other relatives "were very discontented about my decision," he says.
"So those two got together and came to me, put a program together, and said 'can we rent the theater,'" he says. "My response was yes, and they're renting it for free. There's no reason to charge for it."
Guptill says he wasn't really surprised given "both are talented and ambitious."
"Conor ran a bluegrass series all this past summer with great success," he says. "And they both believe it is a family legacy....
"I said, if you think you can get an audience here and solve its issue, go ahead."
A major challenge is audience attendance, Michael says. Theater can't survive without attracting a younger demographic.
"They think they can do things differently, ... get online (use social media) to reach younger people and make other changes to make things work better to bring back Hackmatack."
As to their exact plans, Michael admits he's not sure beyond Conor's plans to keep the farm and along with Aram, the theater going.
As to whether we Michael will be around this coming summer: "It will be awkward for us because if we are not there folks may think we do not support them," he says. "We want them to do what they want to do and not be in the way. (But) I’m sure, like usual, it will be an 'all hands-on deck' situation, especially unpaid hands!"
Keep an eye on Hackmatack's moves at www.hackmatackplayhouse.org.
The other major Hackmatack news, it named David Kaye as the artistic director for the inaugural summer, under new Execs.
Kaye, as many in the theater community are aware, is a much-loved regional thespian. He is a University of New Hampshire professor of theater, and a many times over director at Prescott Park Arts Festival. Kaye has authored a number of plays, initiated theater projects, and has directed and performed throughout the seacoast.
'It came about very unexpectedly," Kaye says. "We had a big, lovely tribute last summer ... not a memorial service, but a tribute to a wonderful life ... after the closing, after 50 years. It was definitely bittersweet."
"I got the sense from Conor and Aram that they were really moved by the event. It seemed to plant a seed, that they didn't want to see this go away."
"It's such a great place (and) I think it hit home with them that there is a community of theater artists it was important to, and it was also an important institution for the greater community. So they made the decision ... they didn't want it to evaporate.
I true Kaye style, the prof offered to help them in any way he could, "famous last words," he says. So, when asked, he agreed.
With all his experience in theater, Kaye can help Conor and Aram better producing; "It's the first time for both of them and as we all know producing theater is not for the faint of heart."
The theater will produce three pieces for the 2023, seven-week season: tick, tick...Boom!; Mark Twain's Follies, and Godspell.
Kaye hopes to bring back a lot of alumni "when we can" and when fitting. Per usual, there will be a mix of collage-age and guest performers.
"I'm really excited about it. It always feels great to do something I feel is really making a contribution," he says. "And what can be greater then helping to keep a theater alive, and particularly this company I have such a history with. I'm eager to see this wonderful historical meaningful playhouse continue."
Author Jacquelyn Benson has a whole lot going on - still and always.
First bit of news, "What the Ravens Sing," the fourth and final book in her "The London Charismatics Series" will drop April 1 ( https://jacquelynbenson.com ).
The elevator pitch for her latest Historical Fantasy: A young woman in pre-WWI London forges connections with a band of outcasts who share her supernatural powers—particularly the reclusive Lord Strangford—as she works to solve a series of bizarre murders.
"I've always set out to have a beginning and ending," Benson says. "As a reader I like when my journey with a set of characters reaches a satisfying conclusion."
While the series is done, no telling if a character will take a walk through another's series, she says only time and imagination will tell.
There are also plans for "Ravens Sing" to join the rest of the series as an audiobook.
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