World Theatre Day
- The Guide's Grab Bag
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Hello, “Friends, Romans, and Countrymen. Lend me your ears…” That’s a line from William Shakespeare’s Ides of March classic, Julius Caesar. Most of you know that I am a theatre nerd, through and through. This Friday, March 27, is World Theatre Day, which was inaugurated in 1962 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI). It’s a day that celebrates the value and importance of the art form all over the world, and acts as inspiration for communities and governments to invest in the power of theatre.
We are quite rich in theatrical experiences here in our own small part of the world. With a variety of both professional and community theatres throughout the Shires and Southern Vermont, there is always an opportunity to see live performances - an experience that cannot ever be replicated or replaced with an AI version of itself.
In my lifetime, I have had the great privilege of seeing shows on Broadway in New York and the West End in London. I’ve visited ancient amphitheaters in Italy and watched with awe as actors performed Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Originally built in 1599 by Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the Globe Theatre hosted Shakespeare’s productions until 1613, when it burned down. It was rebuilt within a year and then closed down in 1642 by parliamentary decree (all theatres were shuttered by a Puritan-led government). The 3rd Globe Theatre was founded by Sam Wanamaker and completed in 1997, a replica that honors the original and incorporates modern theatrical technology.
I’ll never forget the moment I sat down and took in the stage at the Globe. In wonderment and awe, I was overcome with emotion. As a young theatre student, I had dreamed of one day performing on this stage. Sitting in the audience was close enough, and I considered it a dream fulfilled. If you look closely at the picture of me and my son taken shortly before the performance began, you will see tears in my eyes.
Many of our local theatres, like the Weston Theater Company, Dorset Theatre Festival, and the Bennington Theater, have announced their new seasons and there are yet more to announce on the horizon. My beloved Dorset Players are actively planning their 99th and 100th seasons (!!!), all while in rehearsals for Clue on Stage (April 10 through April 19) and the musical Something Rotten (May 15 through May 24), where you’ll actually see the character Shakespeare on stage!
“All the world’s a stage and its men and women merely players.” ~ Jacques, Shakespeare’s As You Like It
How will you celebrate World Theatre Day? I’m going to see Burr & Burton Academy’s production of HAIR and then spend the weekend in Clue rehearsal with my fellow thespians.
Local Theatre Companies
Paramount Players at the Paramount Theatre
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