August 17, 2006 Issue                                       

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Stagecrafters stages open house,seeks volunteers for new season

Lavinia DeCastro of Mount Airy (left) and Pierlisa Chiodo-Steo of Chestnut Hill are seen performing last season in The Cherry Orchard at The Stagecrafters. [Photo by Sara Stewart]

The Stagecrafters theater in Chestnut Hill, a non-profit, volunteer-based organization about to enter its 78th season, will host its annual open house on Wednesday, August 23, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The Stagecrafters is dedicated to making live theatrical productions of the highest quality available to residents of Philadelphia and the surrounding communities. Loyal and committed volunteers provide the foundation for their productions, which encompass a wide range of comedies, dramas, farces, mysteries, recent hits, hard-hitting contemporary fare, classics and revivals. The theater puts on six shows annually in a season running from September to June.

All are invited to come and learn of The Stagecrafters’ on-going commitment to excellence in the art and craft of live stage performance. Members of the organization will be on hand to tell visitors about the offerings for the upcoming 2006-2007 season, as well as what goes into creating a successful dramatic production.

As the advancement of The Stagecrafters over the decades has been a result of the dedication of countless volunteers, the theater is continually looking for new people to give of their time and skills. The yearly Open House is a key means of recruiting “new blood” for the theater’s many on-going and evolving needs. Persons from all walks of life are welcome, and a great range of interests and talents is sought. Right now the areas of particular need for the theater are set design, set construction, lighting and sound; also, publicity, tickets and fundraising.

For those with no prior experience, comprehensive on-the-job training is provided. A recent article on The Stagecrafters appearing in the Chestnut Hill Local (June 22, page 24), one of a series by Paula M. Riley on volunteers in the community, reported that, “ … Stagecrafters is a very structured theater with clear lines of responsibility … this increases the quality of the performance because everyone is focused on perfecting their own craft … [The group] includes a mixture of professionals and former professionals whose performances rival Center City stages … ”

During the evening of the open house, a general audition will also take place. Individuals who wish to audition will be expected to present one or two short, prepared monologues.

The Stagecrafters is located at 8130 Germantown Ave. For additional information about this event, call 215-247-9257 or visit www.thestagecrafters.org.