Local Teens to Bring Classic Plays to Outdoor Stage

A trio of classic plays are coming to the Madeira School later this month, and they’ll be performed by some of the area’s most talented teenage actors.

Traveling Players teen ensembles will perform Moliere’s The Learned Ladies and The Miser, as well as Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona, on Friday July 17 beginning at 4:30 p.m.

The day of performances will begin with performances of The Miser and The Learned Ladies by the middle school ensembles at 4:30 p.m. After a picnic dinner at 6:30 p.m., the high school ensemble will perform The Two Gentlemen of Verona at 7:30 p.m., and the evening will draw to a close at around 9:30 p.m.

Tickets will cost $10 at the door, and those planning to attend may bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic items, bug spray and flash lights. Camping chairs will also be rented out at Madeira for those in need of seating.

The ensembles have been preparing for these performances throughout the early summer months, and their shows will wrap up a brief summer performance tour.

To prepare, middle school- and high school-aged student-actors attended Traveling Players Ensemble camps connecting theater with the great outdoors. The camps not only included outdoor rehearsals (which will be reflected in the outdoor performances at Madeira), but also featured traditional outdoor camping experiences for participants.

Traveling Players Ensemble has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts by being selected as one of the nation’s top 25 “Summer School in the Arts.”