The Reading Theater Project has announced the 10th annual 5-Minute Fringe Festival: Inspired by True Events. This live theater production will feature new work by 14 playwrights and performers from around the region.
Performances begin Feb. 27 and continue through March 2 at the Yocum Institute for Arts Education’s black box Schumo Theater, 3000 Penn Ave., Spring Township. All tickets are pay what you will, with a recommended price of $20. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit readingtheaterproject.org.
Reading Theater Project’s 5-Minute Fringe Festival is a platform for performing artists to create something new, to challenge expectations, to experiment and explore new ideas and to connect with an artistic community. Each year the festival features new and exciting work; this year audiences can look forward to short plays, monologues, dance and music, as well as pieces that intermix performance genres.
“Our goal with Fringe is to give local performing artists a platform to develop new work,” said Artistic Director Vicki Haller Graff. “Creating new theater or performance is a unique challenge. With a goal of 5 minutes, new work becomes accessible to more people, empowering more people in our community to tell their own stories.”
Each night of the performance will be followed by a talkback so audience members can share observations and ask questions of the performers and writers.
Playwrights and performing artists selected for the production include Jewell A. Brown, Crux, Jeanette Fotis, Matt Fotis, Andrea Kennedy Hart, Joel Lesher, Tara Mitchell, Andrew Pochan, Nadia Pochan, Adam Richter, Misha R’Kingsley, Frith Rooney, Mike Shott, Elaine Soltis, Jessica C. Warchal-King and JCWK Dance Lab with Marty Bonk, Eric Williams.
Pianist Andy Roberts will play throughout to link one piece to the next. The production will be directed by Graff, stage managed by Sean Sassaman with assistance from Jewell A. Brown. Jody Reppert is the lighting designer.
Music
Berks Youth Chorus has announced that South African performance troupe Thula Sizwe will bring the songs and dances of Zulu culture to Berks County.
On March 1 at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Shillington, BYC staff will facilitate a workshop for music educators and a community sing with the 10-man group, followed by a full-length concert performed by the ensemble.
Hailing from Soshanguve, South Africa, Thula Sizwe is a celebrated group of vocalists and dancers who keep the historic musical traditions of Zulu warriors alive on the world stage.
Thula Sizwe has performed at high-profile events since its founding in 1984 — including Nelson Mandela’s 1994 inauguration as president of South Africa — and toured globally, from the United States to Thailand to Hungary. The group has been an international ambassador of South African culture and musical traditions for over 40 years.
A collaboration with Pittsburgh Youth Chorus (PYC) and the Bach Choir of Bethlehem has made the day’s events possible.
“Thula Sizwe was forged in the anti-Apartheid movement in South Africa, embodying the power of music as a force for joy and connection in the face of adversity,” said Lee Saville-Iksic, PYC’s executive artistic director.
“We are excited to bring our community opportunities to learn from this dynamic ensemble whose backgrounds are very different from our own,” said Sam Barge, BYC’s executive and artistic director. “Adults and children alike will learn lifelong lessons from Thula Sizwe and their message of unfailing hope and unity.”
BYC is a choral and music education organization with a strong focus on community, friendship and music performance. The organization prepares young singers to serve as community leaders and contribute to a world that is inspired by and connected through music. Its programming includes choirs for singers in grades 3 through 12 and artistic collaborations with high-caliber musicians from Berks County and beyond.
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The Penn State College of Arts and Architecture in cooperation with the Reading Symphony Orchestra League will present “Know Your Symphony Lecture Series” on Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at The Highlands, 2000 Cambridge Ave., Wyomissing. The lecturer will be Daniel Brye, personnel manager, Reading Symphony Orchestra.
Theater
The Reading Civic Theatre production of “Titanic: the Musical,” ensemble version, will take place on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and next Sunday at 2 p.m. at the group’s theater, 4350 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township.
Other upcoming RCT events:
• March 8: 15th annual celebration of the arts and scholarship competition, 6-10 p.m.at the theater in Exeter.
• March 29: Comedian Earl David Reed returns to the RCT stage with his unique and funny comedy.
• April 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13: “Into the Woods.”
• April 6, 7 and 8: Auditions or “Rent: School Edition,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Annie.”
• June 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15: “Rock of Ages.”
• July 7-18: Summer camp, “Seusical, Jr.”
For tickets and more information, visit readingcivic.org.
Source: Berkshire mont