IN Peters Township October/November 2016 | Page 66

A Gem on the Lake
BY NICOLE TAFE

Little Lake Theatre delights audiences with local talent
for more than 68 years.

I
UPCOMING SHOWS AT
LITTLE LAKE THEATRE
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
All’s fair in love and war, until
the impish sprite Puck meddles
in the lives of lovesick runaways
and feuding fairies.
Oct. 20 through 22 at 8 p.m.
Oct. 23 at 1:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 at 10 a.m.
Oct. 27 through 29 at 8 p.m.
Nov. 1 at 10 a.m.
Nov. 3 through 5 at 8 p.m.
FANCY NANCY
Anyone can be a star- with a
dash of imagination and
“joie de vivre” (that’s fancy for
“joy of life”)!
Oct. 30, Nov. 5, 12 & 19
at 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 13 & 20 at 1:30 p.m. and
4:30 p.m.
Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
*Tea Parties following the
performances on Nov. 5, 12 & 19
($10 additional fee).
LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC
As two young people cross paths
over the years, an unexpected
bond blossoms in this charming
play. Nov. 10 through 12
at 8 p.m.
Nov. 17 through 19 at 8 p.m.
Nov. 25 & 26 at 8 p.m.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
A fresh and funny twist on a
beloved classic that is sure to get
you into the holiday spirit.
Dec. 1 through 3 at 8 p.m.
Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 through 10 at 8 p.m.
Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 15 through 17 at 8 p.m.
Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

n the spring of 1949, Edith Disney and her son,
Will, discovered an old barn on the side of a lake in
Washington County. The owner, Mr. McDowell, agreed
to lease the barn on his working farm to the Disneys for
use as a space to present live stage plays. And so, Peters
Township’s beloved Little Lake Theatre was born.
Since 1949, Little Lake Theatre has produced more
than 1,200 productions, and has featured the talents of
more than 1,700 actors. The original stage, surrounded
by wooden folding chairs, was located in the center of the
barn floor—forming the area’s first theatre-in-the-round
that audiences still enjoy today. This year marks Little
Lake’s 68th season.
Little Lake is run by a small staff and Board of
Directors made up of artistic and business leaders from
Peters Township and surrounding communities. Kathy
DeBlassio is the current board president, and this year
Jena Oberg joined the staff as Artistic Director.
“I’ve been involved with Little Lake for over 20
seasons,” says Oberg, recalling her first Little Lake show
as a teenager—“Anne of Green Gables.” Oberg has gone
on to direct over 40 productions at Little Lake, and
previously served as the Theatre Arts Camp Director
before stepping into her current role.
Every season, Little Lake Theatre features the talents
of more than 100 local actors, and presents 11 mainstage
productions, three summer “Looking Glass” productions
for children and two fall family matinee productions. This
year, Little Lake will also offer a touring production of
“Letters to Sala” that will be traveling to area high schools.
Nearly all actors are volunteers, with one or two Actors’
Equity Members performing each year by special contract.
“Each season we are blown away by the level of talent that
comes to our open auditions and have been blessed to
work with wonderful actors year after year,” says Oberg.
Little Lake produces a wide variety of genres
and playwrights each season. From the classics, like
Shakespeare, to musicals, comedies, contemporary plays
and audience favorites—there’s something for everyone
each season.
The Artistic Director selects a season’s repertoire
with input from the directors and artistic staff.
Between eight and 12 directors are hired per season for
productions. Many of the directors have been working
with Little Lake for years, while some are new to the
group each year. This season, Little Lake welcomes
four new directors to the organization. All directors are
seasoned