Ensemble Stage

Ensemble Stage summer premieres

BY JILLYAN MOBLEY

Though small in stature, the 99seat Ensemble Stage in Banner Elk hosts big talent. Established in 2009, the Ensemble Stage provides the residents of The High Country, along with its visitors, live theater performances at affordable rates.

This summer, Ensemble Stage will offer an array of programming, from premieres to summer camps. After taking a pause in performances in 2020 due to COVID-19 and working to maintain normalcy and safety in 2021, the staff at Ensemble Stage are excited for a busy upcoming season.

“I have to say, our upcoming 2022 season is the most exciting of any we’ve had since our inception in 2009. That’s because for the first time all of our main stage productions are some type of premiere,” said Artistic Director at Ensemble Stage Gary Smith. “The first two are

PHOTO COURTESY ENSEMBLE STAGE Mark Allen Woodard, Scott Douglas Wilson and Margaret Dalton starred in ‘The Business of Murder’ in 2021.

regional premieres, the third is an international premiere and finally we close out our Summer Main Stage productions with our first-ever world premiere, written by a celebrated and award-winning playwright. The show will also star an actress who has appeared in numerous plays around the world, including Broadway.”

The regional premiere of comedy “No Wake” will be performed June 24 through July 2, the suspenseful thriller “Catch the Butcher” will be performed July 15 through July 23, the international premiere of “Baby on Board” will be performed Aug. 12 through Aug. 20 and the world premiere of the drama “Zaglada” will be performed Sept. 9 through Sept. 17.

In addition to these productions, Ensemble Stage also offers a variety of programming for youth. “Furry Tails with a Twist,” an interactive comedy about storytelling, will be performed on June 11 and 18 and July 9 and 30 as part of the nonprofit’s Saturday Kids Theater Series. An “everything theater” summer camp for children ages seven through 13 will begin on June 27, ending with a graduation performance on July 2.

With a mission to “inspire, challenge and nurture the imagination and social skills of youths and adults through performances and theater based educational programs,” Ensemble Stage is committed to bringing professional productions and enriching experiences to the High Country.

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