Bringing you live theatre since 1978!

Welcome to the news about upcoming productions, auditions, and summer camps! Since 1978, Fauquier Community Theatre has brought plays and musicals to life on stage that total 266 productions with well over 2,000 performances. See you at the theatre! - Debra Smyers, FCT Executive Director

Night Must Fall Fauquier Community Theatre presents the play Night Must Fall which is a psychological thriller. It is suspense at its best and a must-see! The plot revolves around a wickedly charming bellhop who wins the confidence of an elderly invalid living in a calm English countryside in the 1930's. Thrills and chills, twists and turns are all abundant in this dark tale of suspense, one of the best British mysteries from master playwright Emlyn Williams. FCT's Night Must Fall opens on Friday, March 13, 2020 and runs through Sunday, March 29. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm, and Sunday matinees are at 2 pm. Tickets for Night Must Fall are $16 for students and seniors and $18 for adults. Performances take place at the Vint Hill Theater on the Green located at 4225 Aiken Drive, Warrenton, VA. Tickets here: www.FCTstage.org. Reserve early for your favorite seating preferences.

Q & A for Night Must Fall with Director Peter M. Marsh Q: Why did you choose Night Must Fall ?   A: Night Must Fall was one of my first experiences as an audience member at a community theatre. I was in ninth grade in high school in Memphis and Theatre Memphis was staging the show and I went to see it as an assignment for Mrs. Tosh’s Drama I class. It was a great performance, so I bought the script. I used one of Dan’s monologues for auditions for several years after that because it is so intense and covers such a range of emotions and because it is so creepy. You can’t take your eyes off of him during that scene. I grew up watching lots of BBC period dramas—my mom was a big fan of Mystery on PBS—and I have always loved that genre. It’s a special show for me.   Q: Why two casts?   A: I have always believed that, beyond providing entertainment, the role of the community theatre should always be providing opportunities to perform for as many people as possible who are willing to make the commitment to be in a show. I am convinced that part of a balanced, healthy life is finding a meaningful creative outlet. We all have this creative urge or instinct inside us. For some people it may be painting, for some people it’s making costumes or decorating their house; but if someone wants to try their hand at acting, Fauquier Community Theatre is there to help cultivate that interest. It is so fun to watch how the two casts have evolved and how subtle variations in the performances between two actors emerge. People who come to see both casts will get to see two different actors’ takes on the same role and how their choices impact the actors who are shared between the two casts.   Q: What is your overall concept of this staging of Night Must Fall ?   A: The show was originally set in the mid 1930’s, so we wanted to be true to that in costumes and set. Though, as I said, it doesn’t fit into one genre cleanly, it does have elements drawn from common trends in productions from the 1930’s and we wanted to embrace that part of it, too. We are incorporating audio effects to enhance that experience—including the music the audience hears from the minute they walk into the theatre. That era was such a time of transformation—the depression, emerging technology, political upheaval in Europe. England was still dealing with the emotional strain that came following the first World War. The world was becoming a scarier place for a woman like Mrs. Bramson or for the Lord Chief Justice who introduces the play. They were aghast at the new modernity and ill-equipped to function in it.    Q: What do you love about the characters in Night Must Fall ?   A: They are written so richly. The dialogue is written such that every character has an opportunity to be the focus of their scenes. The show is set at the tail-end of England’s rigid class system and the characters all represent a facet of English society.  In some ways, Mrs. Bramson (Hilary Pierce, Lori McInnis) has echoes of Dickens’ Miss Havisham in that she has locked herself away in her bungalow and shut out the outside world. Olivia (Erin Coulter, Dawn Gaynor) is her more modern niece who find herself longing to break free of the expectations traditional society would place on her.  Hubert (Colt Fitzgerald, Eric Friedman) represents the emerging English businessman who is just beginning to realize his worth in this newly reconstructed social order. Mrs. Terrence (Carolyn Cameron) is a no-nonsense, hard-working traditional woman who has grown weary of doting on her wealthy employer and sees her excesses for what they are.  Dora (Carleigh Hopkins, Bevin Hester) is a by-product of the Roaring 20’s and is not constrained by traditional conventions and morals. Nurse Libby (Elizabeth Steimel, Kimberly Stierle) is a bubbly presence who finds meaning and purpose in caring for the needs of others as nurses began to take on more responsibility for health care in the Interwar period. She is also a bit of a gossip.  Dan (Ben Rawlins) is…well he is Dan. You’ll have to come see the show to see for yourself just what Dan is and figure out for yourself what he represents. These casts have done a wonderful job of bringing their characters to life.

The character Dan is a master manipulator and is played by Ben Rawlins. See the show to find out what that look is all about from Erin Coulter as she portrays the role of Olivia Grayne in this scene from Night Must Fall.

Q: What do you think it is that makes Night Must Fall a special show?   A: It’s a roller-coaster and it doesn’t fit into just one niche. It is not a pure murder mystery. It’s not a pure drama. I call it an English Drawing Room Murder Drama-Comedy. There is great character work in the show and the script is written to make the audience laugh in one moment and be horrified in the next. Cast List for Night Must Fall Many of the roles have been double cast. See the entire Night Must Fall Cast List. Meet and Greet Reception Opening Night On the opening night performance of Night Must Fall of Friday March 13, there will be a meet and greet reception following the show for all FCT members to talk to the director, cast, and crew while enjoying complimentary refreshments. Reserve your Seats for Night Must Fall Tickets for Night Must Fall may be purchased here: www.FCTstage.org or by calling 540-349-8760. Reserve early for your favorite seating choices!

Auditions for Jesus Christ Superstar February 21 and 22, 2020 For ages 17 and older Jesus Christ Superstar - The 1970’s rock opera with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice is based on the Gospel’s last week of Jesus’s life. FCT's production will be directed by Matt Moore and produced by Mary Beth Balint. Auditions for ages 17 and older for Fauquier Community Theatre’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar will take place on Friday, February 21 at 7 pm and Saturday, February 22 at 11 am and 2 pm. The casting call will take place at the John Barton Payne building located at 2 Courthouse Square, Warrenton. Pre-registration for auditions is required. For more information and the link to register for an audition, click HERE . For planning purposes, please note that callbacks will be held by invitation only on Thursday, February 27 at 7 pm in Warrenton. Performances of Jesus Christ Superstar will take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from May 1 to May 17. Tickets for reserved seating are available now at www.FCTstage.org . The production is sponsored by Brookside Neighbors.

FCT's Disney's Frozen, JR. Auditions Filling Up Quickly!

 Auditions for FCT's production of Disney's Frozen, JR. February 28 and 29 For ages 7 to 18

Auditions FCT's Disney’s Frozen, JR. Fauquier Community Theatre has chosen Disney’s Frozen, JR. as their annual youth production for a cast of ages 7 to 18 (age as of July 1, 2020.) Auditions for the enchanting musical are on Friday, February 28 from 6 pm to 9 pm. and on Saturday, February 29 between 9 am and noon, and also 1:30 pm to 4 pm. Registration is required and includes choosing a specific audition time slot. Auditions will take place at St. James Episcopal Church located at 73 Culpeper Street, Warrenton. Please note that callbacks will be by invitation only and will take place on Sunday, March 1 between 2 pm and 5 pm. Director Katy Benko Miner says, "Almost 70 kids are already registered to audition! All slots on Friday, February 28 are full, and only a limited number of slots are still available for Saturday, February 29. If you know someone who has been thinking about auditioning, now is the time to register before all of the slots are full! We’ve got a great team in place - it’s going to be a(n icy) blast!" The production is based on the 2018 Broadway musical about Elsa and Anna at three different ages, as they experience the magical land of Arendelle. Other favorites include Sven and Olaf, of course, and the musical includes the songs from the animated film plus five new ones. Pre-registration is required. Click HERE for more information and the link to register for an audition as well as to choose a time slot. Auditions will take place at St. James Episcopal Church located at 73 Culpeper Street, Warrenton. Please note that callbacks will be by invitation only and will be held on Sunday March 1 between 2 pm and 5 pm. Please do not call the church for any information as they are simply the venue for auditions. For additional information email Frozen@FCTstage.org. Disney's Frozen, JR. is produced by Jeanmarie Copeland and through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. Performances will take place between June 12 and June 27 at the Vint Hill Theater on the Greeen located at 4225 Aiken Drive, Warrenton. Tickets are $13 for students and seniors, and $15 for adults. Reserve your tickets online today for your favorite seating preferences at www.FCTstage.org, or by emailing tickets@FCTstage.org, or by calling 540-349-8760.

FCT One-Week Take Center Stage! Summer Showcase Camp for ages 8 to 13 July 6 - July 10, 2020 Take Center Stage! FCT Showcase Camp, directed by Katy Benko Miner is for ages 8 to13. The performing arts camp will take place from July 6 to July 10 from 9:30 am - 2 pm at the Vint Hill Theatre on the Green located at 4225 Aiken Drive, Warrenton, Virginia. This one-week fun and educational camp is designed to showcase the talents of young performers. Camp will consist of singing, dancing, and acting. All registrations will be accepted and each camper will be "showcased" in songs, scenes and roles. Registration is first come, first served, space is limited so please submit promptly. For more information and the link to register for Take Center Stage! click TAKE CENTER STAGE SUMMER CAMP

FCT Summer Theatre Two-Week Musical Camp  The Addams Family Young@Part for ages 11 to 18 July 20 - 31, 2020 Summer Theatre Camp at Fauquier Community Theatre is two weeks long and this year will result in youth ages 11 to 18 producing the musical The Addams Family Young@Part. The favorite characters created by American cartoonist Charles Addams in 1938, best known from the 1964 television show The Addams Family are back, including Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, Pugsley, and Lurch in this fun wacky musical. The difference is now Wednesday is grown up and is at the center of this musical comedy as she begins dating a boy from a more traditional family than hers. The musical is directed by Elizabeth Nefferdorf. For more information and to register, click ADDAMS FAMILY SUMMER CAMP . Space is limited and early registration is suggested. The Addams Family summer camp will take place July 20 through July 31: Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Performances will be presented on Friday July 31 and Saturday, August 1. Summer camp and shows will take place at the Vint Hill Theatre on the Green located at 4225 Aiken Drive, Warrenton.

Fauquier Community Theatre Scholarship Applications Due April 1, 2020 Fauquier Community Theatre invites college-bound high school seniors with demonstrated abilities in the performing arts to apply for scholarships. The scholarship application is due no later than April 1, 2020, however submitting prior to the deadline is recommended. The scholarships range from $500 to $2500 and are for local high school seniors who desire to pursue further education in the theatre arts. With the help of these scholarships, young aspiring actors, actresses, musicians, and theatre technicians are aided in deferring the cost of higher education as they seek to acquire further training. All applications are reviewed by a committee and will be scored using a rubric system. Not all applicants will be awarded a scholarship. Last year there were four Fauquier Community Theatre Performing Arts Scholarship recipients. For additional information including to access the online scholarship application, click on FCT SCHOLARSHIPS.

SET CONSTRUCTION ITEMS SOUGHT FOR STORAGE OF HARDWARE AND TOOLS

Fauquier Community Theatre is seeking hardware or tool storage items to be donated for set construction. Please contact info@FCTstage.org or call 540-349-8760 for more information. Thank you.

FAUQUIER COMMUNITY THEATRE www.FCTstage.org 4225 Aiken Dr Warrenton, VA 20187 | 540-349-8760

FCT enriches and entertains a range of audiences through a variety of live theatre productions that enhance the cultural life of the community.  FCT offers a range of challenging creative opportunities that inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in theatre.  FCT cultivates an appreciation of the performing arts in our community, educates through experience, participates in community activities, and collaborates with other arts groups. Many thanks to all the business sponsors, individual donors, members, and volunteers who work together to support community theater at Fauquier Community Theatre.    Fauquier Community Theater is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization   and is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts  and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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