Friday and Saturday, July 30th through 31st, Traveling Players Ensemble returns to Lime Kiln with Shakespeare's Love's Labours Lost. Written in the 1590s, the play tells the story of how the King of Navarre and three noble companions take an oath to devote themselves to three years of study, promising not to "give in" to the company of women. However, a princess and her three ladies come to the kingdom, and the King and his men comically fall in love in spite of their oath.
Named a "Summer School in the Arts" by the National Endowment for the Arts, TPE is youth theatre summer training camp near Washington, DC, where the students learn about acting classics in outdoor settings. The advanced students then tour Virginia and West Virginia in July and August and perform in outdoor theatre settings.
TPE's Producing Artistic Director JeAnne Harrison founded the troupe in 2003. In achieving its mission of "bringing great theatre to the great outdoors," Traveling Players Ensemble is guided by these beliefs:
an appreciation of nature. TPE strives to link theatrical work to nature by rehearsing and performing outdoors and by producing plays in which nature is a dominant theme;
an ensemble is an ideal structure in which to foster creativity and a sense of community. TPE's educational programs work intensively with small ensembles, thereby ensuring personalized attention and significant growth as an artist;
artistic creation is fundamental to forming one's identity, especially for teens in their unique and complex transition between childhood and adulthood.
Harrison says The Players really enjoyed their trip to Lexington last year, that "Lime Kiln is an ideal place for the company to perform. We had a great time! Lime Kiln is so beautiful, and Shakespeare is a perfect fit."
Lime Kiln Executive Director Renz hopes this kind of company will inspire area students to take up the call to create their own youth company. "With funding in the arts being cut from the schools more each year, we need to lead the initiative to fill the gap, with FAIR, the Universities and private help. I am very pleased we are working with so many area groups now, and I am confident this trend can grow."
Renz concluded, "In order to earn more support from our patrons, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the NEA and local businesses, we have to step forward as good partners, adding new, original programming and becoming the premier outdoor performance venue for this region. That takes a commitment from Lime Kiln to our friends, artists and the community."
For more information about performance times and tickets online, go to theateratlimekiln.com. Tickets are also on sale at the Lexington Visitors Center at 106 East Washington Street or by calling the Lime Kiln Office at 540-463-7088.
Upcoming Theater at Lime Kiln 2010 Performances
July 30-31 Love's Labours Lost Traveling Players Ensemble
Saturday, August 7 B. Smith Does Lee Smith Barbara Bates Smith
Saturday, August 27 CD Release Party Danny Knicely, Bert Carlson, Nate Leath and Aimee Curl
Sunday, August 29 The Seldom Scene Bluegrass Greats
Friday, September 3 A Night at the Keys Key West Band
Saturday, September 4 Bluegrass and BBQ Walker's Run & Borden Grant
Office: 540-473-7088
Website: theateratlimekiln.com
