ANNA MARIA – It’s been a historic year for the Island Players. The theater troupe has sold out every performance of their first three plays of the 75th season, a first for Manatee County’s oldest community theater. They hope this trend will continue as preparations begin for the fourth play of the season.
Nails are being hammered and scripts are being rehearsed as the set is under construction and the cast is learning their lines for “Communicating Doors” by Alan Ayckbourn. The play, directed by Players veteran director Preston Boyd, runs from March 7-24.
Jennifer Kwiatkowski (Jessica) and Rick Kopp (Harold) return to the stage after appearing in the season opener, “Farce of Nature.” Joseph Smith, who appeared in this season’s “Later Life,” is back in the role of Julian. The role of Reece is played by Dan Coppinger, who appeared in “The Mousetrap.” New to the Players stage are Kathi Faulkner (Ruella) and Morgan Powis (Phoebe aka Poopay). The two newcomers bring their own special experience in theater to the Island stage. Faulkner has appeared in several area theaters, including Venice and Lemon Bay, and Powis holds a BA in Theater Arts from Flagler College.
In addition to preparing for the next play, the Island Players are once again offering a scholarship of $2,000 each to four graduating seniors in the Manatee County School District who have demonstrated excellence in art, dance or theater who plan to continue to develop these talents at a higher level of education. Anyone interested should download the application form from www.theislandplayers.com. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 15.
Email questions to scholarshipcommittee@theislandplayers.org.
