This post is from Bill Rotz, a TWS Active, volunteer, and set designer for the Theatre of Western Springs’ upcoming production of The Melville Boys which opens on Thursday, September 8.

Designing the set for The Melville Boys at TWS is akin to building the inside of a cabin on the lake.  I wanted the look and feel of the set help the actors and audience get into the mood of the play but not overwhelm the play’s action.  The difficult part of designing a set on our super-wide stage is that you have to make certain that the audience at the extreme right and left of the auditorium sees all of the action.  That’s why you won’t see the entire kitchen window if you sit on the extreme right side of the house.  You will, though, understand that there is a window there.  Similarly, you won’t be able to see into the bedroom and bathroom if you sit on the extreme left side of the auditorium, but you will understand that there is a bedroom and bathroom.  These line of sight considerations present similar challenges for nearly every play presented on the TWS stage.

On the fun side, though, how many chances do you get to use a deer head and a “stuffed” lake trout on a set?  Fortunately, I have two friends who generously loaned us these trophies.  We’ve also used planked paneling, a fireplace and duck decoys to dress the set and help make it look like a lake house we could picture in our mind.  The work of the set designer is enhanced by all the talented staff and active members at TWS.  Thad Hallstein, our technical director, and Cal Turner, the director, worked closely with me offering suggestions and solving design problems during the design process.

I hope you have a chance to see the play (and the set).  I’m sure you’ll like it.

For more information about The Melville Boys or to reserve tickets, visit our website at www.theatreofwesternsprings.com or call our box office at 708-246-3380.

What could possibly be new with an 83 year-old theatre? After all, we were founded way, way back in 1929–just three weeks after the stock market crash that marked the beginning of the Great Depression.

Well, it turns out that The Theatre of Western Springs is just getting started at the ripe, old age of 83, and our audiences are about to enjoy one of our best seasons yet. We have a great selection of shows (including The Melville Boys which opens September 8); our children’s theatre program is celebrating its 65th year of providing outstanding theatre education; and we are thrilled to welcome Rick Snyder as our new artistic director.

What else is new? Well, we’re getting the hang of this new-fangled social media thing, and that’s where this blog fits in. We want to let folks know about some of the stuff you wouldn’t hear about otherwise. It’s a way for us to let audiences get to know a little more about the ins and outs of TWS, the people that make things happen around here, and just what has made The Theatre of Western Springs a fixture in our community for all these years.

We may be 83 years-old, but we are going strong. Stay tuned for many more stories from the folks of TWS, and come on over and be a part of the art!

The Children’s Theatre of Western Springs is celebrating its 65th season of classes and family friendly shows with a terrific selection for students and audiences of all ages.

For students interested in taking a class, CTWS offers courses in a wide range of areas including acting, musical theatre, improv, masked performance, clowning, technical theatre and more. Tuition begins at only $395 for over 30 weeks of instruction. Classes begin the week of September 12th.

The Children’s Theatre of Western Springs’ season of shows is as exciting as its course selection. Things kick off with the High School Repertory Company’s production of “The Sparrow” running Nov. 11-20. That’s followed up with a perpetual audience favorite: “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” running Dec. 2-11. Spring takes audiences on a high seas adventure with the swashbuckling “Treasure Island” on March 2-11, and the CTWS season wraps up with an adaptation of the young adult novel “The Shakespeare Stealer” on May 10-12.

To learn more about the Children’s Theatre of Western Springs’ season and class offerings, visit www.theatreofwesternsprings.com or call 708-246-4043.

Reposted from the TribLocal

Two working class brothers, one a goof, the other more cerebral (with issues) meet at a lakeside cabin for a weekend of fishing and beer.

But those plans are upended when they run into two attractive sisters who unwittingly change their weekend– and their lives.

( Click here ) for tickets!

YEAR ‘ROUND CLASSES 

As of mid-August, we still have openings in several of our year-round classes. Click here to learn more!

Coming to the TWS Cattell Stage

July 29 & 30 at 7:30PM
July 30 & 31at 2:30 PM
_{Recommended for ages 12 & up}

This touching and satiric musical by Marvin Hamlisch and Howard Ashman — the creators of Little Shop of Horrors, A Chorus Line and They’re Playing Our Song —follows the intrigue and exploits onstage and behind the scenes as Santa Rosa, California plays host to the Young American Miss Pageant.

Rehearsed and staged in only three weeks’ time, SMILE is a true summer stock production which is all the more impressive considering the performers are all 18 years of age or younger.

Music by Marvin Hamlish
Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman
Directed by Tripp Burton
Musical Staging by Cyndy Soumar
Musical Direction by Jessica Collier

Tickets $15 each for all ages:
• Box Office: 708-246-3380 (if no answer, leave a message)
• Main Office: 708-246-4043 (weekdays 9-5 or leave a message)
• Online: click here.