Something New for the Freeport Stage

What would a small ensemble of talented, creative people with experience in theater come up with if they were given nothing but a single piece of furniture on an otherwise blank stage; short, tightly focused scripts; and a process that fosters collaboration?

Bedtime Stories (Paint Fumes Productions' inaugural project) ends with performances on a stage with nothing but a bed on it, but it begins with a team of directors, actors and designers coming together to discuss and explore how to bring out the themes, characters and nuances of the plays that they select. They collaborate on an artistic approach that will tie the pieces together. The plays are then rehearsed and the technical elements are developed independently, with the team meeting regularly to discuss their progress and reconnect with their collective artistic vision. In the final week before opening night, the plays and technical elements are merged to create the final presentation.

It's All About the Process

This production is truly an ensemble effort. The focus is on a process that favors collaboration, experimentation, learning and artistic exploration. We believe that as a result participants will experience artistic satisfaction exploring the material in collaboration with their colleagues, and audiences will be entertained by high-quality, thought-provoking performances.

Innovative Business Approach

For the first time, Freeport Community Players is partnering with another group to co-produce a show. Paint Fumes Productions, led by longtime Players producer Elizabeth Guffey, will develop the work for the stage, with Freeport Community Players providing resources to support the production. This innovative partnership helps the Players expand their season without diverting their attention from their core shows. In turn, the Players provide an opportunity for a new idea to reach the stage that might not otherwise have the resources to make it happen.

This is a pilot project for both groups. If the partnership is successful, this can serve as a model to foster creativity in a new way and move Freeport toward a critical mass of activity that will make it an arts and cultural destination.

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