For nearly two decades, Heartwood Theater and Lincoln Academy (LA) have collaborated on annual youth productions.  This fall, under the direction of Griff Braley, students have undertaken two One Act projects: “The Most Dangerous Game,” a filmed production which opened last weekend and remains available for online viewing via LA and Heartwood’s websites, and “The Tailor,” a short Yiddish comedy, with online viewing for two nights only, this weekend Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21.

Pre-registration links for the Zoom performances are available on LA and Heartwood Theater’s websites.

“The Tailor,” by Claudia Hass, is the delightful story of a newlywed tailor, struggling to provide for his family, by adapting an old overcoat into new creations.  The play stitches together 20 years of his life, providing insights and humor on marriage, raising children and a life well-lived.  Audiences familiar with the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” will see similarities of style, period and family dynamics, in this fast-paced piece.

The 35-minute play will be presented in a live, standing reading format at 7:30 p.m. The five person LA cast will be capture by three cameras as they interact: Olivia Hardina, Ben Schwink, Benno Hennig, Honora Boothby and Harrison Pierpan.  Annalise Garnett assists Tech Director Ryan Kohnert with cameras, sound and staging. “The Tailor” is produced and live-streamed by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.

Last weekend, online audiences began viewing “The Most Dangerous Game,” a short story classic by Richard Connell, still being taught in classrooms (including Bryan Manahan’s freshman English class at LA, this fall).  Viewing will remain available via Lincoln Academy and Heartwood’s websites. This first filmed production set Braley, Heartwood’s Tech Director, Ryan Kohnert, and student tech interns on a steep learning curve throughout the fall, as they grappled with live-streaming, new cameras, film lighting, greenscreen and chroma technology, and learning to shoot, perform and record with multiple cameras. By combining resources, LA and Heartwood plan to continue livestreaming through the 20 -21 season.

Despite numerous 2020 challenges in play, student actors found themselves challenged and engaged, delving into the filming genre.  “I’m very proud of those who pushed through, to complete these two projects,” noted Braley. “With challenges across the board, personal, academic and community wide, we feel blessed to have the opportunity to finish this process.

Questions? Contact the company at info@heartwoodtheater.org. Community support continues to be very generous toward Heartwood and the performing arts.  The following businesses played an integral role in these fall drama opportunities: Bath Savings Institution (Season Sponsor), Damariscotta Hardware (Youth Sponsor), First National Bank (Education Sponsor), Colby & Gale and Chesterfield Associates (One Act Series Sponsors) and HM Payson (Online Streaming Sponsor).