MERIDIAN —
Stage 2, the local intensive theatre training group for young adults ages 13-19, has had a whirlwind existence since its birth in March of 2010.
In two short years, the group has staged productions of “Les Miserables,” Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” Dinner Theatre and “Guys & Dolls” while maintaining weekly training sessions and participating in numerous outreach partnerships with other non-profit agencies and schools.
After receiving requests for the group to expand its offerings to both younger and older members of the community, Meridian Performing Arts Center (MPAC) was formed as an umbrella for the original group and now includes divisions for children and the community.
A Festival of Plays has been scheduled for the last two weekends in June. Board president Kris Gianakos is enthusiastic about the project, which will take place at The Temple Theater.
"Our summer workshop has been an expanded, two-week Be A Star Camp where the plays ‘Stone Soup’ and ‘Robin Hood’ will be presented this Saturday at 11 a.m. as part of the festival kick-off along with Stage 2’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies."
"A Midsummer Night's Dream will be staged Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and a Sunday matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The weekend of June 29-July 1 offers the Festival’s Grand Finale with the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical "The Secret Garden," based on the beloved 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The musical, featuring numbers such as "Lily’s Eyes," "Wick," "A Bit of Earth," and "Hold On," will be staged on The Temple Theater’s main stage.
Directors include Susie Johnson (artistic), Sarah Benton (stage), Apryl Sharp, Benjamin Johnson and Matt McMurrin (music), Caroline Carns (choreography), Holly Triplett (design) and Michelle Pasha (wardrobe).
The Festival of Plays is sponsored by The Phil Hardin Foundation, Community Foundation of East Mississippi, MPAC, The Temple Theater and Meridian Council for the Arts.
Want to Go?
Tickets for "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Secret Garden" are $15 for adults and $10 for students of any age. They may be purchased at The Temple Theater Ballroom; on Facebook (Stage 2-“Events”); or by contacting Susie Johnson, susiesmj@comcast.net or (601) 604-2129. Tickets may also be purchased from any Stage 2 members.
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