Trinity Opens its Doors and Performance Spaces to All

The happening on August 17, at 201 Washington Street in Providence, is a celebration, an anniversary, a Free-For-All, a … BLOCK PARTY! Starting at noon, Trinity Repertory Theater, often viewed as the professional, perhaps a tad stodgy, theater at the center of town, is getting down and partying with everyone and anyone.

It is Trinity Rep’s 50^th Anniversary, and they want everyone to enjoy the occasion. The theater has not only survived change and challenges, but thrived amidst the broader family of theaters and artists growing in the Ocean State. On Saturday, from noon to 8 pm, Trinity will throw open its performance spaces both inside and outside to other theaters and artists throughout the state, as well as to the public. The entire event is free.

Lenny Schwartz’s Daydream Theatre Company kicks it off at 12:30 pm with a short play written exclusively for the occasion, The Nights We Spent. Says Schwartz, “Daydream and I are excited and honored to be kicking off the events that day in the Chace Theater. And it’s really exciting to have so many artists together in one block. And my play is family-friendly!”

What to do while waiting for a performance to begin? Take a tour of the building, learn backstage secrets, take an acting workshop, see a demo, mingle with the resident actors, buy a prop or costume or hit the food trucks! There’s also live music scheduled through the afternoon and evening.

Other companies represented will be the Barker Players, Contemporary Theater, Elemental Theater, Epic Theater, the Gamm Theater, Manton Avenue Project, Mixed Magic Theater, Ocean State Theater, Community Players, Wilbury Theater Group, and Trinity’s Young Actors’ Studio Group. Trinity’s Young Actors’ Group, which enjoyed its largest enrollment ever this summer, will present Fifty Years in Five Minutes.

Myah Shein, PR manager for Trinity, says, “This is also about reaching out and making those connections with other theaters, as well as the community.” Of course this event also celebrates the kick-off of the 50^th Anniversary Season of plays at Trinity. Their Box Office will offer special pre-sale discounts of 10% off Oliver!, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and many of the other great plays in the 50^th season.

“To say that I am thrilled to be inviting Rhode Island to join us in celebrating Trinity’s 50^th Anniversary Season is an understatement,” says Curt Columbus, artistic director. “This season has a strong, theatrical heartbeat.” Excerpts from some of the productions will be presented on Saturday. The full season starts in September with John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, the quintessential American story of the strength of family and the enduring human spirit.

Together, general manager Katie Byrnes and associate artistic director Tyler Dobrowsky shouldered the huge task of bringing the celebration to fruition. Says Brynes, “Whether you are a long-time Trinity Rep enthusiast, have kids in the education program, take in a show every now and then, or are new to town, we want you to join us (on Saturday).”

This is truly a special occasion when one well-established theater company openly invites other theater companies, new and old, to create a real-time event. Don’t miss this one-time-only party for residents and visitors alike in Rhode Island. For more information and a schedule, visit Trinity’s website at www.trinityrep.com or visit Trinity Rep’s Facebook page.