SPRD brings live theatre with "Play On!"

Local thespians Lisa Fetrow and Angela Lund were hired by Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) to offer theatre arts in Sisters. After the drama departments were cut from the 2012/2013 school year, the friends wanted to provide an outlet for aspiring actors of all ages to enjoy and improve their craft.

Their efforts, with the support of SPRD, the Sisters School District, and funding from the Community Schools Foundation will come to fruition when "Play On!" debuts on February 28.

"We want the community to know how much fun live theatre can be both for the audience and for the actors," said program manager and producer, Angela Lund. "Sisters is such a thriving arts community, having live theatre again will add another dimension to the arts community."

Play On! will feature three adult and seven student actors. SPRD Community Theatre, in collaboration with the Sisters School District, received funding for the fall classes and the play from the Community Schools Foundation. Artistic Director Lisa Fetrow is excited to bring live theatre to Sisters.

"It's our intention to grow it into a self-sustaining entity," she said.

As the first performance date looms on the horizon, Fetrow and Lund are busy preparing for opening night.

"The students are having a great time with it; the adults are more stressed, but it always comes together," said Lund.

The play is about putting on a play and all the things that can - and do - go wrong.

"It's a good first play for us. A lot of the mishaps portrayed in the play really have occurred," said Fetrow.

The kids in the play have been in earlier productions through Sisters Middle School and High School. They were devastated when the drama classes were cut. According to Lund several of the students are planning on pursuing acting careers after graduation.

SPRD's Community Theatre will present "Play On!" February 28, then March 1 and 2; showtime is 7 p.m. The final performance is March 3, at 2 p.m. All shows are in the Sisters High School Auditorium. For more information call SPRD at 541-549-2091.