By Barbara Rowley EBS Contributor
BIG SKY – The final event of the three-session Big Sky Conservatory, the Big Sky Theater Workshop, opens July 26 and will conclude Saturday, Aug. 1 with the world premiere of a new play, “Levity.” Written by New York City’s Stephanie DiMaggio, “Levity” will be performed at 7 p.m. at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center.
Big Sky local Kristin Kern called her long-time friend DiMaggio last July with the idea. Dimaggio then recruited Tony Award-winning actor Michelle Pawk and her husband, Tony Award-nominee John Dossett to participate.
DiMaggio and Kern, who produced the workshop, reached out to more Broadway professionals throughout the fall. They convinced actor Lee Aaron Rosen and director Stella Powell-Jones to join the company, along with Fordham University and NYU/Lee Strasberg Institute faculty member Laura Savia, who will direct the inaugural Big Sky Theater Workshop student company.
The high-profile faculty and performers attracted interest in the workshop, and after auditions this spring, 10 students – eight from New York and two from Montana – were selected to participate.
As a result of Kern’s efforts, Big Sky residents have the opportunity to see award-winning Broadway professionals act on the WMPAC stage for a fraction of Broadway prices.
Aspiring actors and those with a casual interest in theater are welcome to attend a workshop and scene study on Aug. 1 at 11 a.m. Participation in the workshop is free.
