'Grease,' 'Peter Pan,' 'Odd Couple' local summer theater productions

This years ramped up summer theater will present “Peter Pan”, “Grease” and the female version of “The Odd Couple” in Becker Auditorium at Bonners Ferry High School.

High School Drama teacher David Carpenter,  will volunteer to oversee  the productions.

Auditions for “Peter Pan” will begin in May after school hours.  Sudents in second grades and up can audition as the roles are directed toward middle school and younger.

“Grease” and “The Odd Couple” are directed more toward the high school age group.  BFHS teacher  Mrs. Melanie Schreiner will help with choreography for “Grease”.

  According to Carpenter, there were 25 students involved in the production last summer.  He is hoping for 50 or more this year.

“The community was so supportive last year when we put on Pirates of Penzance, that we added to this summer’s productions,” said Carpenter.

“We will need musicians, help with sets, props, painting, clothing for costumes, furniture donation’s for sets, fundraising, and even people interested in directing can volunteer.”

 “No experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn,” he continued.  “I try to teach them the real world of theater, and we have an amazing facility to do it in.”

Carpenter said he is trying to build the concept of community, and anyone interested is encouraged to come out and help.

 School officials have allowed Carpenter the use of the facility for the productions this summer.  Proceeds raised for the performances will go to enhancing the auditorium.  Last summer’s production helped pay for head-set microphones.

A spaghetti feed will be held in late May to benefit the summer program for buying the rights to do the productions.

A pie and dessert auction will be held and will need volunteers to make items.

“Royalties for a musical can cost between $1,000 to $2,000, which have to be paid in order to do  musicals,” said Carpenter.

All proceeds from the three productions will go to building a storage area for set pieces, flats and costumes, and more lighting instruments. 

For information, call Carpenter at 267-3149 or 267-7051.