After spending the 2016-2017 academic year being immersed in their craft, what do two East Stroudsburg University theatre majors do during their summer vacation?\u00a0The answer, of course, is more theatre.<\/p>\n
John Lauri, a senior from Long Pond, Pa. with a concentration in directing, and Joshua Weidenbaum, a sophomore from Saylorsburg, Pa. with a concentration in musical theatre, are interning with the Pocono Mountains Theater Company (PMTC).<\/p>\n
Both students will be filling key positions and working with New York City professionals, Laura Spaeth (playwright, actor, and comedian); Darlene Violette (director, actor, and writer); and Brian Long (PCMT Artistic Director, producer, and artist manger) to bring PMTC\u2019s first, fully staged production, Barely Standing…My Life in Trouble<\/em> to the Pocono Mountains community.<\/p>\n The one-person comedy, written and performed by Spaeth, is a funny, brutally honest play about uncovering the secrets needed to heal from a marriage-gone-wrong by embarking on her own\u00a0 Eat, Pray,<\/em> Love<\/em> journey through New Jersey, Brooklyn and Queens.<\/p>\n Weidenbaum, who will be designing sound for Barely Standing…<\/em> said that he \u201cabsolutely cannot wait to breathe life through sound into such a hilarious and heartfelt original script,: adding that he was \u201cthrilled to work with such a talented, professional, and inspiring team as the people I have met through this experience.\u201d<\/p>\n During the last academic year, Weidenbaum was sound designer for The 39 Steps<\/em>, assistant sound designer for Anon(ymous)<\/em>, played lead roles in Our Town<\/em> and Little Shop of Horrors <\/em>and was a scene shop assistant for the Theatre Department.<\/p>\n Lauri will be stage manager for Barely Standing<\/em>…, capping a year where he directed and was scenic designer for Anon(ymous)<\/em>; played lead roles in Our Town a<\/em>nd The 39 Steps<\/em>; served as assistant stage manager for Little Shop of Horrors <\/em>and was a large-section class assistant for the Theatre Department.<\/p>\n East Stroudsburg University\u2019s Theatre Department has been partnering with PMTC since 2016 to present public play readings of contemporary American dramas by up-and-coming playwrights featuring professional actors from New York City.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are pleased to have John and Joshua employed on this show,\u201d said PMTC Artistic Director Brian Long. \u201cThey have brought their outstanding talents and attitude to the production.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cESU\u2019s Theatre Department is delighted to have the Pocono Mountain Theatre Company as part of the local arts community\u201d noted Margaret Ball, D.M.A., department chair. \u201cWe are grateful that partnership is providing excellent, co-curricular experience for our majors.\u201d<\/p>\n Barely Standing\u2026My Life in Trouble <\/em>will be performed Thursday, June 15 at 7 p.m., Friday, June 16 at 8 p.m., Saturday, June 17 at 5 p.m., and Saturday, June 17 at 8 p.m. at the Dale Snow Theatre of East Stroudsburg University\u2019s Fine & Performing Arts Center, Normal and Marguerite streets, East Stroudsburg. The production is recommended for ages 17 and above.<\/p>\n Tickets are $15 for the June 15-16, and the June 17, 5 p.m. performance.\u00a0The June 17 performance at 8 p.m. will be a VIP presentation with all attendees invited to a post-show reception.\u00a0 Tickets for this performance are $20.<\/p>\n