King Arthur, a new singing troupe, and a colorful cast of actors and directors helped reveal Olympic Theatre Arts’ 2024 season during a showcase on Oct. 8.
The Main Stage audience was filled with eager supporters who clapped, cheered and laughed for the wide scope of shows and events.
Among the crowd pleasing announcements included executive director David Herbelin sharing that this year’s Member’s Choice play selection was so close they chose both: “Steel Magnolias” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
Next year also includes “Monty Python’s Spamalot” as the theater group’s annual musical in late May-June. Kyle LeMaire, playing King Arthur, sang “I’m All Alone” with help from Morgan Bartholick, as Patsy the squire, and the new OTA Singers group.
The season preview was the new group’s debut with Morgan Bartholick leading the group open to anyone. More information about the group can be found at olympictheatrearts.org/workshops, and interested singers can email to office@olympictheatrearts.org.
Organizers said The OTA Singers will help promote OTA shows, provide pre-show entertainment for upcoming shows, and tentatively begin touring the community to perform.
“The Last Romance” will open OTA’s new season in February. It focuses on relationships for people in their golden years, organizers said.
The annual melodrama “Lavender Lawlessness” returns with a new cast in July, said director Matt Forrest. He hopes to make the show become synonymous with Sequim Lavender Weekend. A director is still needed for OTA’s third rendition of “Night of the Living Dead” in October 2024; the 2022 show followed the 1968 movie while this year’s show is updated to sync with the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Most announcements included a scene and/or commentary about why the play was chosen or the direction it’ll be taking.
Shows will alternate throughout the season between the Main Stage and Gathering Hall to provide more audition times in their respective spaces, organizers said.
Herbelin said they anticipate more collaboration this season with other peninsula theater groups, and they have a new sound system, and a 14-foot-by-24-foot wide projection screen.
OTA is partnering with the Juan de Fuca Foundation for the Arts and Ghostlight Productions to have screenings of National Theatre Live Productions (ntlive.com) through at least the middle of next year.
Organizers also hope to screen classic movies, sing-along events and more in the future on the big screen.
The preview event also honored the directors and production team members for this year’s shows.
More information on each event and play will be made available once closer to each event.
Season ticket packages with discounts will be available through the middle of 2024, but organizers recommend purchasing soon for the best seats.
For more information about Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave., email office@olympictheatrearts.org, call 360-683-7326, or visit olympictheatrearts.org.
OTA’s 2024 shows
• “The Last Romance” directed by Cathy Dodd, Feb. 9-25, Gathering Hall,
• “Steel Magnolias” directed by Tim Thorn, March 8-24, Main Stage,
• “The Man with the Plastic Sandwich,” directed by Pat Owens, April 26-May 12, Gathering Hall,
• “Monty Python’s Spamalot” directed by David Herbelin, May 31-June 16, Main Stage,
• “Lavender Lawlessness,” directed by Matt Forrest, July 5-21, Main Stage,
• “The Secret Garden,” directed by Marissa Meek, Aug. 9-18, Main Stage
• “The Importance of Being Earnest” directed by Ron Graham, Sept. 13-29, Gathering Hall.
• “Night of the Living Dead,” director needed, Oct. 18-27, Main Stage,
• “New Works Showcase,” with eight shows, Nov. 14-24, Gathering Hall,
• “PA Panto,” British style theater with Pacific Northwest flair, Dec. 6-15, Gathering Hall
• “The Rented Christmas,” directed by Christy Holy, Dec. 19-22
• New Year’s Eve show, 9 p.m. event with more information to come.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ The OTA Players make their debut on Oct. 8 during the 2024 season preview at Olympic Theatre Arts. Organizers said the group will help promote OTA shows, provide pre-show entertainment for upcoming shows, and tentatively begin touring the community to perform.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Kyle LeMaire, playing King Arthur, on right, sings “I’m All Alone” with help from Morgan Bartholick, as Patsy the squire, during the Oct. 8 preview for Olympic Theatre Arts’ 2024 season.
