From the shores of Red Rock Park to the treetops of Lynn Woods Reservation, city spaces will become a stage.
Arts After Hours, a theater company in downtown Lynn, will bring Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” to the open air.
Unlike a regular showing that includes lighting and auditorium- style seating, Red Rock and Lynn Woods will be the venue, using some of the most famous landmarks in the city for Shakespeare in the park.
Abby Knipp, who will play the role of the only female character, Miranda, said the production tests the audience’s comfort zone, as well as hers as an actress.
“With outdoor shows we as actors come in and invade the space,” she said. “It brings a sense of community, allows strangers to check out, listen and be transported in the comfort of not being in a theater.”
This all happens by taking acting away from the theater, Knipp said.
Still, she said there are challenges acting outdoors such as imagining a public space as a stage, and the distraction of a wailing ambulance siren.
The 23-year-old Boston University graduate said Red Rock is fitting for the showing since performance begins with a shipwreck at sea.
The audience isn’t going to be stationary, instead, they will move as the show jumps to different places of the park or woods, according to Thomas Martin, artistic director.
“This show will utilize the whole space where the audience physically travels,” he said. “That is the biggest difference between a stationary production in a theater.”
Bo Krucik, 21, a fellow graduate of Boston University who will play Ariel, agrees outdoor acting can test the actors.
“Certainly there are things as part of the environment which aren’t as friendly, like insects,” he said. “The nature of nature is somewhat uncontrollable and does its own things. Live theater is just the way it has to be and the way it turns out is the way it turns out.”
Managing the outdoor space means actors have to release a bit of the chaos which comes with all live performances, he said.
Most importantly, Krucik said the recipe for success is with commitment.
“A lot of it comes from commitment,” he said. “You need to commit that much more to the given circumstances so things don’t distract you.”
Arts After Hours, the theatre company in downtown Lynn, will feature six performances from July 30 through August 13.
July 30th at Red Rock Park at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and August 5th, and 6th at 4 p.m. at Lynn Woods and August 12th and 13th at the same location at 4 p.m.
While performances are free, Arts After Hours accepts donations to support their programs.
Anyone interested in attending the show can reserve a seat online.
