The Ins and Outs of Peninsula Players

(Left to right) actors Erin Noel Grennan, Sean Fortunato and Joe Foust perform as brothers and sister, catching up in Peninsula Players’ show “Making God Laugh.”

This season, the Peninsula Players will offer public tours of its stage house and all-weather audience pavilion, as well as a series of free public seminars.

“Patrons have the rare opportunity to go backstage and glimpse into the life of an actor by visiting the dressing rooms and sets of the Players 2011 shows,” said Audra Baakari Boyle, business manager of the Peninsula Players. “In addition to learning the history of Peninsula Players, guests may view and walk onto the set. Being on stage is a very different experience than seeing a show from a seat in the audience.”

Free backstage tours will begin at 2 pm on Sundays, June 26, July 10, July 31, Aug. 7, Aug. 21, Sept. 18, Sept. 25 and Oct. 2.

Peninsula Players actor Neil Friedman will kick off the theater’s popular series of free public seminars beginning June 25. Friedman will lead a discussion with other company members on working on a new comedy script, as they have done with the Players’ current play, Making God Laugh.

All seminars will be held from 2:30 – 4 pm on Saturdays. The seminars are free, though they require advance reservations. Subsequent seminars will include a discussion and demonstration of the comic appeal of playwright Oscar Wilde with Lawrence University Professor and Theatre Arts Chair Timothy X. Troy on July 16 and an exploration of military justice as it relates to A Few Good Men on August 6, with a former JAG officer and members of the company. Announcements will be made about the remaining topics later in the summer.

Space is limited for the both the backstage tours and the seminars. For more information or to make a reservation call the box office at 920.868.3287.

Advance tickets and season tickets for the Peninsula Players’ shows are available by calling the box office or visiting http://www.peninsulaplayers.com.