Green Thumb Theatre and BC Summer Reading Club are kicking off their first partnership starting today.
Misadventure at the Lighthouse is an original script, written by celebrated writers Michele Riml and Michael St. John Smith, has been created especially for BC Summer Reading Club participants, and the program’s 2021 mystery theme: ‘Crack the Case!’.
The script, available at no charge online, will have the original ending excluded, allowing young people to decide how they would finish the story and crack the case. The project invites participants to work solo or team up with friends and family to write an ending, and also create visual art based on the story.
The script’s original ending, along with a few selected submissions, will be featured at a live online play reading event. Directed by Ming Hudson, the reading will feature 12 professional actors who have been on stage with Green Thumb Theatre, The Arts Club, Bard on the Beach, and Stratford Festival, and have also appeared in a host of internationally broadcast TV shows, films, and animations.
The play reading is free to attend and will take place on August 18 at 2PM PDT, on the BC Summer Reading Club YouTube page.
This is a new endeavour for Green Thumb Theatre — a not-for-profit that has been touring professional live theatre to schools and venues in BC, Canada, and internationally, since 1975, giving many of us our first taste of live theatre. The theatre hopes that this project will create an accessible way for young people across the province to creatively and collaboratively engage with theatre and storytelling.
“During this time, the live-arts industry is hurting so much, and our ability to deliver high calibre theatrical experiences to youth has been hampered” said Green Thumb Theatre Artistic Director, Rachel Aberle. “So, it is an immense pleasure and privilege to be able to connect with such extremely talented artists and create something fun and interactive for young people all across BC to enjoy and take part in.”
“This is an important opportunity for the BC Summer Reading Club to partner with Green Thumb Theatre” adds Chris Middlemass, BC Library Association President. “Together we will deliver unique and interactive programming for kids across the province. It’s a privilege to be part of such innovative programming.”
Misadventure at the Lighthouse, which takes place on an unnamed gulf island, follows competitive Annie who is determined to win this year’s Annual Island Scavenger Hunt with her best friend, Kim. Annie’s plans go awry when she has to host her cousin from the city and her younger brother Stevie and his faithful dog Rooster are suddenly nowhere to be found! After meeting a collection of eccentric characters around the island, a puzzling disappearance occurs, and it’s up to Annie and her friends to solve the mystery and save the day. Misadventure at the Lighthouse is recommended for readers ages 8 and up.
Registration for BC Summer Reading Club is now open, and the program begins today, June 28. Full details and submission deadlines can be found by visiting bcsrc.ca/greenthumb or your local library.