Lost Nation Theater presents a staged reading of the new play ‘ANNIE OAKLEY” –Live! In-Person! On Stage!
And also Live Streamed: Sat & Sun October 2 & 3!

 

Ever wonder how a play goes from page to stage? Well, here’s your chance to be part of the process of developing a show “from scratch” when Lost Nation Theater offers a staged-reading of Jeanne Beckwith’s Annie Oakley written especially for actor Maura O’Brien!

 

Lost Nation Theater is flying high because for the first time in 19 months, we can have a live-in-person-audience in the theater with a live performer! “Annie Oakley” - a new play commissioned by LNT - is onstage Saturday Oct 2nd at 7pm and Sunday, Oct 3rd  at 2pm. (It will also be live-streamed and then available “On-Demand”.)

Covid Restrictions and Safety Protocols will be in place – but we can be together!
Seating is limited; Masks must be properly worn at all times; Proof of full vaccination is required for admittance.  
If you aren’t ready to gather inside yet, you’ll still feel like you are there in the theater via the live-stream!

 

LNT has spent much of the pandemic helping to develop new work. But we commissioned one of our favorite Vermont playwrights to write this solo play especially for one of the company’s favorite actors, Maura O’Brien.  
She says:

"When Kim and Kathleen raised the possibility of Jeannie Beckwith writing a one-woman show for me, how could I not be humbled and excited!  It has been such a treat collaborating with them on this project and bringing to life the complex and amazing story of Annie Oakley.

The development phase is nearing a year, but we somehow homed-in on Annie Oakley quickly.  An outspoken, ridiculously talented, before-her-time woman, who found success on the 'stage.' But despite her fame, most people don't really know the real story of Annie Oakley. She is the epitome of surviving and thriving. Her story is fascinating. It’s a terrific role for Maura as she and Annie share a strong spirit and a natural gift for connecting with an audience.

Longtime LNT collaborator & AEA Actor Maura O’Brien has performed several of Jeanne Beckwith’s plays, including Love Letters Made Easy – which LNT brought back for ‘digital’ theater last February. Now, we get to create another Jeanne Beckwith play live! In the theater in front of a (small, but live) audience!

 

Lost Nation Theater’s Artistic Directors Kim Allen Bent and Kathleen Keenan lead the staged reading and the show’s development process.
Lighting is provided by SJB Lighting Design, and costuming & scenic elements will be employed.

 

Bent (also an award-winning playwright) offers this:

“Collaborating with Jeanne on this Annie Oakley project has been pure creative joy! The facts of Annie’s real life are so much more fascinating and compelling than any of the popular stories and myths that she inspired. It feels incredibly satisfying to, in some small way, help her "set the record straight”!

 

Playwright Jeanne Beckwith is really anxious for the audience’s response. She worries:

   “Am I doing justice to an historical figure who just keeps surprising me; and about whom there is so much conflicting information? 
   Is what’s at stake, compelling enough?”

After the work-in-progress sharing, please stay with us (in person or online!) to participate in the discussion with the writer, the director, and actor.
Help answer Jeanne’s questions! We want all your feedback!  Help shape the final script before the show goes into full production as part of Lost Nation Theater’s 2022 Mainstage Season!

 

Join Us! In Person. Live! Saturday Oct 2nd at 7pm; Sunday Oct 3rd at 2pm.  
Advance Reservation Only. (No Walk Ins)
Join Us Online: Sun Oct 3rd at 2pm;- then on demand through 11:59pm October 11th.
You must register ahead to get the link to the event or its recording.

Tickets are Pay What You Can
Available OnLine
or by phone Tu-Fri, 11am-3pm (802-229-0492).  

The best way to reach us is via web or email: info@lostnationtheater.org

 

Lost Nation Theater: 2020 “Theater of the Decade” - Broadway World, 2014 winner “Best in New England”- Yankee Magazine, and named One of the Best Regional Theaters in America by NYC Drama League.

Sponsored by Capitol Copy, City of Montpelier, Eternity, National Life Group, Vermont Mutual Insurance and The World. Additional funding from The Mary Shriver Memorial Fund of the Alan Weiss Estate, The Estate of Ted Richards, and Montpelier Community Fund.