'We're excited': Theater Ensemble Arts plans August production at Lions Wilderness Park Amphitheater
Company will mount first live stage production since pandemic began
FARMINGTON — The easing of pandemic restrictions on public gatherings is allowing yet another performing arts group in Farmington to return from the sidelines.
Theater Ensemble Arts, the city's community theater company, is planning on delivering a production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Lions Wilderness Park Amphitheater later this summer. TEA president Joey Herring said the production is scheduled for Aug. 12-15 and Aug. 19-21.
"We're excited. We're ready to do it," Herring said. "We've got a lot of people excited about doing Shakespeare, and I understand there have been some renovations (at the amphitheater) that will make it safer."
While TEA has been unable to perform live stage shows since March 2020, the company has found other ways to keep its actors and crew members busy. It has performed two radio theater productions on KSJE-FM and has been working on an original film adaptation of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" called "The Tragedy of Macbeth" since last summer.
But Herring has said many times those projects were only a substitute for what TEA members really enjoy doing — bringing live theater to local residents. She said the company already has held auditions for the production and has begun rehearsals.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" will be directed by TEA veteran Brit Ward.
Each production will begin at 7 p.m., Herring said. Tickets are $12 for adults, and $10 for seniors and students, except for the Aug. 15 performance, which features free admission. Herring said the company received a grant from the Connie Gotsch Arts Foundation that covers the cost of that performance.
As for the company's plans after August, Herring said the TEA board is close to making some decisions. The company has been in limbo because of the pandemic, but also because its normal home, the Totah Theater in downtown Farmington, is being renovated this summer.
More:San Juan County Commission OKs $1M renovation contract for Totah Theater
The facility is owned by San Juan County, which is overseeing the renovation. But when the work is complete, plans call for ownership to be transferred to the City of Farmington, with Farmington Civic Center supervisor Randy West taking over the venue's management.
Herring said she has spoken to West about TEA continuing to use the theater when the city takes it over, but no decisions have been made.
She noted that her company's season typically does not begin until February, so she and the other board members have plenty of time to work something out.
But she said TEA may return to action with a special production before then, if circumstances allow for that.
"We're talking about doing something at Christmas," she said. "But that depends on the availability of space and the cost."
Mike Easterling can be reached at 505-564-4610 or measterling@daily-times.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription.