Posted: Friday, August 15, 2008 12:00 am
FORT LARAMIE: 'Moonlight Tour' and living history
Fort Laramie National Historic Site will come alive this weekend as park staff and volunteers present living history programs, historic camps and a "Moonlight Tour" of the fort. Traditionally one of the fort's most popular summer activities, the event will offer living history camps, historic weapons demonstrations and formal programs.
The annual "Moonlight Tour" will allow visitors to see many of the characters associated with the rich history of Fort Laramie. Marla Matkin will present her program, "Cherishing Our Historical Legacy," which invites participants to become an active participant in chronicling the American spirit. Through songs and true stories of those who forged a new life in the West, this presentation connects you to the past and the unique individuals who lived it. After a fifteen minute intermission, tour guides will take groups of visitors though a series of vignettes depicting life at the "old" post.
The park encourages visitors to bring a flashlight, mosquito repellant and a lawn chair or blanket to sit on for the first portion of the program.
* When: Events begin at 9:30 a.m. SATURDAY and continue through noon SUNDAY.
Formal programs start at 10 and 10:45 a.m. and 12:30, 2:45 and 4:30 p.m.
Living history camps and historic weapons demonstrations will be held throughout the day.
The "Moonlight Tour" will begin at 7 p.m. SATURDAY.
* Where: Fort Laramie National Historic Site near Guernsey
* Information: Call (307) 837-2221 or visit www.nps.gov/fola.
CASPER: Children's Theatre calls young actors
The Casper Children's Theatre still has spaces available in its fall class and performance for youth ages 12-15, "The Pirates of Penzance Junior." This hilarious farce spins tales about sentimental pirates, bumbling policemen, dim-witted young lovers, dewy-eyed daughters and an eccentric Major-General, all morally bound to the often ridiculous dictates of honor and duty.
Students will learn voice, acting, movement and production techniques for musical theater. No previous stage experience is necessary and all who register will be cast.
Class times are 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning TUESDAY through OCT. 9.
Performances are Oct. 10-13 and 17-19.
For more information or to enroll, call the children's theater at 473-8470 or e-mail cct@casperchildrenstheatre.com.
CASPER: Stage III benefit previews
Stage III community theater is now accepting applications for benefit previews. Deadline for applications is AUG. 31.
"These previews are our way of giving back to the community by providing fundraising opportunities for other nonprofit organizations," said Pat Greiner of the theater.
The night before each Stage III production opens to the public, the theater will perform the show as a fundraiser for a local nonprofit. Stage III provides the facility, performance and programs at no charge except the author's royalty (typically $50 to $70). The sponsoring group prints and sells tickets, does publicity, and provides people to sell tickets, hand out programs and set up refreshments. The group keeps all proceeds.
Benefit previews are on Thursday nights. Spots are still available for the last five shows of the Stage III season: "Madam's Been Murdered, Tea Will Be Late," Nov. 6; "Moonlight and Magnolias," Jan. 8; "Lewis Carroll: Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast," March 5; " Five Women Wearing the Same Dress," April 23; and "Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet)," June 11.
Applications should include group's purpose or mission, how funds will be used and whether a specific date is requested and why. Send application letters to Stage III, 900 N. Center Street, Casper, WY, 82601.
For more information, call 234-0946 or visit www.stageiiitheatre.org.