TALES OF AIRN Cast Announced,
Original Work by Local Author
Tickets Now on Sale $6
A cast of 18 Northwest Florida State College theater scholarship students from across the region are in rehearsals for a Proscenium Playhouse production of an original fantasy ?Tales of Airn? to be presented on the mainstage of the Mattie Kelly Arts Center in Niceville on December 2 and 3 at 7:30 pm. There will also be a special matinee on December 3 at 10:00 a.m. for school groups and home school students. Tickets are just $6 each for adults and youth and are available now from the Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box office at 729-6000 or online at Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College: Mattie Kelly Arts Center. School groups should call729-6065.
The heartwarming fantasy for the kid in all of us is a must-see event for families, children and adults ages 8 and up. Inspired by the performance styles of such groups as Cirque du Soleil, ?Tales of Airn? is told through exceptional dance, music and narration. Covering the themes of love for family, loyalty, perseverance in the face of adversity, friendship, and brains over violence -- the show uses unique aerial acts, acrobatics, dance, puppetry, dramatic lighting, original set design and custom costumes to create a unique world of fantasy.
The exciting original story follows a young princess and her adventure to save her family and her kingdom from the hand of her evil uncle and is an adaptation of a short story written by Niceville author James Clinton, also known as Clint Mahle, NWF State College theater faculty member. Mahle made a $10,000 donation to the college?s theater program to underwrite the student scholarships and support for the play.
?This is such a unique opportunity for our students, to participate in the experience of bringing an original theatrical work from page to the stage ? and the fact that the faculty member himself made the donation so that the students can have this learning opportunity ? makes it extra special,? said Dr. Cliff Herron, Dean of the college?s Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts Division. He noted that Mahle is available to speak to local schools and other groups about language arts, writing the play and producing theatrical works.
Mahle noted that a goal of the donation was to provide seed money so that the funds from each year?s Proscenium Playhouse production will be used to fund similar theatrical scholarship opportunities in subsequent years. ?This year we needed to get the Proscenium Playhouse experience for students and local audiences off the ground, but we hope that audience support through attending the play will enable similar events to continue for years to come,? said Mahle.
The NWF State College theater students, who are participating in a special series of theater classes to prepare for performing ?Tales of Airn?, include:
Niceville- Shaniquia Anthony, Cameron Daniels, Jamie Roberts, Lizzie Wilson;
Fort Walton Beach -Heather Connelly, Natalie Fowler, Melissa Gaccione, Barclay Nichol, Cara Ratliff, Patty Perez-Borroto, Cassidy Thomas, Ashley Wheeler;
Mossy Head - Jarrett Demos;
Navarre - Candace Isaacs;
Santa Rosa Beach ?Joshua Juneau, Savannah Lewis, Kyle Poppell; and
Destin - Micajah McCollough.
The cast in ?Tales of Airn? will create a world of dreams onstage as the audience follows the breathtaking adventures of Tara, Princess of Danaan, as she struggles to save her mother, father, and kingdom from a perilous fate at the hands of her evil uncle. Join Tara?s journey as she faces danger on mountains, in forests, and across the sea.
A Facebook page for the production with show photos, set and costume renderings, a link to the study guide, and a detailed document discussing applicable Sunshine Standards with activities is available by selecting the link on the Mattie Kelly Arts Center homepage at Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College: Mattie Kelly Arts Center. Links to the story in audio book are also available on the page Tales of Airn | Facebook
