REP actors sign autographs after a performance of “Alice in Wonderland.” Photos courtesy The REP
Making an impact through the arts by Aubrey Ainsworth Director of Artistic Operations, The REP Theatre by Aubrey Ainsworth
If you were to walk through the heart of Seaside during a late weekday afternoon, you would most likely see two of The REP’s professional actors performing a one-of-a-kind story to a group of onlookers. Expertly creating an improvised story from audience suggestions, “Stories by the Sea” resembles the street performance art that is prevalent in many cultural epicenters around the world. This type of storytelling gives new meaning to the arts and culture that is found in Seaside. It is in these precious moments, along the tree-lined path at the top of the Seaside Amphitheater, that family traditions are created and enjoyed year after year.
The theatrical experience that plays an essential role in the arts and culture of Seaside doesn’t stop there. Monday evenings are brought to life when the Seaside Amphitheater is transformed into the magical world of “Alice in Wonderland.” Wondrous music fills the town center as people gather with their chairs and find the perfect spot to watch the story loved by so many. Once the play begins, the infamous tea party sets the scene as the Mad Hatter and the March Hare anxiously await the arrival of their dear friend, Alice. When she finally arrives, she is met with grand applause as she gracefully enters the stage.
For The REP, the joy of sharing the arts can be found in knowing that their performance will have a lasting impact on the audience. The process of developing these summer shows is filled with an unrelenting vision, big ideas, and a commitment to giving others an unforgettable experience. Everyone has their part to play that results in the gratifying experience of bringing happiness to others. Katie Gulak, one of The REP’s professional actors agrees, “The process of preparing our summer programming is so rewarding. We work diligently and focus on producing shows that entertain and inspire,” she says. “To me, the best thing is our team work. Since we are a small company, the family dynamic that we have really shines through when watching us perform.”
REP improv teachers prepare for the weekly performance of Improv Army at the Seaside Amphitheater.
The company itself may be small, but the impact The REP has on Seaside and the surrounding community is infinite. Sharing the love of the performing arts with local and visiting students is a critical part of the theater’s mission. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, excitement fills the air as you hear laughter escaping from behind The REP doors. In this theater’s intimate venue, Improv Bootcamp has taken over giving students a creative outlet for expression and a place to let their imagination run wild. Whether your child is embracing their creativity at Improv Bootcamp, or the family is captured by the cast of crazy characters in “Alice in Wonderland,” those memorable experiences will leave a lasting impression for years to come.
To see what The REP has to offer during the summer season, be sure to check the full calendar of events at LoveTheREP.com.