New Laramie Theatre Company Begins Rehearsals for Debut

Anne and Claire Mason, sisters with Laramie roots, are making good on something they've wanted to do for some time now.  They are mounting a theatrical production right here in the Gem City.

Anne Mason says that she's spent the last year working for a Sacramento theater company, learning the ins and out of theatrical production.  When she came home she wanted to put some of that knowledge to use.  Claire Mason has been in Laramie but is leaving at the end of the summer to pursue her PhD.  "We have this short gap of time where we could work together," says Anne.  "It was something that we've always talked about doing but never had the opportunity to."

Anne and Claire have launched Relative Theatrics, a company that will be producing the play Brilliant Traces by Cindy Lou Johnson.  The story follows a man and woman, strangers to each other, in an Alaskan cabin during a raging blizzard.  "These two strangers really want nothing more than to escape life," says Anne.  "They've had issues in their past that they're trying to get away from.  Then they get caught in a blizzard, in this lonely cabin."

The two-person show will star Anne and Laramie actor Mark Mieden.  Claire Mason will be directing.  Designs for the show are being handled by recent UW graduate, Sarah Varca.  Rehearsals begin on Monday.

The production recently received a grant from the Wyoming Arts Council.  "We've also been receiving some local funding from Laramie businesses.  So it it's something that the entire community can enjoy," says Anne.  "We're really excited."

Preview performances are August 1st at 7:30, with tickets at $5.  Regular performances are August 2nd and 3rd at 7:30 pm with a 2:00 pm Matinee august 4th.  Tickets for those regular performances are $10.  Performances are being held at Laramie's Gryphon Theatre.

As to what the future holds for Relative Theatrics, Anne Mason says that, even though Claire is leaving Laramie, she'd like to continue with more productions.  "If it goes well, I'd love to continue to produce in Laramie."