As we wind down from the year and settle into the winter months, one organization is about to kick it into high gear and embark on their season of performances. The Theatre of Dare has reached its 29^th year and is excited to present four upcoming shows for the 2019/2020 season.

In the beginning, a small group of people that wanted to find a productive way to spend their winter got together and started the Theatre of Dare. After one small performance, they made enough money to have another show. Now, the theater proudly hosts four to five shows in a season and has sparked the interest of many around the Outer Banks.

Stuart Parks II, Theatre of Dare board member, said he found out about the theater through his wife’s coworker. After participating in his first performance there ten years ago, Parks has been stuck ever since. “It’s a way to keep everybody sane and social in the winter months,” Parks said. “It’s a lot of likeminded people that like hanging out with each other.” Now his family of four is all somehow involved with the theatre.

Parks will be directing the upcoming musical “Mame.” His fellow board members will be directing the other three shows, including “A World War II Radio Christmas,” directed by Penelope Carroll. This will be Parks and Carroll’s first show as directors.

After settling in the Outer Banks when her children were little, Carroll decided to join the Theatre of Dare. The theater was auditioning for “Peter Pan” at the time. “I figured that was something the girls and I could do together,” Carroll said. Her youngest daughter played the role of little Michael in the performance and Carroll and her other daughter were a part of the ensemble.

“It gives everyone something to do,” Parks said, “and we do wonderful things.” As the cast and crew of “A World War II Radio Christmas” gear up for their December shows, Carroll shared that performance will tie in parts of Dare County’s history.

The lobby of the theatre will contain pieces of history from the Outer Banks History Museum from this area back in that time period. Local high school students have also volunteered to dress up in colonial attire and welcome guests to the show.

Before those performances begin, the directors will be holding auditions for their 2020 show and musical, “Becky Shaw” and “Mame.” Auditions are Dec. 3, 4, and 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. Auditions for “Becky Shaw” will be held at the Manteo Public Library, and “Mame” auditions will take place at the Lost Colony Administration Building, next to the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo.

The theater is looking for anyone and everyone to come out and audition. If acting and singing aren’t your cup of tea, they always welcome help with the sound stage, costume design and prop building as well. “If you have interest, well gladly take you in,” Parks said.

To learn more about upcoming shows and auditions, visit the theater’s website at www.theatreofdareobx.com.

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