Welcome to our season
A message from Eric Fraisher Hayes, Artistic Director
As I move into my second season as Artistic Director of RPE, I feel encouraged that my basic premise holds true. “There will always be an audience for good theatre.” By striving for consistently strong productions last season, attendance grew with each show.Throughout the last season, a phrase came into focus for me: “destination theatre.” If the restaurants can be a draw for the downtown, why can’t Role Players Ensemble become a draw as well.
With this in mind, Role Players Ensemble has committed itself to becoming a center for cultural activity in the San Ramon Valley. We’ve planned an ambitious season, expanding into the realm of the musical and taking on one of Eugene O’Neill’s most epic plays. In between we are throwing in some brilliant comic wit and a heart-stopping murder mystery.
In September we open with the passionate and powerful “Mourning Becomes Electra.” There is nothing to be gained by playing small with this show. It is larger than life and we intend to deliver it as such. Almost immediately following MBE, we present the very thoughtful and absurd musings of Tom Stoppard’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.” It’s Hamlet meets Godot with incredibly witty comic results. In January, we offer our stage tribute to film noir “Laura.” Based on the novel, as was the film classic, this stage adaptation creates an opportunity for bringing a type of theatricality that only live performance can accomplish. We round out our season with the first musical offering during my tenure, Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Mikado.”We will put a special emphasis on the acting and theatricality of this beloved musical classic.
Beginning this fall, we will be offering presentations and concerts in support of our productions. We believe these additional avenues into the worlds of our shows will help illuminate the value of the theatrical arts in our community.
By supporting our programs, you will be helping us take another step towards our goal of enriching the cultural life and economic vitality of our community. We seek to be the local option.
Bio
Eric Fraisher Hayes is a director/actor/educator. He is excited about embarking on his second season as Artistic Director for Role Players Ensemble. This season he will be taking on the various challenges of directing Mourning Becomes Electra, Laura and The Mikado. Other directing credits include Livermore Shakespeare, California Conservatory Theatre, Holy Names University, St. Mary’s College, Solano College, New Conservatory Theatre, Chanticleers, Arc Light Rep and PlayGround. Local acting credits include the Magic, Playhouse West, AlterTheater and the Best of the PlayGround. Chicago acting credits include: Steppenwolf, The Goodman, Next, Circle, Stage Left and Shattered Globe Theatre Company. Eric has spent summers acting with the Colorado and Wisconsin Shakespeare Festivals. He teaches acting for Solano College and California Shakespeare Theater. Eric is most proud of his contributions to the pilot program Little Bo Pepys which brings fairy tales to life for rural English school children.
ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE ROBIN TAYLOR
Robin Taylor will be lending his many talents to our productions this season.
His musical and dialectic contributions were invaluable last season and will play a critical role in the success of this year’s plays.
