In Michigan, the Inspired Acting Company is all set to kick off its second season in style with a performance of ‘The Book Club Play’. The play opens the season at its Walled Lake theater from Sept. 20-Oct. 6, with performances running Fridays through Sundays.
When Lizzie Caldwell retired from the Army, she never thought she would return to her theater roots. But returning to Michigan, she discovered her high school theater teacher had established a new theater company less than an hour away from her. Nowadays, she serves as the resident stage manager for all the shows hosted by the Inspired Acting Company.
‘The Book Club Play’ follows the trials and tribulations of a local book club that becomes the subject of a documentary project. With a camera rolling, secrets get spilled and tensions rise, making for quite a spectacle. The Director himself calls it one of the funniest shows he’s read in a long time and everyone involved is excited for the audience to see it.
Opening a theater from scratch is no mean feat, as the crew at The Inspired Acting Company found out. Finding an affordable space for a fledgling non-profit theater group in Michigan was like “cutting through the Amazon with a machete,” said the director. But thanks to their determination and some luck, they found just the space they needed. After that, it was time to stock up on equipment, roll up their sleeves, and get ready for opening night.
Now, they’re set to start their second season on a high note with ‘The Book Club Play’. The first season was all about figuring out what works, but this time around, they’ve picked shows more deliberately, aiming to put on performances that will truly resonate with the audience. In addition to regular performances, they also plan to offer drop-in classes for acting and improv, making them a genuine community hub.
In the words of Lizzie Caldwell, “We’re growing our audience, we’re growing our network with other artists, other actors and technicians. We keep getting better and better with each show.”
The whole team hopes that viewers will get a cozy, intimate vibe from ‘The Book Club Play’ – just like stepping into the living room of a real book club. If you want to watch the magic unfold, you can catch ‘The Book Club Play’ at 1124 E. West Maple Road, Walled Lake. Tickets range from $30-$35. For more information, call 248-863-9953, or pay them a visit at inspiredacting.org.
