Friday, May 26 through Sunday, June 4, the Andromeda Community Theater group will present the famous Agatha Christy play, “Witness for the Prosecution.” The performance will be held at the historic Eaton County Courthouse in downtown Charlotte and will feature several local performers from a local theater group.
Director Amy Jo Kinyon believes this will be an outstanding performance for a number of reasons, not the least of which is because of the unique performance setting.
“It’s a courtroom drama, which is perfect for the old courthouse,” Kinyon said. “It’s not an audience participation performance, but being in that courthouse will make the audience feel like they’re part of the scene.”
The authenticity of the space is not the only component that will make the play feel authentic. Kinyon and the cast have put focused work toward making details like accents and time period realistic and believable. The setting of the play is Britain in the 1920s.
“They’re picking up nuance of characters and making it their own. They’re really taking those backstories and ticks,” Kinyon said of the cast.
The cast does face a few challenges performing in the courthouse. The space is obviously not designed for theater performances, so adjustments for lighting, like covering up the courtroom windows, are necessary steps for an affective show. Kinyon also acknowledged that rehearsing in any space that isn’t the actual place of the performance creates challenges of prop spacing and vocal projection, among other things.
She doesn’t believe such challenges will hinder the cast from delivering a stunning show. In fact, Kinyon knows from past experience how the cast and crew will have to adjust in old courthouse. The Andromeda Community Theater group in recent years performed “To Kill a Mockingbird” in the old courthouse, a performance she believes set audience members in a mood for more courtroom dramas.
Kinyon hopes to attract both theater lovers and theater novices, and she believes “Witness for the Prosecution” is a play that has something for both types. It’s a sign of a healthy community to have room for the arts.
“It means so much to our culture to have a vibrant and active art scene. This is just another factor that adds to a well-rounded community, and I’m happy to be part of one little facet,” said Kinyon.
The Andromeda theater group is grateful for the opportunity to perform at local favorites like the historic courthouse and the Cider Mill, where the group performed “Dracula.” Working with the historic courthouse association has been easy and enjoyable, according to Kinyon. And while it’s a struggle for the theater group to operate without a single location to call home, the accommodation from the community to perform in such spaces has made each production a greater collective effort.
To learn more about Andromeda Community Theater, their upcoming performance of “Witness for the Prosecution,” and ways to be involved, readers can visit Andromeda Community Theater’s Facebook page.
