Sunday, July 23, 2023 | 4pm – 5:30pm
Reading Public Museum Arboretum, Reading, PA
In Nature’s Studio brings performing arts outdoors and invites the audience to take a walk through a beautiful naturescape to see new work in a new way. It is presented by the Reading Theater Project with JCWK Dance Lab and the Reading Public Museum.
Performance locations along the path (letters will be in chalk on the ground near the performance space and times are approximate):
(A) Audience Check In and the Maggie Spike Trio
The Maggie Spike Trio incorporates both original and cover songs in the World music genre. Volunteers can give you a printed program, direct you to the restroom, add you to our email list, and accept your donations here.
(B) Salon
Inspired by the Salon-style gallery in the museum, paintings will come to life with Cat Kenderdine as docent: Marie, by Egbert Cadmus, written by Vicki Haller Graff, performed by Megan Rose; Young Couple, by Ferdinando Vichi, performed by Matt and Jeanette Fotis; Irish Coast by George Henry Jenkins, written and performed by Kimberly Patterson. Created by Joel Richard Gori.
Performing at 4:05pm, 4:20pm, 4:40pm, 5pm, 5:20pm
(C) Smoky Range
Two bassists give their musical impressions of the landscape painting by Reading native Christopher Shearer (1846-1926) titled “Smoky Range, Allegheny Mountains.” This massive painting hangs in the museum’s auditorium and presents a snapshot of a Pennsylvania environ. Observers of the work continually notice new elements, just as those listening to the musicians’ interpretation will experience. Performed by Kevin MacConnell and Bennie Sims.
Performing at 4pm, 4:15pm, 4:30pm, 4:50pm, 5:10pm
(D) Stirring Up The Stillness
Verses about the overall museum experience and about various works in the museum. Written and performed by Anita Lewis.
Performing at 4:05pm, 4:20pm, 4:35pm, 4:55pm, 5:15pm
(E) Inter/twined
Inter/twined is a reflection on the relationship between humans and Mother Earth. It takes inspiration from the many local landscapes in the second floor gallery. Performed by Sarena Gable and Jessica Warchal-King; music by Riley Monasmith. Choreographic Direction by Jessica Warchal-King.
Performing at 4:25pm, 4:40pm, 4:55pm, 5:20pm
(F) Circuit Continua
“Remember green’s your color. You are Spring” – Gwendolyn Brooks. Created and performed by Jewell A. Brown.
Performing at 4:20pm, 4:35pm, 4:50pm, 5:05pm, 5:25pm
(G) Did You Know?
Two eager visitors are both propelled to the Reading Public Museum by very different hyper fixations. Written and performed by Rob Weidman and Zoë Weidman.
Performing at 4pm, 4:25pm, 4:40pm, 4:55pm, 5:15pm
(H) Ode To What Is Lost (but doesn’t have to be)
An art installation piece where viewers take their own journey through a patchwork of art, words, and sound. Created and performed by Kayla Laucks.
Performing throughout.
(I) Scattered
Scattered is inspired by Berks County’s agricultural history and soil regeneration. Performed by Arielle Ridley and Cady Monasmith; music by Riley Monasmith. Choreographic Direction by Jessica Warchal-King.
Performing at 4:15pm, 4:40pm, 4:55pm; 5:10pm
(J) Permanent Collection
What happens when you go to a museum and the piece you’re looking for isn’t there? Written by Kimberly Patterson, performed by Amy Young.
Performing at 4:05pm, 4:25pm, 4:50pm, 5:05pm, 5:20pm
(K) Flowing Forms
Flowing Forms is informed by the RPM’s founder, Levi W. Mengel’s collection of moths and butterflies. Performed by Megan Zalek, Antolina Novas, Aliyah Daniels, Carla Mannix, Dawn Dietrich; Choreographic Direction by Jessica Warchal-King. Music written by Jill Haley, performed by David Cullen and Chris Heslop.
Performing at 4:10pm, 4:30pm, 5pm, 5:15pm, 5:25pm
Throughout the park: Pleine Air Painters from the Art Plus Gallery in West Reading: Karen Burnette Garner, Steve Fabian, Fran Parzanese, Helen Reinhold, Jay Ressler, Russell Slocum, Karen Weber, Steven J White
Production Team:
Directors: Joel Richard Gori (theater), Chris Heslop (music), and Jessica Warchal-King (dance)
Production Support: Brad Gale, Stacy Laucks, Carey Postell, Sean Sassaman
Image Designs: Nadia and Andrew Pochan
Reading Theater Project Artistic Director: Vicki Haller Graff
Please take photos and videos! Tag us (@readingtheaterproject, @jcwkdancelab, @rdgmuseum), the performer, and use #RTPinNature! We’ll re-share from there!
Support the Arts in Berks County: In Nature’s Studio is generously supported by Visions Federal Credit Union and the Reading Musical Foundation. All of Reading Theater Project’s work is supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and Berks Arts.
Join our community of arts supporters.
Special Thanks to:
Reverend Mandy Miller and the staff at Holy Cross UMC for rehearsal space, Wendy Koller and staff at the Reading Public Museum for performance support, RTP Board Members Suzanne Cody, Jen Reimer, Sara Smith for box office support
JCWK Dance Lab would like to thank Alvernia University and the Heritage of Green Hills.
New Theater in and about Reading and Berks County
Creating positive social change through Joy, Connections, Wellness and Kinesthetic stories!
