Nevada City, CA – Nevada County’s very own Story Time for Grown Ups returns to the Miners Foundry Cultural Center on Sunday, Nov. 3 for an intimate afternoon of the imagination with Short Stories of Mystery & Suspense written by authors Susan Glaspell, Shirley Jackson and Alan Orloff.
“This is our first Mystery and Suspense-themed Readers Theater. The week surrounding Halloween is usually the spookiest of the year, so the timing is right for some delicious mystery stories. This is a good fit for anyone who enjoys mystery written by masters of literature,” said Director Gaylie Bell-Stewart who reads up to 30 short stories to find the best match for actors, timeline and theme.
The benefit performance includes cabaret table seating for two-four patrons. The Miners Foundry features a no host full bar and pastries available for purchase. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the performance begins at 4 p.m.
Readers Theater has been called Story Time for Grown Ups or Theatre of the Mind, and gained popularity during World War II when large stage plays were too expensive to produce. Using minimal props, the actor and the imagination of the audience illustrate the story.
“I like a really good story that just sort of takes you out of yourself and leaves the everyday world behind. I think it’s a really nice escape,” said Bell-Stewart.
The afternoon will feature performances by Carolyn Winter, Lindsey Dunckel, Jon Blinder and Kimberly Ewing. This is a return for Carolyn Winter who worked under the direction of Tim O’Connor in previous Readers Theaters. The rest of the cast has performed in Readers Theater for the past few years. All of the cast generously offer their talent and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit The Foundry.
Tim O’Connor established the local Readers Theater 22 years ago, was Director of Foothill Theater Company and is best known as a prolific actor with roles in Peyton Place, Gunsmoke, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, General Hospital, Hawaii-Five-0, Columbo and dozens more.
Director Gaylie Bell-Stewart studied the tradition of Readers Theater with Tim O’Connor for 20 years.
“When Tim O’Connor began Readers Theater back in the 1990s, he chose literature in the form of short stories, with an occasional play. These translate well to live format because it is like listening to a book on tape in a live format with an audience around us. And some of us remember enjoying stories being dramatically read to us on the radio when we were kids,” said Bell-Stewart, who has organized every Readers Theater since Tim O’Connor’s passing in 2018, lucky 13 so far.
KNOW AND GO:
WHO: Tim O’Connor’s Readers Theater
WHERE: Miners Foundry, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City, CA 95959
Email: info@minersfoundry.org
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 3; Doors open at 3:30 p.m., show begins at 4 p.m.
COST: $15 General Admission. Tables seat 1-4 patrons. Groups may be combined to form full tables. This is a seated show and benefit for the Miners Foundry Cultural Center.
TICKETS: Available online or in person at the Miners Foundry Box Office:
325 Spring Street, Nevada City, CA 95959
Tuesday – Friday | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Miners Foundry Cultural Center is a living historic treasure serving Nevada County as a cultural art and community events center producing 400 events annually. More than a venue, the nonprofit’s mission is to preserve, enhance and utilize the historic Miners Foundry for cultural, educational and social activities in Nevada County. It is a symbol of California’s rich historical heritage, providing an educational and social bridge from our past to the present and future. Membership supports ongoing events at Miners Foundry such as these and many others.