By Jeff Walker
Features Editor
San Marcos —
Texas State University theatre graduate Elvis Irwin, like many other residents, wants badly to see community theatre flourish in San Marcos.
And he’s working to make that happen. Irwin, along with local costume designer and Costumed Occasions proprietress Bert Flanagan, have started Forum Productions, an independent and non-profit theatre company consisting of San Marcos residents and theatre students.
The troupe will make its debut with the tragicomedy “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,” at 7 p.m. July 30 and 31, Aug. 6 and 7 at the Price Seniors Center.
“I couldn’t be any more thrilled to be given this opportunity. I Hope that the people of San Marcos really enjoy the show,” Irwin said. “We don’t know why San Marcos doesn’t really have a strong community theatre presence... Forum productions is for the people in the area that love to put on a show and for the people who want to come see a show.”
“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead,” written by Tom Stoppard, follows two minor characters from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” showing their perspective on things as “Hamlet” is performed behind them.
“A lot of the comedy is about these two characters killing time, trying to outwit each other and wax philosophical,” Irwin said.
Irwin, who is also the theatre instructor at Luling High School, met Flanagan last spring when she was providing costumes for Luling’s production of “Taming of the Shrew.”
“I’m just talking things over with her (at Costumed Occasions), talking about shoes or tights or leggings, and she kind of stops and looks at me and says ‘you got a minute? Can I show you my dream?’” Irwin said. “I said ‘sure.’ And then she walks over to this adjacent part of the building, and she opens up this doorway that’s been covered by feather boas, and she told me “i ant to make this into a theatre space.’”
She immediately asked Irwin if he’d like to direct the first play and he was happy to accept. The cast consists of both residents, and students from San Marcos high and Texas State University. The 14-member group has been rehearsing inside Flanagan’s space at Costume Occasion. Irwin says he hopes this production will be the first of many more to come from Forum Productions.
“I have a dream of directing nd acting as a living; Flanagan has a dream of having this space. We’re all dreamers and all just hoping that Forum Productions stays active in the community,” Irwin said.
Tickets can be purchased at the door, at Costumed Occasions at 150 S. LBJ Drive, or by calling 754-7000. Tickets are $22 opening night, which includes wine and hors d’oeuvres, and $15 for every other show.
