Gaslight Theater hosting outdoor Valentine’s Weekend poetry event

PHOTO: Anna Doyle as Madge Owens and Jordan Lorenz as Hal in Gaslight Theater’s 2013 production of “Picnic.” (Submitted photo)

HALLOWELL — Hallowell’s Gaslight Theater is planning an outdoor Valentine-themed poetry event on Valentine Day weekend in up to six locations downtown.
“Prose, Roses, and Woes; Tour of Love,”, a walking tour featuring live poetry readings, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 13, and Sunday, Feb. 14. Small audience groups will be revolved among all the venues, while adhering to social distancing and masking protocols.
Those who would like to participate may:
* Submit a poem dealing with any aspect of the theme of love: true love, new love, old love or even lost love. It should be the submitter’s original work. Organizers are not looking for an epic work, but an original poem that can be read by an actor or the poet. The selection committee will choose which submitted poems will be used in the event. Poems can be submitted by email to Gaslighttheater@Gaslighttheater.org. Put “My Poem” in the subject line.
* Audition to read poems. Readers and audience at each outdoor venue will be socially distanced and there will not be microphones, so a good strong voice and the ability to project is required. Submit a video of yourself reading a poem, or audition via Zoom by appointment. Send an email to Gaslighttheater@Gaslighttheater.org and put “Audition” in the subject line. Include experience in public reading of poetry and prose, if any. Poems that can be used for auditions will be posted on www.gaslighttheater.org
*Save the date! Reserve a spot and enjoy the readings. Reservations will be required to ensure. Tickets are free, but donations will be accepted. Reservations will be for specific time slots and will be available mid to late January at www.gaslighttheater.org
Founded in 1937 as the Augusta Players, and now doing performong at Gaslight Theater, the Gaslight Players are the oldest continuously operating community theater in Maine. Productions have taken place at the theater in Hallowell City Hall since the late 1970s. The regular schedule is four shows a year, usually in late winter, early summer, late summer and the fall, featuring a balance among musicals, mysteries, comedies, classics and new or experimental plays.