Echo Theatre at Fair Park's TEMPLE SPIRIT World Premiere Begins Tonight

Echo Theatre, in partnership with Fair Park, has announced a World Premiere theatrical production, TEMPLE SPIRIT by Susan Felder, a hero's quest through Japanese folk legends and demon tales.

Directed by Jeffrey Schmidt, the show will run tonight, March 30, through April 16, 2016 at Fair Park's historic Show Place Theatre, inside the Creative Arts Building. Opening night is set for March 31 at 8 p.m.

Gate 3 (behind the Women's Building) is the access point. Echo Theatre will send a map with every ticket confirmation and there'll be way-finding helpers for patrons once inside the park. Free, attended parking adjacent to the venue is provided.

If you've ever gawked at the State Fair of Texas' Butter Sculpture, checked out the quilts, and examined other blue ribbon-winning items on display, you've been in the Creative Arts Building. The theater, usually offering puppet shows during the fair, will be transformed into a Japanese temple by Echo's designers. Audiences are limited to only 99 patrons per show for a more intimate viewing experience.

The Box Office opens nightly at 7:30pm. Seating begins at 7:45pm. Curtain is at 8pm. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Free, attended parking. For tickets and more information, visit www.echotheatre.org, call the Box Office at 214-904-0500 or email reservations@echotheatre.org.

Director Jeffrey Schmidt introduced the team at Echo Theatre to Susan Felder, the playwright of TEMPLE SPIRIT. He had directed a touring production of one of Susan's plays and was interested in exploring more of her work with Echo. After introductions and conversations, Susan checked out the Echo website and said, "I read the mission statement and back story. Echo is the perfect company to produce this work. A perfect match."

In mid-January, Felder took a day off from directing The Seagull at Bradley University in Illinois to come to Dallas to hear the first cast reading of her script. Afterwards, Susan said, "Alright Dallas! I'm in a GOOD MOOD and I've heard this play a lot! It's been through many workshops and revisions. There's some real gusto in this group and it's terrific!" She shared that her script explores what happens when the simplicity of right and wrong is abandoned, and that True Heroes don't celebrate a grand victory because someone else's loss has taken much from them.

Director Jeffrey Schmidt said, "I love working on new plays. This amazing cast will make Temple Spirit come alive. I can't wait for the sparks of creativity in rehearsal!"

Journey through the world of TEMPLE SPIRIT, filled with the demons and ghosts that have influenced Japanese culture for thousands of years. These are psychologically terrifying entities that prey on the minds and bodies of the living and embody a myriad of today's fears; blurring our impulse to choose right or wrong. As the legend goes, after a village temple was taken over by a demon, many good priests attempted to cast it out. This one-night challenge always ended with their very malicious destruction. When a new challenger arrives, he carries with him a secret shame that may be the only means by which he can defeat the evil within the temple. A fantastical world will confront him, and other lives depend upon his victory. Masks, music, and shadow work add to the theatricality of the production and to the audience experience.

CAST:

Jogen - Anthony L. Ramirez * EC

Nezumi - Ian Ferguson *

Innkeeper/King - Bryan Douglas EC

Kosa - Brittney Dubose

Fisherman - Alexander Ferguson EC

Firefly Queen - Nicole Berastequi

Maiden - Danielle Pickard

Flute Girl - Lorena Davey EC

PRODUCTION TEAM:

Director & Set Design - Jeffrey Schmidt

General Manager and Production Stage Mngr. - Alett Gray EC

Costume Design - Melissa Perkins EC

Lighting Design - Robert G. McVay EC

Sound Design - Rebecca Brooks EC

Properties Design - Lynn Mauldin EC and Rebekka Koepke EC

Choreographer - Sara Romersberger

Managing Artistic Director and Producer - Terri Ferguson EC

Marketing / Asst. Producer - Kateri Cale EC

Technical Director - James Stroman EC

Light Board Operator - Jon Leitch E

* Member, Actors Equity
EC Member, Echo Company

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