In a new home, Staunton's Off Center is holding auditions for its 2025 performances
Patrick Hite, Staunton News Leader 1/24/25
STAUNTON — The Off Center, a Staunton-based organization that gathers people together to experience curious stories through theater, puppetry, literature, and storytelling, has found a new home for 2025.
Most performances will be held at the Staunton Augusta Art Center, located at 20 S. New St. in Staunton. There will also be a holiday performance at the SolArt Center, 6 Byers St., Staunton, in December.
“Staunton Augusta Art Center is the perfect partnership for us," said Davey White, the director of the Off Center. "Our ensemble creates work that combines performance art, literary art, and visual art. A lot of the art on display in the gallery will engage in conversation with the performances we’re creating.”
The ensemble will offer six performances this year, beginning in April.
“We’re so grateful to everyone who has joined us for our off-centered performances," said Davey White, the director of the Off Season. "And this year is going to be wild. There’s a kind of unintentional theme to these plays, of someone arriving someplace they don’t belong. A kind of exploration of the idea of home. And we’re hoping to continue to develop our visual and musical playfulness throughout the season.”
Performances:
"Amerika: The Boy Who Disappeared"
When: April 17-26, 7 p.m.
Where: Staunton Augusta Art Center
What: A loose adaptation of Kafka’s unfinished epic novel. Karl Rossman has been banished by his family to the United States. Join us for a look at a kid finding a new beginning in a strange new world through the eyes of an immigrant, filtered through Kafka’s horrifying imagination and The Off Center’s playful puppetry.
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"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"
When: June 12-14, 7 p.m.
Where: Staunton Augusta Art Center
What: A remount of our beloved punk rock puppet play from the 2024 Queen City Mischief and Magic Festival. Inspired by the Arthurian Legend, Arthur's Nephew Gawain has some choices to make when a gruesome giant shows up and proposes a bloody game. “He’s the Green Knight, His head ain’t right, Got rocks in his beard and he’s lookin for a fight.”
"Dad's Original Tangy BBQ Sauce"
When: July 16-26, 7 p.m.
Where: Staunton Augusta Art Center
What: A new play by Davey White. At the end of their father's life, siblings Agg and Ollie stand vigil, try to understand the story of their family, and vie ruthlessly for Dad's BBQ recipe.
"Degenerate: The DeJarnett Project"
When: Oct. 16-25, 7 p.m.
Where: Staunton Augusta Art Center
What: A puppet theatre event, based on research on the true story of one of Staunton’s most challenging legacies, America’s eugenics movement.
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"Stories from the Ether"
When: Sept. 11-20, 7 p.m.
Where: Staunton Augusta Art Center
What: A story slap/art exhibit. Where do stories come from? Something that happens? A fascinating character? A meaningful idea? Sure, but what else? Abstract images may conjure a response more complicated than the facts of a story. Join us to watch storytellers bring to life the art of local visual artist, The Off Center’s Deb Seif.
"The Nutcracker and the Mouse King"
When: Dec. 11-20, 7 p.m.
Where: SolArt Center
What: Next in our series of children’s stories that maybe shouldn’t be children’s stories. Follow Marie as she gets mixed up in a dangerous game between a toy soldier used to shell tree nuts, and a seven-headed rat. Those with nut allergies (and everyone else), view at your own risk.
Staunton’s Off Center seeks performers, puppetry artists, and story-tellers for its 2025 Season. Auditions are Feb. 3 at the Staunton Augusta Art Center from 5:30-9 p.m. All performances are paid, non equity. To sign up, and for more information go to www.offcenterstaunton.com.
Creative, bold, and collaborative adults are sought to join our ensemble for one or more of our productions this year.
No puppetry experience required. We consider each piece an opportunity to experiment and redefine, so willingness to explore is more important than resumé.
Creative artists of every background, gender, religion, race, and demographic are encouraged to audition. You Belong Here.
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