Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga is inviting the community to join the cast of its original experimental theatre piece, “Have a Seat,” beginning December 2. Performances will take place at St. Andrews Center on Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 6:30 p.m. through December 18.
Director John Thomas Cecil doesn’t consider taking on the serious topic of homelessness during the lighthearted holidays risky. “Correlating to our ‘Enriching The Community’ theme this season, I believe a show about our homeless is the perfect opportunity to strengthen our community, especially during a time of year when we focus more on giving than receiving.” Coming in to “Have A Seat,” the audience will experience theatre in a new and unconventional way. “Our actors will literally live among the audience. The line between the spectators and the performers will be blurred to encourage people to see each other as equals, not as labels. We’re attempting to use this performance to remove the conventions with which an audience is accustomed,” says Cecil.
Tickets are ten dollars for adults and eight dollars for students with a valid student ID. Tickets are available at www.ensembletheatreofchattanooga.com, by calling 423-987-5141 and at the box office. Doors open 30 minutes before each performance. Free parking is available behind St. Andrews Center. Cecil and Christy Gallo are directing ETC’s production of “Have a Seat.” Cast members include Renee Dempsey, Evie Durant, Jamie Goodnight, Robbye Lewis and Jonathan Nichols. The stage manager is Casey Keelen.
ETC is a nonprofit housed at St. Andrews Center, located at 1918 Union Avenue in Highland Park. This is ETC’s third season. ETC’s producing partners are Cecil, Gallo and Garry Lee Posey.