THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 5, 1995 TAG: 9502020161
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: John Harper
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
The Theatre of Dare has a new president, Kathy Morrison of Kitty Hawk. Morrison has been a member of the theater group for two years and has appeared in four of its productions.
She is a relative latecomer to the world of theater. Calling acting ``something I always dreamed about,'' Morrison, 43, says she read an announcement of auditions for the group's 1993 production of ``Crimes of the Heart.''
She auditioned but didn't get a part. But she smelled the greasepaint, so Morrison joined the theater group.
The group's next production was ``Play On.'' This time Morrison landed a role and has since appeared in ``Mary, Mary,'' ``6 Rms Riv Vu'' and ``Barefoot in the Park.''
In addition to acting, Morrison has been the Theatre of Dare's publicity director.
The community theater's next production is William Inge's ``Picnic.'' I recently talked to Morrison about the current show, her new job and the theater group's future.
Harper: What's your background?
Morrison: I was a Spanish teacher for 17 years, mostly in the Washington, D.C., area. I moved to the Outer Banks in 1992.
Had you done theater before moving here?
No, I had just thought it was something I would get around to. I saw the ad for auditions for ``Crimes of the Heart.'' It was a nerveracking experience. I didn't get a part, but I did join the group.
You've now acted in four shows. Is the acting getting easier?
Every time you do a show, you get more relaxed. Things that may at first appear difficult are often not so difficult. I've learned a lot from the directors and other actors.
The next production is ``Picnic.''
Yes, it's a William Inge play. It's really not a drama or a comedy, it's a romance. The play is set in Kansas in the l950s and centers around two households of women. The households are disrupted when a handsome vagabond enters the picture at the annual Labor Day picnic.
Who is in the cast?
A lot of the players have been in other shows: Tom Charity, Sidney and Dora Bounds, Betty Ann Campbell, Eric Hause, Pat Clayton. George Spence is the director.
I know the Theatre of Dare formed in 1992 and this play is the group's ninth production, but how has the group changed?
We have grown in each production. We have people coming to every show.
What is your dream for the Theatre of Dare?
There is no question we would like to have a permanent home. The school system has been good to us for productions, but we have to find a new place to rehearse for every show. We also need storage space.
What's next?
Labame Houston will be directing ``Anything Goes'' on May 5th and 6th.
One final question. You run a business (The Yarn Corner). Doesn't show business require a lot of time?
You have to rearrange your schedule, sure, but I enjoy this. MEMO: WHERE & WHEN
What: ``Picnic''
Who: Theatre of Dare
When: Feb. 23-26 and March 2-4
Where: Manteo Middle School
For more information: 441-3088 by CNB