It’s a busy summer for Fort Wayne’s faith-based theatre company all for One. Having navigated last year’s season of the unknown—which saw two of their productions canceled and two others adjusted for online access and/or a new larger venue – this year they approached the new season with two productions already in the queue (the ones canceled last season) and two terrific additions. The season kicks off with The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church, a comedy that runs September 17-26.
“It takes place in a church basement where ladies meet,” said Lauren Nichols, artistic director of all for One. “It’s a bit like Steel Magnolias as these women meet to sort out donations. It’s extremely funny but also very poignant. I really can’t talk any more about it without giving away the story!”
Nichols will direct both that effort and the holiday offering, Great Expectations, which runs November 12-21. Both shows are already cast since Nichols was unsure how many people would be ready to come back. As it turned out, her usual stable of actors and then some were anxious to get back on the stage after a lengthy break. Among those who will take the stage this year is all for One executive director Stacey Kuster who has recently renewed her love of performing.
“I had the acting bug and loved to be on stage, but I got out of it,” Kuster said. “I was out of it for a long time and hadn’t done anything since high school until I was in an all for One production in 2012. I was ready to have that creative outlet and find a space to create again.”
“I think it’s important for a director to get back into their artistic side,” Nichols added.
“And I think that in being on the stage again, I’m able to see what we might need to do to change and improve the experience for our actors,” Kuster said.
The season continues with another production postponed from last season, Mary’s Wedding, which runs February 18-27 and tells the story of a “Charlie, a native Canadian, and Mary, a British emigrant, are neighbors on opposite sides of the social divide in their small town” in the days leading up to World War I. Rounding out the season will be The Princess and the Goblin based on the beloved novel by George MacDonald. That show will run April 22-May 1, and all shows will once again return all for One to their home at the ArtsLab black box. For more information and for tickets, visit allforonefw.org.
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