As If Theatre celebrates successful first year in Kenmore; looks forward to 2020

The theater company announces its spring show, “The Cake.”

By Madison Miller • January 23, 2020 8:30 am
Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross Carolynne Wilcox, Devika Bhagwat and Cindy Giese French in As If Theatre’s first production, “The Clean House” last year.
Photo by Rosemary Dai Ross Carolynne Wilcox, Devika Bhagwat and Cindy Giese French in As If Theatre’s first production, “The Clean House” last year.

As If Theatre Company celebrated its first year in Kenmore.

Led by Cindy Giese French, Amy Gentry and Molly Hall, As If put on two mainstage productions — Sarah Ruhl’s “The Clean House” and “Kimberly Akimbo” by David Lindsay-Abaire — and its first festival of short plays, The Kenmore Quickies.

As If ran 29 performances and welcomed 1,060 patrons into its theater at the Kenmore Community Club.

In addition to the productions, As If offered multiple monologue workshops, which allowed local actors to practice their audition pieces and receive constructive feedback from professional directors. Other classes, such as a play writing class and a dance class, were also offered throughout the year.

“We thought, ‘What do we want to offer the community that’s not often offered by other theater companies?’” Giese French said. “We wanted to find as many ways to serve the community as we can.”

One of the year’s highlights for As if included being sponsored by the Arts of Kenmore. The theater company is now able to work under its nonprofit umbrella. As If received two grants that went toward performance expenses, from 4Culture and the Raynier Foundation. Financially, As If is ending its first year in the black.

“It’s hard to believe how much we accomplished in one year’s time,” Giese French said. “We made a lot of it up as we went and learned from all of the ups and downs along the way. We couldn’t be prouder of the work we’ve done, or more grateful for the support of this outstanding community.”

Looking forward to 2020, Giese French said the theater company will continue to offer theater that is bold, thought provoking and entertaining. Two mainstage plays, the second annual Kenmore Quickies, monthly monologue workshops, dance classes and a few surprises are in store, she said.

As If Theatre will launch the production season in March will be Bekah Brunstetter’s play, “The Cake.”

“It’s a great story — funny, heartfelt and poignant. It’s about baking, beliefs and when to stop following the recipe,” Giese French said.

Auditions are scheduled for mid-January.

For additional info about the company, the partners, and upcoming events, visit www.asif theatre.com.