The Big Bear Theatre Project

FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR In early March, the Big Bear Theatre Project was preparing to begin our 2020 Season. Then the pandemic hit, and what I thought might be a short break in our schedule, looks like it may extend through the entire year. But something else happened. The world watched George Floyd die. And people rose up to demand change. Not only in policing, but across the board. I have been inspired by the protests around the world and by the passion of the young peo...ple in my life to read and listen and learn as much as I can. And I’ve come to realize how grossly uneducated I am. Because I’m an actor, I was drawn to accounts from Black actors and Black theatre companies about the overt and subtle racism that they endure on a consistent basis. I kept asking myself, what can I do? I felt ignorant and powerless. Then I realized I’m not alone. I believe there is power in theatre. The power to share and understand the human condition. Playwright Chisa Hutchinson, in her powerful new play about race, Amerikin, wrote a line that resonated with me, I firmly believe in the power of understanding. To understand something is to know how it works. And once you know how it works, you have the power to disable it. I’ve also come to realize that I will never truly understand. But, we can help promote playwrights and artists of color. We can support them in telling their stories and sharing their experiences. Artists have always fought against oppression and brought light to the things that divide us. When we embrace our common humanity and go beyond our differences, we can help create a better, more inclusive, and more just world. Before things shut down, we had been talking about creating a new and more diverse Board of Directors and Artistic Team for the Big Bear Theatre Project. Now, we are promising to do so and invite you to hold us accountable. I look forward to the time when we can once again gather together in the Theatre to explore and share what it is to be human. Until then, I will continue to listen and learn and do what I can to better support people of color onstage and off. I believe Black Lives Matter. Steve Cassling Artistic Director The Big Bear Theatre Project

A reimagining of Broadway musicals in light of current events. #QuarantineAMusical

There has been significant coverage surrounding the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). After the County declared a local health emergency on Tuesday, the BBTP has decided to postpone the 2020 Toxic Love One-Act Festival scheduled for April, due to the evolving circumstances and our responsibility to ensure the safety, health, and well being of our community. We will be in touch in the coming months on what’s next for the project. Thank you, and please stay safe and healthy.

Keep your eye out for AUDITIONS!

NEW PLAY OPPORTUNITY: We are seeking original, short one act plays that focus on the theme of toxic love for a series of produced one-acts. Ideal length 10-15 minutes with 20-minute maximum. Previously produced plays are acceptable. Playwrights may submit up to three (3) plays maximum. Application deadline is February 29, 2020 at 11:59 PM. Selected plays will be performed at the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center from April 3-5 & 9-11. This submission opportunity is open to any genre, as long as it incorporates the festival’s theme of toxic love (i.e. relationships people have with food, work, individuals, etc.). Free to apply. For more information, please visit our website. #newplays #oneacts #writingopportunity

Look how excited Buddy is for ‘A Christmas Carol... askew’! Friday 12/20 @ 7:30 Saturday 12/21 @ 7:30 Sunday 12/22 @ 2:30 Christmas tunes by Santa’s Bad Elves before the show. ... At the PAC! Tix available at the box office or citybigbearlake.com See more

It’s that time of year! The Big Bear Theatre Project holiday classic ‘A Christmas Carol Askew Extended Final Farewell Tour’ is taking place on December 20th, 21st, and 22nd at the Performing Arts Center! Steve Cassling, Ty Warren and Brian Adams bring to life a hilarious panto-version of A Christmas Carolthe comedic trio play all the characters in A Christmas Carol, wellwith the help of a few unsuspecting audience members. Each performance is unique day-to-day ...and year-to-year. See it again and again! There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit! Tickets available online and at the Big Bear Performing Arts Center box office. #bigbeartheatreproject #christmascarolaskew See more

Thank you to @brandonrileymiller for capturing the magic that happened behind the scenes and in the lobby of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST. We love being able to share the joy we have for the theatre and the vision we have for the project: to connect, tell stories, and to grow something that’s long been part of the Big Bear community. #theimportanceofbeingernest #theatre #bigbear @ Big Bear Performing Arts Center

Congratulations to the incredible cast, crew, and company of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST on a fantastic run!! We have dared to love you wildly, passionately, devotedly, hopelessly (despite Cecily’s views on that phrase) these past couple of months and will miss seeing your faces around Big Bear. Until next time! It is always painful to part from people whom one has known for a very brief space of time. The absence of old friends one can endure with equanimity. But even a momentary separation from anyone to whom one has just been introduced is almost unbearable. #theimportanceofbeingearnest #theatre #bigbear