Charlita Anderson-White, project leader of the Outside Circle Theater Project, believes in the power of both local theater and social justice in the community.
Those two beliefs will come together for the theater’s first production in 2024.
Premiering in March, the Outside Circle Theater Project will put on “The Downside” in Lorain County. Anderson-White said auditions for the play will take place Jan. 6 at the Lorain Public Library Main Branch, 351 W. Sixth St. in Lorain.
“The Downside” is a play about aging, community, loss and love, written by Molly McFadden and directed by Carla Daniels Valles.
Anderson-White and the production team at Outside Circle want to use the auditions, and their production of “The Downside” as a whole, to inspire change in the community. They said that the play hopes to bring underrepresented voices to the forefront of Lorain County.
“Outside Circle Theater Project is dedicated to educating and generating discussions about history, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion through producing live theater works that reflect the diverse and under-represented voices of the Lorain County community,” the group stated.
In her quest to showcase the community’s underrepresented voices, Anderson-White and Outside Circle sponsored a playwriting contest, she said. The winner, Molly McFadden, is now having her play produced by the theater company in their first production.
“What we assumed we would get is pieces on marginalization, minority issues, but what we got and what we are totally thankful for… is that we got about a play by a lady in her 70s, Molly McFadden, who wrote about aging,” Anderson-White said. “How fortuitous for us to say, well, this is for underrepresented voices.”
In order to bring about that change and showcase diversity in the community, Anderson-White and the production team will need to blaze a trail of their own. Anderson-White noted that the forum that they are looking to create will be the first of its kind in the county.
“We put our first project out… We asked anybody who wanted to showcase their work,” Anderson-White said. “If you’re not already published, or if you’re new, or if you have something to say and you’re nervous about it, or you’re shy, or you think you’re marginalized… Then this is open for you.”
Auditions for Outside Circle Theater Project’s production of “The Downside” will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on Jan. 6. Those looking to audition must sign up at www.signupgenius.com. Those looking to donate to Outside Circle Theater Project should visit ioby.org.
