“Terror” by Ferdinand Van Schirak
With an original adaptation for The Catskill Public Theater
Opening: Tuesday, July 9, 2024
The play presents a Military tribunal judging the action of a USAF Fighter pilot, that shoots down a commercial flight with 170 souls on board, in order to avoid a 9/11 style terrorist event at a Sport stadium.
Is the pilot guilty of murder?
OR…is the pilot a disciplined, professional warrior, following his oath of service to protect and defend the US?
In a highly theatrical twist, the Audience acts as the Jury, and during intermission, votes on the innocence or guilt of the Pilot.
The second act has two versions, depending on the vote of the audience jurors.
We are actively recruiting local leaders and personalities to play one of the three Tribunal Judges, and appear in one performance. Interested? Please fill out the below form and you will be contacted promptly.
Stay informed on the future details about these exciting plans and upcoming events by joining our Angels.
During our opening season, CPT will produce and present nine of our own performances. Stay informed on the future details about these exciting upcoming events. Fill out the below form to register for a particular play performance date and please donate $5 per person to reserve your seat(s). Looking forward to seeing you at the show.
Directed by J. Van Dyle
🎭 We are thrilled to reveal that the esteemed Leon J. Van Dyke will be directing our inaugural summer 2024 production of "Terror"! 🌟
🎬 About Leon J. Van Dyke:
A Versatile Career: Leon has chaired, taught, and directed in theatre departments across Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Alabama. His dynamic career has taken him through five states, each adding a unique chapter to his story.
Academic Excellence: As a visiting professor at San Francisco State’s Television Department and a collaborator with the United States Information Agency in Nigeria, Leon
***Our Visiting Judge Opportunity ***
The Catskill Public Theater is recruiting local personalities to play one of the roles in our premiere production of “Terror.”In the CPT adaptation of “Terror,” a “Special Judicial Process” established by order of The Secretary of the US Airforce, creates a panel of three Judges: The Commanding Officer of the Defendant, a Federal Judge selected by the Secretary, and a Guest Judge chosen from the local population where the Defendant is living. It is a merger of a Traditional Court Martial, and trial by “a jury of the Defendant’s Peers.”
We seek “local heroes” to play the part of the “Guest Judge” for a single performance.
The performances are: July 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25…2024.
Curtain will be at 7:30pm and the show will be about 90 minutes long.
We will ask these volunteers to arrive in the Afternoon of their selected performance for a short rehearsal before that evening’s performance. We have endeavored to make the role of the Guest Judge very simple. Those accepting this assignment will be able to wear suitable attire from their own closet. Most lines they will speak are very short. The exception is the reading of the Jury’s verdict, in this case the Audience, which is partially spoken by the Guest Judge. These lines will be provided in advance, and in performance the verdict can be read by the Guest Judge. The complete play can be provided in advance. We will also provide “Sides” that include the lines for the Guest Judge, and the cues to speak them.
This is a serious endeavor, with the compelling issue of whether it is permissible to kill a few, in order to save thousands. It will require a serious attitude, and is not a comedy sketch. Additionally, anyone that accepts the role of Guest Judge, on your performance date, must accept the commitment to ensure the show goes on. We ask that ample time be given in the event that one is unable to follow through on their chosen performance date.
Friends and family of the Guest Judge will have the opportunity to make special reservations for their performance, and will be seated in our treasured patron section of the audience. There will be a hospitality tent where they can get a snack and a glass of wine at intermission or before the Show. If you or someone you know, would be interested in being part of our Premiere production by playing the role of the “Guest Judge” at a single performance, please contact us at: CatskillPublicTheater@gmail.com