JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH IS RIPE FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES

Dramatic Academy prepares for three public performances, May 29-31

Bangor, ME – Penobscot Theatre Company’s Dramatic Academy proudly presents James and the Giant Peach, a dramatized version of Roald Dahl’s hilariously heartwarming story, at the Bangor Opera House May 29 and 30 at 6:00 pm and May 31 at 3:00 pm.

“The play is very faithful to Dahl’s literary gem,” said Director of Education Amy Roeder, “but we’re adding some special Dramatic Academy touches, including a pre-show performance in the same vein as Shakespearean ‘green shows’ to make this a truly interactive experience!”

The story opens with hapless orphan James living quietly and quite miserably with his despicable Aunt Spiker and his horrible Aunt Sponge. When he receives a magical gift from a mysterious stranger, the adventure begins! Audiences will travel along with James as he befriends fantastical creatures, flies a giant piece of fruit across a treacherous ocean, and lands atop the Empire State Building.

Thirty-four youth make up the cast of James and the Giant Peach. They include: Kobe Angel, Andrew Barrett, Lauren Bilancia, Sophia Bilodeau, Thea Bowden, Katelynn Bowker, Ian Buck, Elisabeth Budd, Kaitlyn Carreira, Brianna Demaso, Ian Eskesen, Rebekah Friedman, Connemara Geaghan, Kai Grosjean, Meghan Harriman, Maia Johnson, Brooke Jones, Conor Laferriere, Nathan Manaker, Sophia Merchan, Sophia Mullins, Noam Osher, Zivi Osher, Rachel Palmer, Rebeclyn Parker, Laura Pribus, Joseph Rutledge, Lana Sabbagh, Chloe Sarnacki, Lilie Sites, Raven Sockalexis, Claire Thompson, Emma Tzovarras and Laurel Whidden.

James and the Giant Peach is directed by Penobscot Theatre Company resident teaching artist and celebrated company member, Benjamin Layman.

Tickets are $8 for students and $12 for adults. Discounted rates are available for groups. To purchase, please call (207) 942-3333 or visit www.penobscottheatre.org.

Dramatic Academy is the celebrated educational arm of Penobscot Theatre Company. In addition to offering year-round classes, camps, and workshops for adults and youths aged 4 and up, Dramatic Academy produces three school-year productions and two fully realized summer productions, all open to the general public.

Amy Roeder

About Amy Roeder

Director of Education – Amy Roeder is pleased to be joining the staff at PTC. Amy received her BFA in theatre from the University of Evansville and her Master of Fine Arts in acting from The University of Georgia. She recently relocated to Bangor from Chicago where she taught and performed with famed comedy institution The Second City. Local audiences may have seen her onstage with Improv Acadia in Bar Harbor where she has been a company member since 2005. Amy has performed all over the country including at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park and with the Improv Asylum in Boston. In addition to teaching acting and improvisation classes all over the world, Amy is also designs and facilitates workshops in improvisational techniques for businesses. Amy hates writing in the third person.