A pair of brand-new musicals developed by local playwrights will take the stage in Grants Pass this October, giving Southern Oregon audiences the opportunity to experience original productions created and refined within their own community.
Clarion Theatre Company will present In Time, written by Maxwell Bruhn, alongside Fairhaven, written by John Sleadd, during a limited engagement at the Grants Pass Performing Arts Center from Oct. 16 through Oct. 24. The productions will be performed together as a single evening of live theater, offering audiences two distinct stories in one performance.
The upcoming productions trace their roots back to last fall, when Clarion Theatre Company showcased excerpts from six original musicals during a special fundraising event titled Let’s Make a Scene. The presentation offered audiences an early look at works still in development, with a small cast shifting between characters, costumes and storylines to bring multiple creative visions to life over the course of a single evening.
Audience response helped shape what happened next.
Following the performances, theatergoers were invited to share which productions they most wanted to see developed beyond the workshop stage. Several productions generated strong interest, ultimately leading Clarion’s leadership to pursue an ambitious approach rather than selecting a single winner.
Instead, two of the most popular projects were chosen for further development.
Both playwrights were tasked with expanding their concepts into complete one-act musicals, each running approximately one hour or less. The result is a unique double-feature production that will allow audiences to experience two entirely original works during the same performance.
For local theater supporters, the project represents more than a typical stage production. It also highlights the growing role original storytelling continues to play within Southern Oregon’s performing arts community. While many theater companies focus primarily on established productions with long histories and recognizable titles, Clarion’s upcoming season places new creative work at the forefront.
That approach not only provides opportunities for local writers but also allows audiences to participate in the development of productions from their earliest stages through opening night.
Preparations are already underway as Clarion assembles the production team responsible for bringing both musicals to life. Directors, designers, technicians and performers will spend the coming months transforming scripts and concepts into fully staged productions ready for public performance.
The October performances arrive during a significant year for the organization. Clarion Theatre Company is now celebrating its 10th year of serving the region through live theater, music and storytelling. Throughout the past decade, the organization has built a reputation for producing faith-centered productions while creating opportunities for local performers and artists to share their talents with the community.
As work continues behind the scenes, anticipation is beginning to build for what promises to be one of the more distinctive theatrical offerings of the fall season.
When the curtain rises in October, audiences will not be watching productions imported from another city or adapted from long-established Broadway catalogs. Instead, they will be witnessing two original musicals born from local imagination, shaped through community support and brought to life on a Grants Pass stage.
For theater lovers throughout Southern Oregon, the performances will offer a rare chance to experience new works at the very beginning of their journey, while celebrating a decade of community theater that continues to invest in local creativity.