Anchorage Community Theatre Celebrates 71 Years with the Magic of Radio Dramas
Contributed by Carrie Smith
For the past several years, Anchorage Community Theatre (ACT) has delighted audiences with live radio dramas, a unique theatrical experience that brings classic stories to life through sound. From The Great Gatsby to Dracula, ACT has consistently showcased the charm of this nostalgic art form. This 71st season has seen an exciting uptick in productions, including The Invisible Man, The Curious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Time Machine, and the upcoming holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol.
Radio dramas are an appealing addition to ACT’s offerings due to their shorter rehearsal schedules—usually just two weeks, compared to the standard six to eight weeks for traditional productions. In some cases, they’ve even been mounted in as little as seven days! With large casts, these productions also allow more community members to participate, furthering ACT’s mission of inclusivity.
For the performers, radio dramas offer a unique challenge. With scripts in hand during live shows, they can focus on honing their voice-acting skills, often discovering talents they didn’t know they had. Meanwhile, the foley artist becomes a character in their own right, creating captivating sound effects with everyday items. A crumpled piece of cellophane mimics a fire, a swatch of fabric recreates the rustle of a ball gown, and shoes tapped on different surfaces replicate footsteps on cobblestones or forest floors. These auditory elements, combined with the actors’ voices and a narrator’s vivid descriptions, transport audiences to another time and place.
This December, ACT presents A Christmas Carol at the Anchorage Senior Activities Center on December 21 and 22. With 15 cast members playing multiple roles and two foley artists adding creative sound effects, this production promises to be a festive and unforgettable experience.
ACT’s live radio dramas are a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and community, and this 71st season has proven that the art form continues to captivate audiences of all ages. Don’t miss your chance to join the magic—come see A Christmas Carol and celebrate the holidays with Anchorage Community Theatre.
Playwright Credits:
Dracula! The Radio Play by Philip Grecian, based on his own stage play and on the novel by Bram Stoker.
The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry, based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Invisible Man: A Live Radio Play by Matt Fernandez, based on the sci-fi novella by H.G. Wells.
The Curious Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: A Live Radio Play by P. Shane Mitchell, based on the gothic novella by Robert Louis Stevenson.
The Time Machine: A Live Radio Play by John de Lancie, from the script by Nat Segaloff, based on the original story by H.G. Wells.
A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play by Carrie Smith, based on the story by Charles Dickens.