After more than a year of anticipation, supporters of StageDwellers Productions will have the opportunity to preview StageDwellers performance of Standing On My Knees by John Oliver from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 22, at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market, Cortez.
Five students from Montezuma-Cortez High School will travel to Scotland in August to perform the show in front of international audiences at The Fringe Festival as part of the American High School Theatre Festival.
More than 1,000 schools were invited to apply to participate in The Fringe Festival. Of those, StageDwellers Productions was one of only 50 student groups accepted.
Standing On My Knees is about one womans struggle with the social ramifications of mental illness and the challenge of accepting her talent as a writer. Mature content and language are present in the show.
The preview at the Cultural Center is an opportunity for the students to share the results of all their hard work with the community that has supported them through their quest, and is free of charge. There will be a silent auction, and a raffle of a .17 Savage Rifle, a handmade wooden pool cue, and a riding saddle and blanket. Raffle items and silent auction items, including camping and hiking gear, jewelry, sand art and gift certificates, were generously donated by merchants in the Cortez and Durango areas. Proceeds generated by the raffle and silent auction are the last fundraising event for the group, and will go toward the students trip. Raffle tickets are available at the Welcome Center and the Cortez Cultural Center. Admission to the show is free, but donations are welcome.
Seating for Standing On My Knees is limited; reserve your seat in advance by calling the Cortez Cultural Center at 565-1151.