Theater gets localized

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RICHMOND – By day, Mike Delemont is an engineer who designs bridges.

But since November, he has spent his evenings rehearsing for a the debut performance by a start-up theater group called Theater Undreground.

"It's kind of an artistic side, rather than a mathematical side," said Delemont, of Crystal Lake. "It's an outlet for creativity."

The group will debut its first show, "Let the Games Begin," at 8 p.m. Friday. The show also will be performed at 8 p.m. Saturday and Jan. 30-31.

"Let the Games Begin" was written by Crystal Lake resident Colleen Bryan-Forstrom and is a a six-scene, one-act play about the communication struggles in relationships. It's based on a couple who visit a store showroom to lease a relationship interpreter.

Delemont, 31, plays one of the model male customers.

"[The couple] gets to watch how it works with an interpreter," Delemont said.

Theater Undreground formed in November, with the goal of establishing a hyper-local theater organization. Founders want to use as much local talent in their shows as they can – from performers and stage crew to local playwrights and musicians.

"We definitely want to grab some local talent; there's lots of it out there," said David Baker of Woodstock, another founding member. "Let's give them a stage; let's bring them all in."

Although the group hasn't chosen its next production yet, it has ambitious plans for the type of performances it'll do. Baker said members are considering plays in which audience members get to be on stage and performers are in the crowd, or plays in which performers go into the crowd to interact with the audience, so that theater feels less like going to a movie.

"If you look around today, I think people are just begging to be entertained," he said. "I want to involve the people."

The group plans to incorporate as a nonprofit organization in coming months and hopes eventually to pay performers.

In the meantime, membership in the theater group is informal. Anyone can join, and members aren't limited to performing only with Theater Undreground.

Anyone interested in joining the group can join the Theater Undreground on Facebook and contact members at the performance or online.

If you go

What: The Riverview Theatre Company and Theater Undreground's debut performance of "Let the Games Begin."

When: 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Jan. 30-31.

Where: Memorial Hall Civic Theatre, 10308 Main St., Richmond.

Cost: Tickets are $8.

For information, call 815-206-4759 or search for Theater Undreground on Facebook.