She’s Adding a Little Drama to Culver City Lives

Westside residents have had the chance to see classic theater for free for the last six years thanks to Anne Laskey and a small group of dedicated supporters and a volunteer cast. And this year will be no different.

Laskey, founder of Culver City’s Theater in the Park program, said she became interested in theater as a child because her family made frequent trips to see plays, musicals and shows.

“I have always enjoyed classic theater,” said the 30-year-old Los Angeles resident. “When I was young, I saw really fun, energetic performances of Shakespeare.”

Her interest in theater led her to UC Santa Barbara, where she studied directing and acting. After graduating, she worked in several community theaters but found that few theaters performed classic plays.

“There was very little opportunity so I decided to form my own group,” she said. “I found the City of Culver City was willing . . . they provided the space and have been very supportive of our efforts.”

She has dedicated herself to finding and producing classic plays that are not well known to casual theatergoers.

This season will open July 31 with Henrik Ibsen’s epic fantasy “Peer Gynt.” It will be followed by Richard Cumberland’s comedy “The West Indian” and Pierre Cornielle’s romantic drama “Le Cid”.

Although Theater in the Park is not funded by the city of Culver City, the city’s Human Service Department donates use of the park. Laskey and her crew must raise money each year for the costumes and props that are critical to producing the plays.

Despite working on a shoestring budget, Laskey said the cast maintains a high level of enthusiasm.

“There is no way to do this without energy,” she said. “It’s fun and that’s the main thing we stress, because we all have other jobs. So this has to be fun, otherwise its not worth anybody’s time.”

Performances are held in Paul Carlson Park at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays for six consecutive weeks beginning July 31.

Seating is on the ground so theatergoers are encouraged to bring folding chairs. Admission is free.

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The J. Paul Getty Trust has selected four summer undergraduate interns.

Interns are UCLA students Stacey Hong, Michelle Roland, Steven Shum and Charles Taylor.

They each will receive a $3,000 stipend and will work on various programs of the Trust.

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Temple Beth Am Congregation honored Marjorie Pressman for her more than 40 years of involvement at the congregation and in the community.

Pressman is a past president of the Women’s League of Conservative Judaism and is an executive board member of the women’s division of Israel Bonds.

She was recognized at Temple Beth Am’s annual dinner, held June 16 at the synagogue in Los Angeles.

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The Los Angeles Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America bestowed its 1993 Distinguished Good Scout Award to Gregory Schultz, senior vice president of MS Management Services.

Schultz, recognized for his service to the community and his professional achievements, was honored at a reception June 16 at the Hotel Inter-Continental in Los Angeles.

He is a resident of Pacific Palisades.

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Emily Bost attended the 16th annual Southern California Youth Citizen Seminar held July 6-10 at Pepperdine University in Malibu.

The seminar focused on the foundations of America’s heritage. Participants, all of whom ranked in the top quarter of their classes, were nominated by their principals and guidance counselors on the basis of character, scholarship and leadership ability.

Bost is a senior at Santa Monica High School.

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Marion and Jules Porter were honored by Sinai Temple at a dinner dance held last month in Los Angeles.

The Porters, longtime supporters of the temple, were honored for their volunteer efforts and community involvement.

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