“Skits-O-Frenia – The Historical Hysterical Histrionics Skit Festival” will kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Chilkat Center.
The Foundation for the Chilkat Center for the Arts and the Lynn Canal Community Players are putting on the festival to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Chilkat Center.
According to a press release, the U.S. Army floated a former cannery building from Pyramid Harbor around the peninsula to Portage Cove in 1926 and hauled it up to its present location at Fort Seward. The building became the entertainment center for the community.
Through the years, the Chilkat Center has hosted performing artists from around the world, conferences and conventions as well as local and school productions.
Skits-O-Frenia is an event that could be considered a “mini-ACTFEST”, which made Haines the theater festival center for the state for many years.
The audience this year will be treated to a collection of at least nine locally written short, humorous skits heralding Haines’ past characters and events – including famous characters like Charles Anway, Tim Vogel, Three-Per the Bear, William Henry Seward, George Davidson and Koh’Klux, as well as Lib and Whitey Hakkinen and Steve Vick, to name a few.
The presentations will be judged with awards presented. “We’re not getting too hung up on the competition side of this event,” said organizer Tresham Gregg. “But we’re looking to give everyone a good chuckle. It is more of an ensemble effort with everyone pitching in to make each skit come alive.”
This event is a fundraiser for the Chilkat Center. It will include a pre-show reception to get people in the mood, anniversary cake and a silent auction with a variety of items. The items include an Alaska Seaplanes trip to Juneau, dinners at local restaurants, artworks and river rafting.
Tickets are on sale at the Babbling Book and at the door. The prices are $7 for youths up to 18 years old, $12 for adults and $35 for a family.