Scranton Shakespeare Festival has new permanent home at Marywood
A new partnership between the Scranton Shakespeare Festival and Marywood University will bring growth to both, university and festival leaders said at a signing ceremony Aug. 24.
The festival will have a permanent home that is more than 10 times the size of its current theater at the Marketplace at Steamtown, plus access to an outdoor amphitheater.
After 15 seasons, the professional theater troupe will no longer be a nomad, searching for other spaces in the community for shows that can draw a big crowd.
The festival will be leaving its 100-seat space at the Marketplace over the next several weeks.
The festival also will benefit from working with students, Dawn McGurl, chair of the festival board of directors, said during the ceremony. The festival will mentor students, present guest speakers and provide other opportunities. Some of the festival’s shows are produced during the school year, although most are during the summer.
University President Lisa A. Lori, J.D., said the arts have always been an important part of Marywood. “And as we look ahead, we want to build on that history with a larger vision. And that larger vision is to make Marywood University a cultural hub for the arts for Northeastern Pennsylvania.”
The event was a ceremonial start for a new School of Communications, which reorganized some programs.
Greater Carbondale YMCA to hold Fall Festival
The Greater Carbondale YMCA will hold its Fall Festival on Sunday, Sept. 27, from noon to 4 p.m. at the facility at 82 N. Main St., Carbondale. The afternoon will feature fun, entertainment and activities for the whole family.
The festival will include bounce houses, the Imagination Playground and fall-themed games taking place all afternoon. The excitement continues with free swimming from noon to 3:30 p.m. Youth of all ages — including the young at heart — can paint their own pumpkin for $5.
Attendees can stop by the Cookie Walk. For $10, they can fill a container with an assortment of homemade cookies. There will also be plenty of food options. Ray’s Porketta food truck and Lou’s Mini Doughnut truck will be on hand.
For more information, call the Greater Carbondale YMCA at 570-282-2210, visit greatercarbondaleymca.org or email James Wiggins, senior program director, at jwiggins@gc-ymca.org.