Caroline Lapinski of Dunmore, a multi-faceted theater arts major with a concentration in playwriting in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program at Point Park University, Pittsburgh, has joined Scranton Shakespeare Festival this season as a junior producer.
The talented Dunmorean first became involved in theater as a nine-year-old attending Camp Daleville where she played the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz.
The youngster continued with the Green Ridge Youth Theater, which is now defunct, and studied for nine years at Linn McDonald Dance Studio.
“I absolutely fell in love with acting and theater,” says the 21-year-old who is the daughter of Josephine Doherty of Dunmore. Caroline has two siblings, Catelyn Lapinski and Anne Doherty.
Later at Scranton Prep, where she was graduated in 2020, Caroline acted in school productions of Almost Maine, A Wrinkle in Time, Rags, Mamma Mia, and Cinderella.
These positive experiences prompted Caroline to move on to study at Point Park where she has served as assistant director for a Mainstage Production of the musical Newsies at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
She has also directed four productions, including one-act comedies such as Really This Is It, which Caroline wrote, and A Lovely Day for a Boating Trip and To Kill Your Spouse.
The young playwright prefers writing comedies. “They just come easier to me for some reason,” she says.
At Point Park she has been a producer for the student-run Bridges Theater Company, which she serves as associate artistic director. She has taken the lead in producing a one-person show entitled A Devised Piece, as well as a comedic cabaret, 10,000 Ways the Universe Does Not Have Your Back.
As if directing and producing is not enough, Caroline served as dramaturg for Ride the Cyclone, a musical taking place in Ukraine. She helped the cast with accents, costumes, and understanding Ukraine culture, which came naturally since Caroline is Ukrainian on her paternal side.
“I knew some of the culture already, since my family has incorporated Ukrainian Christmas and Easter traditions into our holidays,” she points out.
If anything has been put on the back burner, it would be acting, although Caroline appeared in Degas C’est Moi, and understudied for a role in an original work entitled Today I Looked Up.
“I’ve taken a step back from acting for now in order to learn other career options available in the theater,” Caroline explains.
Consequently, she is excited about her upcoming summer with Scranton Shakes.
“People speak so positively about their experience with this organization,” Caroline points out.
“And I would have to say that my initial introduction to the Scranton Shakespeare Festival really has been wonderful.”
Her first task upon arriving at the ShakesSpace, a new performing venue donated to the organization by the Marketplace at Steamtown, was to assist with an enormously popular fundraiser on May 21. Entitled A Sunday in Steamtown with Sondheim, it was conceptualized by SSF artistic director Michael Bradshaw Flynn with music direction by Stephen Murphy and received multiple standing ovations from two sold-out audiences.
The cabaret salute featured 20-plus Sondheim classics as well as a reception for premium ticket holders with such clever snacks as Mrs. Lovett’s Meat Pies (Sweeney Todd); Desiree’s Sandwiches (A Little Night Music), Brie and Cranberry Bites (Sunday in the Park With George) and Bobby’s 35th Birthday Party Cake (Company), among other treats.
It was also exciting for Caroline to see her former Prep director, Colin Holmes, in the show, along with her mentor, Billie Aken Tyers.
“Billie is the one who encouraged me to apply for the junior producer position at ScrantonShakes,” Caroline reveals. “I am excited to get the job.”
Caroline is now busy assisting with planning an opening night ribbon-cutting and reception prior to the season opener, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, on Thursday, June 22.
In addition to facilitating events, other duties she will tackle for the summer–along with fellow junior producer Point Park University student Jeramie Welch–will be company management, coming up with fund-raising ideas, and helping any place she is needed.
“I love the new space for Scranton Shakespeare Festival,” she notes. “I love an intimate space for theater, and I can already feel how collaborative, friendly, and supportive this organization is.
“And I am proud to be part of Scranton Shakespeare Festival’s mission to bring free and accessible professional theater to this community. I absolutely adore this area, and am so excited to be part of this experience.”
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Note: Information on mainstage productions of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Shakespeare’s Othello, and the musical Rent can be found at ScrantonShakes.com, along with the Youth Ensemble’s productions of Twelfth Night and the Percy Jackson musical The Lightning Thief can be found at ScrantonShakes.com. All performances are free and handicapped accessible.