'Strand Theater' is Baltimore's newest troupe

Baltimore has a new community theater troupe, and it will emphasize new
work by, for and about women.

The Strand Theater will have an open house April 20 at its new, 65-seat
space on North Charles Street. This summer, the company headed by local
director Jayme Kilburn will stage its first production, Tim Paggi's
"Nonstop Realism." The show will be performed July 10-27 as part of the
Baltimore Playwrights Festival.

Kilburn says a local businesswoman who interested in revitalizing the
Station North District is donating the space and the cost of the
renovation. (The troupe's benefactor wishes to remain anonymous.) The
theater at 1823 N. Charles St. -- one block north of Everyman Theatre
and the Charles -- also will provide a performing home for other small,
cash-strapped arts groups.

"We're trying to keep this as affordable as possible for other arts
groups," Kilburn says. "Sometimes you don't have $500 for a deposit on a
hall."

The April 20 event, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., will include performances by
Single Carrot Theatre, BIG Improv, and Love the Poet, music by Baby
Aspirin and King Cloud, and a playwright and acting workshop.

The theater came by its mission because of the dearth of good roles for
women. It came by its venue because Kilburn tends bar at a local
Charles Street club owned by her patron. And it came by its name
because the patron, who also is an antiques dealer, happened to have a
vintage sign with the elegant moniker, "The Strand."

Sounds like serependity on all accounts.