Creativity born of chaos
The pandemic and a health challenge led to this online-only theater company, which will live-stream an Oscar Wilde play from July 24-27.
Brittni Kather, from Walnut, Mississippi, will play Cecily in the Unboxed Productions performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest.” [Submitted photo]
Watching actors perform a classic play can be one of life’s great pleasures. And, in this case, you can do it the setting of your own choosing.
Unboxed Productions, an online-only theater company, will present Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” on July 24, 25, 26 and 27. The actors are directed live with costuming, props and backdrops. The audience members and actors have an opportunity to meet virtually after the show.
The role of Lane will be played by Ocala’s own Dave Schlenker. [Submitted photo]
The director, Jan Thomas, is from Indianapolis. Thomas and Kim Lynette Sandstrom, of Ocala, are the co-founders of Unboxed Productions.
“It is estimated that approximately 3,500 audience members have seen UP productions in the last five years. UP has produced approximately 20 full productions since their creation,” Sandstrom noted in a news release.
Unboxed Productions began during the pandemic, bringing a hybrid-style of theater, performed for a live audience, streaming online only. As the pandemic wound down, Sandstrom and Thomas, best friends for decades, decided they had “something” that would have meaning for those who were challenged with mobility issues.
“In other words, if you are unable to drive, walk or stand long, UP provides a fully accessible theater experience, from the comfort of both the actor’s and the audience member’s home,” according to the news release.
Local actor Bruce Seaman will play Jack in the production. [Submitted photo]
This was never more relevant than when Sandstrom, in late May of 2024, suddenly lost five inches of her spine in a matter of weeks, due to a collapsed vertebrae and 14 broken vertebrae and a broken sacrum, according to the provided materials.
At the time, she thought that would be the end of her lifelong journey in theater. She said she was told there was no surgery suitable for her condition and was advised to go into palliative care. After weeks of hospitalization, Sandstrom, a mother of five who is a disabled veteran, said she utilized VA physical therapy and began to stand and walk again.
By August, she began directing former pastor and board member Bruce Seaman in “Plato’s Apology” from her home hospital bed. There were times she could only speak in a whisper as her oxygen was compromised due to collapsed vertebrae. She thought about giving up, but reminded herself of the creative endeavor she and Thomas had organized, she shared in the release.
The role of Miss Prism will be performed by Erin McGrew, of Dallas, Texas. [Submitted photo]
The performances of “The Importance of Being Earnest” will take place at 7 p.m. EST on July 24 and 25 and 4 p.m. EST on July 26 and 27. Links are secured by a suggested donation of $15, through gofundme.com/f/unboxedproductionskim
According to the release, Unboxed Productions will give a portion of net donations from this show to Disarming Love. It’s directed by Denise Miller and provides support to children and families of the incarcerated. Past recipients of charitable giving include The Lost and Found Club, Project Hope, a refugee organization in Ukraine, Oxford Lutheran in The Villages and Saints on Stage, a youth theater organization.
The theater company is always looking for actors, directors and others to help with productions.
To learn more, go to unboxedproductions.org or email [email protected]
Support community journalism
The first goal of the Ocala Gazette is to deliver trustworthy local journalism so corruption, misinformation and abuse are not hidden from the public or unchallenged.
