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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Using the sky as a curtain and the sun as a chandelier, a few local playwrights plan to stage a string of plays in the biggest and most beautiful theatre in town. They are part of the second annual Theatre on the Lake, an outdoor play festival scheduled to return in late July.

The festival debuted last year on the shore of Frame Lake beside the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. A team of local actors and writers presented two works by local playwright Chris Gamble, The Assassin's Alibi and The Picnic, along with an excerpt from Squirrels, a satirical play by American writer David Mamet. The cast included Jay Boast, Kamey Dunbar, Kira Hall, Devon Hall and Roger Wah-Shee, among several other local actors.

Musician Roger Wah-Shee plays The Farmer in Chris Gamble's original play, The Assassin's Alibi, during last year's Theatre on the Lake. - photo courtesy of Chris Gamble

Wah-Shee played The Farmer in The Assassin's Alibi and Otter in The Picnic. It was the novice actor's first time on stage.

"I was looking for something to do over the summer and I figured it would be a lot of fun," Wah-Shee said. "It was a really great experience. I think if anyone's got the acting bug this is a great local opportunity to work with some creative minds and have a really unique summer experience. I encourage anybody to give it a try."

Large, enthusiastic audiences turned out for all of last year's noon-hour and evening performances. Many office workers brought brown bag lunches to the event and several families used the occasion to have a picnic in the grass.

"People come to theatre on the Lake because they want to see something that's fun and enjoyable in a picturesque setting," Gamble said. "It's a way to enjoy the short Yellowknife summer while still taking in some theatre."

The organizers are looking for playwrights, actors, directors and stagehands to join this year's festival. Experienced bards and first-time thespians alike are encouraged to step up.

"We're hoping to get more than three productions this year and we'd really like to get more people involved," Gamble said.

Gamble suggests one-act playwrights tackle comedy because comic plots usually lend themselves to lots of movement and lively expression. Plays must be under 40 minutes long.

Auditions for actors will be held at the end of May and the plays will run at the end of July following Folk on the Rocks. For an application to stage a play during the festival, contact theatreonthelake@gmail.com. Deadline is May 13.