The Guadalajara Reporter

The Naked Stage: Only the bare essentials

The Naked Stage concept exists around the world under various names including “Readers’ Theater” and “Bare Bones Theater.” Long-time Lakeside resident Jeritza McCarter founded one as an expat in Japan, which is still going. In 2009 she brought the idea to Lakeside where it has flourished and the entire community benefits as all profits go to the Red Cross. 

The philosophy is simple. There is nothing on stage: no set, props, costumes, stage lights, music or microphones. The actors are seated, read their lines and wear black. The absence of visual “clues” allows their voices and words to stimulate audiences’ creative imaginations. This approach works to such an extent that no two people’s recollections of a production are identical. “It’s just like radio,” McCarter says, quoting some audience feedback: “As a matter of fact, I preferred the costumes in the last show,” and “I don’t know how she held all those cards in one hand.” Her irrepressible grin says it all.

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