Rehearsals continue for Nativity
The Christmas season has officially begun and preparations are underway for the upcoming 2018 performance of the Albany Nativity.
The cast members have been busy rehearsing, costumes were sent to the cleaners, crew members are working on the sets at the Aztec Theater, and both a children’s and an adult choir are being organized.
Letters were sent home with local second through fifth grade students. The letters reminded parents that everyone that wants to be in the choir must be available for both performance nights, Dec. 14 and 15.
“We are accepting 40 children for the choir,” said director Lorna Ayers. “Children need to return their signed form to their classroom teacher as soon as possible to guarantee them a spot. I know there are many activities competing for these kids’ time, but we are hopeful that families can commit to this wonderful tradition that only comes around once every two years.”
The adult choir is managed by Sandy Abel, and practices are currently underway.
“Admission to the Nativity is free and general admission tickets will be available at the door,” said the director.
Ayers directed the biennial play for the first time in 2014.
Background Info
The Nativity celebrates the advent and birth of Jesus Christ and is offered as Albany’s “free gift to its people and the people of the area.”
Robert Nail wrote the production in 1939 and directed the presentation until his death in 1968.
The first performance was on Dec. 18, 1939 in the Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church.
From 1952 until 1982, the play was presented in the auditorium of Nancy Smith Elementary School.
When the auditorium at NSES was converted to classrooms, the Nativity was put on the shelf until the renovated Aztec Theater offered it a new home in 1991.
Marge Bray directed the play seven times after Nail’s death, including in 1991 after a nine-year-lapse.
Jeanine Hill directed the pageant from 2004 to 2010.
The play was not produced in 2012 due to scheduling conflicts.
The Fandangle Association sponsored and financed the Nativity for many years, but in 1994, a separate board of directors was set up to coordinate the production. They established the Marge Bray Memorial Fund to help finance the Christmas drama.
Tickets
This year the Albany Nativity will be presented for two performances only, each show starting at 7:30 p.m. on the evenings of Friday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 15.
Complimentary tickets to the live drama will be available at the door of the Aztec Theater on show nights until all 280 seats are taken or the curtain rises, whichever occurs first.
