New Year's Eve Ramblings!

At rehearsal one night, there was some confusion among our younger cast members’ parents about who needed to be at rehearsal. On the schedule I had listed the scene and put the word “All except” and then listed a couple of specific adult characters. Rehearsal starts and we were missing quite a few children so I started making some phone calls to find out where they were and the parents’ response was “oh I didn’t think they needed to come tonight”. I told the cast, “I know some of you think that the theatre has some sort of mysterious, secret language but the word “all” means the same as it does everywhere else”.

People often think that what we do in the theatre is mysterious and magical. One of my favorite memories of someone assuming we were a little more magical than we actually are was during a performance of “Camelot.” The actor playing Merlyn (in full flowing beard and robes) was walking his fellow castmember “Horrid” the dog outside during a performance. A police officer pulled up in his car, looked suspiciously at the actor and said “Are you in a play?” The actor replied that yes he was in the production of Camelot at the theatre. The officer said “What do you play?” The actor said I’m Merlyn the wizard. The officer then looked at the dog and said “Is he in the play?” The actor said yes and the police officer followed with “What does he play?” The actor responded “A dog.” We’re good but not that good. So just like “all” means “all”, dogs pretty much have to play dogs.

I used to have a board member who referred to the “magic of the theatre”. I finally told him that if all the people involved propped our feet up on the desk and waited for the magic to take over – then we would be in trouble. The magical part of it all is not in a secret language or in some sort of supernatural force that does the work for us but in the dedication and commitment that the people involved bring to the productions. The community of community theatre. The good things that happen onstage go fairly quickly to the back of our memories. We all take the greatest delight in the things that went wrong, the war stories of missed entrances and lines, props that didn’t work, costumes that ripped – the things that somehow we all got through together – as a community.

High Point Community Theatre began in 1976, partially funded in its initial years by the Parks & Recreation Department and then nurtured (and often paid for) by loving volunteers as it grew into its own corporation, separate from the City of High Point. We are an affiliate of the High Point Arts Council but raise the majority of our operating budget through ticket sales and corporate and individual support. Those persons and companies who help pay the bills are an integral part of our community.

In addition we have a dedicated board of directors. Over our 32 seasons, we have had 100s of people who give their time, talent, energy and often financial resources to keep a strong community theatre in our town. They sell advertising and tickets; paint the sets; drive the truck; and most importantly advocate for the organization.

We have strong audience support whether it is from people who come see everything that we do or those who come because their niece is the 5th dancer from the end on the 3rd row. Everyone who comes to a production becomes part of our community and usually walks away amazed by the talent of their neighbors.

But the people who are the heart of the organization are our actors and crew members. With each show, people from all over the area – people who would in all likelihood never meet otherwise – come together. They come in all ages, religions, races, professions, socio-economic levels and political leanings (it’s always tons of fun to have a rehearsal on election night). They come with varying degrees of experience and talent; they come for many different reasons – teenagers who hope to be professional actors and teenagers who want to have an excuse to be out of their house; there are adults who long for the thrill they felt being in their high school production of “West Side Story” and adults who have never stepped on stage before but have always wanted to. They come for whatever reason – and somehow in the 7 or so weeks of working together on the common goal of building the best production they can – they become a family. I have seen it over and over again. The 80 year old widower who got involved after his wife passed away; the shy 12 year old boy who isn't good at sports; the newcomer to town who does not know a soul. I love nothing more than to get a phone call saying “I just moved to the area (or in some cases, am thinking about moving to the area) and I want to get involved” I know that what these people will find is an instant community in their new home town – one that will welcome them and support them. Typically 50% of each cast are newcomers to HPCT. So our community is ever-expanding.

Historically, in difficult times: wars, depressions, disasters, the arts in general and the theatre specifically have flourished. People have desperately sought out contact. But today, we live in the “netflix” society. So many people sequester themselves at home with dvds, computers, and other home entertainment items that it takes a brave soul to venture out. So I find it very brave of these people who come in search of the contact and community building that happens while building a play – and there-in lies the magic.

In a community theatre situation, we are the servant of two masters. The first is the audience. We need to build quality shows that people are willing to pay to see. We need to be a good investment for the corporate community as we fundraise. We need to be a good steward of the money that people contribute. We need to produce.

The second and equally important part of our mission is to have a process that is positive for our actors and other volunteers. One that helps them reach their potential, one that fosters teamwork, one that in some measure compensates them for the time and energy they bring.

Our greatest goal is to balance the need for an outstanding product and a fun, affirming process in a way that is the most successful for all of us. To achieve this goal, it takes a great deal of dedication and hard work, great attitudes and generous spirits by our board of directors, artistic staffs, actors, crews and other volunteers. As HPCT continues its 32nd year of bringing quality community theatre to our area, I would like to thank the many, many individuals who have supported this organization over the years.

I would also like to encourage you to join your neighbors, onstage, backstage or in the audience. Or those of you currently members of our family, invite others to join you. Our community always has room for one more. Come help us make the magic!

On behalf of the HPCT Board of Directors, I wish you a wonderful 2009!

Jennifer