By Josephine Norris, Photo Editor.
The audience is abuzz with anticipation, speaking in murmurs as they wait for the performance of “Godspell” at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bay City to begin. Backstage cast members made up of pastors, baristas and other everyday people from the tri-cities hurry to prepare for the night. They apply makeup, warm up their voices and place their props to ensure a smooth performance.
Carly Peil, 19, of Auburn, Mich. has performed with several theater organizations since the beginning of her theater career at age 9. She has even performed in previous “Godspell” shows throughout the years, but pre-show jitters still get to her.
As the places are called and the lights go down, the audience and cast embark upon a magical trip back to biblical times as the parables and ministry of Jesus Christ is brought to life.
A launching pad and playground
“The arts are essential to a community’s well-being because they remind us that life has a higher purpose than the mundane,” said Ron Zeigler, a Fields Service Director for the American Association of Community Theater. Zeigler helps organize and advise state theater associations across the nation.
The tri-city area is home to several longstanding community theater organizations such as Pit and Balcony in Saginaw, Bay City Players in Bay City and Midland Center for the Arts’ Center Stage Theatre in Midland.
“There is a trend of community theaters failing. Some communities see the value and those theaters continue to thrive,” said Tommy Wedge, instructor of theater at Saginaw Valley State University, who has directed many productions at Pit and Balcony.
These theaters have served as launching pads for actors such as Brian D’ Arcy James of Saginaw. He is currently starring in the Broadway show, “Something Rotten.” As a young person, D’ Arcy was active at Pit and Balcony as well as Midland Center for the Arts.
“If there had been no community theater, would there be a Brian D’ Arcy James on Broadway?” asked Martha Humphreys, president of Pit and Balcony for the past two years.
The majority of participants in community theater are not aspiring actors, but rather, regular people with a typical 9-5 job who have a knack for the dramatic.
Sending a message
Community theater can also begin dialogue on important issues in society with shows such as “Next to Normal,” performed at Pit and Balcony last spring. “ Next to Normal” is dealing with mental illness in a very real and compassionate way,” said Humphreys. “Unless these things are addressed, then they are going to stay the same. “
Another show that has created dialogue has been the rock musical “Spring Awakening.” Peil played the role of Elsa in the 2014 Pit and Balcony production of the musical.
The musical dealt with topics such as teenage sexuality, suicide, depression and homosexuality. “It’s hard subject matter and it’s dark and profane. We were nervous going into it, but people thanked us for bringing this stuff to life,” Peil said. “To see these intimate moments and these intimate things and intimate topics, it’s really powerful to see that on a stage.”
Giving children a voice
According to the American Alliance for Theater and Education, theater education improves academic performance, builds self-esteem and students who are involved in theater outscore their non-theater peers on tests such as the SAT.
“As a child, to interact with adults and have that high bar set for you, it really increases your confidence,” said Emily Anderson, who has been involved with Center Stage Theatre since she was 16, not only a performer, but as a leader in the organization.
Her involvement in community theater has not only been a hobby and occupation, but a place to find love. Anderson met her husband working on “Hello Dolly” when she was in high school. “We were a show-mance and somehow made it through.”
Helping to fuel the local economy
According to a study done by AmericansForTheArts.org, nonprofit community theaters contribute to the $61.1 billion generated by nonprofit arts organizations. Add to this figure the $74.1 billion dollars spent on event-related expenditures by audience members. This money is being brought back into the communities of these theaters.
Having a common ground in theater is especially valuable for a community like Saginaw, according to Humphreys. “Saginaw is an extraordinarily diverse community. Theater is all about inclusiveness and I think that’s the biggest role we can play.”
Getting involved
Getting involved in community theater is easier than you think, and being involved could mean performing to backstage work, office work, costuming, lighting and sound design. There is a place for everyone.
“Just give it a try one time and see how it affects you. I think that is something that people underestimate: that art changes lives. Art helps people find parts of themselves that they never knew. Art helps people be more comfortable with themselves,” said Peil.
The cast leaves the stage after the finale, the audience rises to their feet applauding the performance. They are released from the spell the show cast upon them. As they leave, the performance becomes a memory of a night where members of the community came together in the name of theater and left a mark.