Renaissance Center plans Community Theatre gala

Release Date: 4/24/2002. Expired: 7/12/2002

The Renaissance Center is hosting a party. And we’re all invited!

On July 12, opening night of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Renaissance Center will hold a gala in honor of all past Community Theatre participants and all future ones as well.

Renaissance Players Community Theatre Gala July 12th at 5:30pm in the Renaissance Center Rotunda

Kim Leavitt, managing director of Theatre Education and Community Outreach for The Renaissance Center, said the gala is a “huge kick-off party for our Community Theatre.”

“In the past three years The Renaissance Center has been in existence, we have steadily built up a wonderful group of community theatre actors and technicians,” Leavitt said. “The gala is a way of thanking those people that have done shows with us and a way of encouraging new people who haven’t done shows with us to come join in the fun. What better way to do that than throw a party?”

There will be a reception, food and information, Leavitt said. Attendees will learn how they can participate in all aspects of community theatre, from sewing and making props, to acting and directing. Many people think theatre is all about acting. Not true, says Leavitt.

“We would love to have people from the community directing shows, making costumes, building sets,” she said. “We want our participants to have a hand in the success of the community theatre program as a whole.”

The group will also have a new name: The Renaissance Players.

“We went with the term ‘Players’ because in Shakespeare’s time the word ‘actor’ was considered too formal by many theatre companies. ‘Player’ denotes an element of fun. And inclusion. That’s what our community theatre program is all about. Everyone meeting together to have fun,” says Leavitt.

Leavitt said The Renaissance Center is diligent in its goal to make everyone in the community feel they have a place with The Renaissance Players.

“Many people are terrified to set foot on stage. But we have a lot of other areas where they can be involved. Community Theatre is more than just showing up to do a show. It’s about being part of a group and feeling like you belong to a family.”

In addition to a new name, the Community Theatre will present six productions each year instead of four.

“We’re doing a great mix of musicals and plays,” Leavitt said. The upcoming season will include shows like Harvey, The Sound of Music, A Christmas Story, and Arsenic and Old Lace.

“Theatre is a great activity for families to become involved in,” Leavitt said. “Moms and dads can bring their kids and all of them can be involved in a show.”

Leavitt said community theatre is going yet another step further.

“Here at The Renaissance Center, we are in the unique position of not only having a state-of-the-art facility to work out of, but we can also provide an educational outlet for community theatre participants.”

Classes in Acting, Directing, Stagecraft, Costuming and Lighting Design are just a few of the courses offered by The Renaissance Center’s Theatre Education department.

“If someone is interested in directing but not really sure how to do it, they can take a class here and we will teach them what they need to know,” Leavitt said.

This year’s party won’t be the last, promised Leavitt. The Renaissance Players will make the summer gala an annual celebration.

“At the end of each season, we will be holding an awards ceremony much like the Oscars. People will be nominated in categories like Best Actress in a Play or Best Costumer. It will be a wonderful way to acknowledge our community theatre family for all their hard work.”

For more information about becoming involved with The Renaissance Players or to inquire about classes call Leavitt at (615)740-5551.

The Renaissance Center is located at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, just 35 minutes west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172.

Visit the Theatre page for more about community and professional theatre.

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