16/Nov/2008
Community Theatre Comes to Zachary
By Emily Holden
Options have expanded for Zachary residents searching for local entertainment on the weekend. Now community members can spend the evening at Zachary Art House Theatre, the newest addition to the area's cultural offering.
Executive Director Kelly Lee said the Art House, which opened in October, is "eagerly searching for rehearsal space and office space." Productions will be held in the Zachary High School auditorium until further notice.
Lee was previously director of Baker Little Theatre, which has closed since the opening of the Art House. BLT was 30 years old, but Lee said it had been struggling for the past three to five years.
Lee said most of the cast members for BLT’s final production, “Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine,” were from Zachary. After talks with the cast, she realized the influx of young families in Zachary could easily support a community theater. So she approached the Chamber of Commerce to find out what it would take to start a theater in the area.
Rental agreements
Scott Swilley, Zachary Community School Board vice president, said the Art House does not currently have a long-term rental agreement with the School Board.
“They’re just trying to feel this thing out themselves,” he said.
Swilley said the School Board is working to develop a set procedure for parties interested in renting the auditorium. He said the school will always have first priority to use the building.
“The Zachary Art House, I think, brings a lot to Zachary,” he said. “ It’s a good thing that they would like to move to Zachary, in my personal opinion.
Productions
The Art House's first production, “Got the Picture?”, was planned to debut on October 24 but has been postponed until the spring due to an injured actor. The play, written by Louisiana native Larry Gray, was included in the BLT Summer Spotlight series of original plays by local authors.
According to Lee, the cast consists mainly of young professionals. "They are established community theatre actors, which really is the reason I wanted them for the first show in Zachary, because this show, “Got the Picture?”, is basically our introduction to the Zachary Community of what we have to offer," Lee said. "This cast is very strong: really veterans of the community theatre stage."
“Got the Picture?” tells the story of an aspiring photographer, Rob, who is in love with a lingerie manufacturer’s daughter, Robin. When a French fashion photographer and French model are missing on the day of a photo shoot, Rob and Robin try to pose as the photographer and model.
The Art House will present “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” in December. Lee said about 100 people attended the audition in October to try out for 50 roles. She said most of these roles were given to Zachary residents.
“Neighbors and friends that you work with and see on a daily basis, they’re going to be on stage,” Lee said.
Lee said the play is one of the most widely recognized Christmas plays in the country. It tells the story of a church Christmas pageant ruined by the antics of a family of bad kids.
“Everything that can go wrong does,” Lee said. “But in the end, everybody, including the Herdmans, is reminded of why we celebrate Christmas.”
The show runs at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 14 in the Zachary High School auditorium.
By Emily Holden
Options have expanded for Zachary residents searching for local entertainment on the weekend. Now community members can spend the evening at Zachary Art House Theatre, the newest addition to the area's cultural offering.Executive Director Kelly Lee said the Art House, which opened in October, is "eagerly searching for rehearsal space and office space." Productions will be held in the Zachary High School auditorium until further notice.
Lee was previously director of Baker Little Theatre, which has closed since the opening of the Art House. BLT was 30 years old, but Lee said it had been struggling for the past three to five years.
Lee said most of the cast members for BLT’s final production, “Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine,” were from Zachary. After talks with the cast, she realized the influx of young families in Zachary could easily support a community theater. So she approached the Chamber of Commerce to find out what it would take to start a theater in the area.
Rental agreements
Scott Swilley, Zachary Community School Board vice president, said the Art House does not currently have a long-term rental agreement with the School Board.
“They’re just trying to feel this thing out themselves,” he said.
Swilley said the School Board is working to develop a set procedure for parties interested in renting the auditorium. He said the school will always have first priority to use the building.“The Zachary Art House, I think, brings a lot to Zachary,” he said. “ It’s a good thing that they would like to move to Zachary, in my personal opinion.
Productions
The Art House's first production, “Got the Picture?”, was planned to debut on October 24 but has been postponed until the spring due to an injured actor. The play, written by Louisiana native Larry Gray, was included in the BLT Summer Spotlight series of original plays by local authors.
According to Lee, the cast consists mainly of young professionals. "They are established community theatre actors, which really is the reason I wanted them for the first show in Zachary, because this show, “Got the Picture?”, is basically our introduction to the Zachary Community of what we have to offer," Lee said. "This cast is very strong: really veterans of the community theatre stage."
“Got the Picture?” tells the story of an aspiring photographer, Rob, who is in love with a lingerie manufacturer’s daughter, Robin. When a French fashion photographer and French model are missing on the day of a photo shoot, Rob and Robin try to pose as the photographer and model.
The Art House will present “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” in December. Lee said about 100 people attended the audition in October to try out for 50 roles. She said most of these roles were given to Zachary residents.
“Neighbors and friends that you work with and see on a daily basis, they’re going to be on stage,” Lee said.
Lee said the play is one of the most widely recognized Christmas plays in the country. It tells the story of a church Christmas pageant ruined by the antics of a family of bad kids.
“Everything that can go wrong does,” Lee said. “But in the end, everybody, including the Herdmans, is reminded of why we celebrate Christmas.”
The show runs at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 14 in the Zachary High School auditorium.
