![]() Now in her sophomore year, Kathleen thanks Smithfield Little Theatre for the role it played in her development as an actress. Of 200 prospective students who auditioned, she was one of only ten chosen. It really reaffirmed that theatre was absolutely what I wanted to do with my life." Motivated by the experience, Kathleen auditioned for James Madison University's theatre department. I wish I could go back to that one moment because it was so magical. "With the applause, I think all of the actors felt a little bit like superstars. "I never knew I could love something so much!" she enthuses. I'm so honored to add this wonderful, state-of-the-art theatre to my resume."įor 17 year-old Kathleen Halverson, formerly of Franklin, her first experience performing at Smithfield Little Theatre was "truly thrilling." "It was one of the best times I ever had at an audition. "At the audition, I could feel the creative energy all around," he recalls. Jones is thrilled to have been recently cast by the theatre. Smithfield Little Theatre's selection of shows, its high production values, the precision of its all-volunteer system, and a sense of community bordering on the familial, attracts performers from across the region. For most shows, you're looking at about 20 hours a week in rehearsals, plus time outside of rehearsals memorizing lines." I've gone through eight-hour rehearsals on a Sunday. ![]() But for a big song-and-dance musical, rehearsals can be more extensive. "Rehearsals go for nine weeks- five nights a week, Sunday through Thursday. "From auditions to cast party is generally thee months, "Mark explains. The instant sense of community found by those involved in the theatre, owes much to the huge time commitment required to produce a show. We'll call you back and assign someone to be your mentor." And anyone interested in working backstage, making costumes, designing or building sets, running lights, managing the box-office or ushering is encouraged to call the theatre and leave a message. "We're always looking for new faces and talents. "Our auditions are open to everyone- no experience needed," Mark says with a smile. They are also one of the few venues left in which anyone can find instant community. But for those who love theatre- both audience members and actors- they are a godsend. Though found virtually everywhere throughout the country, they often exist under the radar of most Americans. "Because of this approach, we've done some edgy plays and newer musicals that aren't typically produced by community theatres."Īmerica's Little Theatre movement, which began in the early twentieth century, allows amateurs with an interest in the performing arts to come together and produce shows. "We look for directors with a fully-formed vision for a show and the passion to see it through," Mark explains. Shows are selected from proposals submitted by local directors. "In recent years, we've added a Christmas show each December and a summer youth production- which is an extended youth drama camp." "Through all these years, we've produced three shows annually- two musicals and a play," Mark continues. The beautiful, red-brick, Colonial Revival-style theatre now stands at the entrance to Smithfield Food's executive office complex, flanked by Church Street on one side and the Pagan River on the other. In summer 2001, our new theatre was completed." They offered to build us a new facility on their campus if we would sell them the property on which the old cotton gin stood. In 2000, Smithfield Foods decided to base their corporate headquarters here in town. In 1973, the Gwaltneys gave us the building, and for the next 25 years, we continually made improvements to the facility. Our dedicated players rolled up their sleeves, jumped in and renovated the place. Howard Gwaltney, Sr.- offered to lease us an old cotton gin near the town's waterfront for only one dollar a year. ![]() "Until 1966, our shows were presented in the old Smithfield High School auditorium. "The theatre was founded in 1962 by a hardy band of players who just loved performing," past theatre president, Mark Hall, recalls. The Smithfield Little Theatre is about to have a birthday, and at age 56, it's looking better than ever.
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