HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-08-08, Page 23THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1990. PAGE 23.
Volunteers support community theatre
BY BONNIE GROPP
It is no secret that some of the
success and growth of the Blyth
Festival should be attributed to the
wonderful support it receives
through its community, the people
who volunteer their time and the
patrons who donate money and
energy to help ensure its progress.
Basia Lodzinski, who is head of
Props at the Festival this season,
agrees that the volunteers who help
out are indeed an integral part of
what makes Blyth Festival so
unique. If it weren’t for the volun
teers, she said, “we wouldn’t get
stuff done. It puts such spirit in it;
it makes them a part of this
community theatre.
Not native to the area Basia has
had to count on volunteer help,
contacts and advice many times
while planning and searching for
the right props for this year’s
plays. Reflecting on “Firefly’’ the
musical that centres on the coming
of the telephone to a rural com
munity in 1910, she says the first
thing she realized was that “it’s a
huge show. I know there were a
number of jobs that could easily be
done by any craft-oriented, com
munity people.’’
She explains that she divides
props into three groups; those that
are bought, which she does; those
that are built, which the set
designers do and those that are fun
to do and take little direction.
— Through the board of directors, she
learned of someone who does
carpentry and of another who
knows puppetry. “They were peo
ple familiar with the workings of
the theatre, who knew about dead
lines but had never been active
with the actual productions. It was
fun to get them involved,’’ she
said.
“Props to me is the easiest job in
theatre. All it takes is some craft
skill and a little imagination.
Perfection comes with doing it over
and over. It comes with practice,
not by being taught. I like to give
these people something they can
take time with and have fun with.’’
Backstage volunteers at the Festiv-
val this year have been involved in
carpentry work, carving styrofoam
into vegetables and hand-knitting
articles.
“If someone came in and wanted
to help with props, I’d welcome
them,’’ says Basia. “Besides,
there isn’t anyone who leaves a
prop shop grumpy. You’re like a
little kid building things. It’s
magic.’’
Director of Communications for
the Festival Jane Gardner notes
that they number up to 100
volunteers every summer, who
usher or help in other ways, but it’s
never enough, she says, particular
ly when the students go back to
/ school. “We still have two weeks of
ushering after shool starts and we
continually look for people.’’
Also she says, there is a shortage
of seamstresses during the season.
When the fall and spring series
Gratefully accepted
Basia Lodzinski, HeadofPropsat Blyth Festival this season, can well appreciate thecontributionsof
volunteerstothetheatre’swork. She relyson advice and donations from many people to assist in her
task of setting the stage. Here she holds an original petit pointe donated by Verna Martin of “The
Stitchery” in Monkton for the Festival’s fundraising Gala Auction.
are at the Festival, Ms. Gardner
says they also are looking for help
to load in sets, costumes, or set up
the stage, which she calls, “a great
opportunity to learn behind the
scene things’’.
If time constraints are a problem
another way people can help out is
through donations. Basia says,
‘ ‘the stuff in the back is where the
real props are.” Discovering who
has something that may be of use
usually happens, she says by
“tripping and falling over a num
ber of things, before stumbling
onto the item.”
She suggests that people should
bring in their junk. “We have a
huge storage room here and while
we may not use the item in the
actual production it might make it
to rehearsal hall, where it will make
some actor happy.” She explains
that actors do not use the real prop
during rehearsals as a precaution.
Therefore, while something may
not make it onto the stage, it is still
useful. Also if any item loaned to
the Festival is precious, it is
copied, she adds.
The Festival’s Gala Auction, one
of its most successful fund raising
events is another occasion, suppor
ted by generous donations. Organ
izers are looking for a variety of
items but maintain that this has
always been a superior auction and
items should complement that
idea.
Two other areas where people
can show their support are through
the Art Gallery, which is soon to
celebrate its 15th birthday. A Folk
Art Show will be held there and
Bev Walker who is heading the
committee is looking for people to
collect quilts and sculptures.
The Murder Mystery in Septem
ber is another major fund raiser for
the theatre. Marion Doucette is
co-ordinating the event and Mr.
Gardner says that anyone with a
couple of hours to spare could
really help out. There are about 120
people involved behind the scenes
in the acting department, and
about 20 waiters and waitresses.
“We stand to gain so much
through this because everything is
donated,” Miss Gardner said.
“For people to donate their time is
a great gift to us.”
When it comes to hiring the Deaf,
seeing is believing.
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