By Mary Owen
Spotlight Community Theatre has put out a call for community members to “come play with us.”
“We are building a family from the community using expression and art,” board members wrote. “We don’t care if you are a seasoned or inexperienced actor. If you want to be on the stage that’s where you will be. We believe that theater should be fun for everyone, not just the audience, and if you step through our doors, you are in the Spotlight family forever.”
SCT’s mission is “to enrich, educate and entertain our community by providing an inclusive theatrical experience.” The nonprofit theater group, based in Stayton, also brings “a collaborative opportunity to create an experience theatre in an atmosphere of respect, support and enjoyment.”
According to board members, ticket sales only cover a portion of the expenses of a theater. “We pay rent and utilities year-round for our location on Third Avenue in Stayton, royalties to the publishing companies for each performance of a play (more for musicals), materials and construction costs to build sets and costumes, as well as other fees such as insurance, music licensing and more.”
Becoming a member or giving a one-time donation helps the theater survive. Seven membership tiers offer a variety of ways to join, ranging from $25 to $6,000, and include participating on the board of directors.
Throughout the year, SCT puts on four main theater productions consisting of plays and musicals produced from a written book or script. Also produced are staged radio dramas that are recorded and played on local radio stations KMUZ and KYAC. A second outlet is staged audio dramas, a means used to keep the theater company alive through the pandemic.
Talent is showcased through one-act plays written by local playwrights and is fostered through SCT’s Beverly Wilson Summer Youth Drama Camp.
SCT provides a live theater experience for Stayton, Aumsville, Sublimity and surrounding areas.
“We work hard to support a community of creative people who love to participate in the joy of live theater as actors, crew and audience. We involve all ages. In the past few years, we had cast members ranging from 6 to 85 years old. In a time when the arts are struggling, we feel it is important to continue to provide this much-needed service to our community,” according to online information.
For information on how to donate and/or participate, visit www.onthestage.tickets/spotlight-community-theatre.
