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Efforts underway to revive EACT

ELKINS — Preparations are under way to revive the Elkins Area Community Theatre in downtown Elkins to provide opportunities for adult theatre artists to share their creativity with the community.

The organization has been defunct for 20 years and was once a thriving and bountiful part of the regional theatre scene. Gregory Mach, professor of Dramatic Arts at West Virginia Wesleyan College, met with Missy McCollum and Phil Smith of the Old Brick Playhouse in September to discuss the possibility of revitalizing EACT, and all three are enthusiastic about bringing adult community theatre back to Elkins.

The Old Brick has agreed to host the group, providing a space, insurance and other resources, since there is nothing at all left of the first EACT.

Mach is appreciative of the offer: “Many thanks to Missy and Phil, and the Board of the Old Brick, for graciously offering us a home for this exciting venture.”

EACT was a prolific provider of entertainment in the 1980s and 90s under the directorship of Dale Wilson, Missy McCollum and Phil Smith, presenting old standards as well as original theatre such as “The Little Rascals,” Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” Neil Simon’s “Rumors,” “Wait Until Dark,” “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Agnes of God,” and many more crowd-pleasers.

Of late, opportunities have been more plentiful for productions at the Old Brick by and for children, featuring the expansive apprentice program, and partnering with Disney for the Polar Express performances on the trains.

Mach has established a Facebook page called “Elkins Area Community Theatre.”

“Let this page serve as a forum for ideas, for a callboard of what’s happening, and to get the word out to the community that theatre for adults is back!” said Mach. He also intends to have an interest meeting in January or early February to see what directors, actors, tech and community support are available. He is thinking about having a two-show summer season to start with, and then maybe add a winter show.

“Once we know who is involved, we’ll figure out the administration and organization of this group and proceed from there — choose a season, maybe a new name, funding, etc,” he said.

For more information, check the EACT Facebook page, or email Greg Mach at mach@wvwc.edu.

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