Old Brick visits Rotary
Trending
ELKINS -- Executive Director Missy McCollam and puppet master Jacob Currence of the Old Brick Playhouse visited the Rotary Club of Elkins.
When McCollam graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with her MFA, she was asked by her committee what she wanted to do next. When she said she wanted to come back to Elkins and start a theater, there was hysterical laughter in the room. One of the committee members told McCollam, "Honey, that is not possible in rural America."
For the next five years, every bit of publicity, tickets, playbills, newspaper articles, etc., were sent to this instructor with McCollam's notation, "Please don't tell people they can't do something when you don't know." Now, the theatre is in its thirty-first year.
Currence first joined the OBP as an apprentice. He now works for the theater and helps build puppets, create costumes, works with the apprentices, and does any other things that need done.
Currence is a graduate of Davis & Elkins College and is receiving his MFA from WVU in costume and puppetry. In high school, Currence was very interested in building puppets. At D&E, he worked with Ruth Humphrey and learned new techniques.
While Currence was at D&E, McCollam contacted Steve Axtell, one of the most famous puppet makers in the United States and asked if he would work with Currence. Axtell agreed and Currence traveled to LA to learn more about the trade.
Currence prefers to build puppets that can be close to and intimate with people; he brought three of his creations to share with the group. Zaratar, a fortune teller, is made of molded latex with a functional hand. He has shown up at events several times this year.
Currence also brought Mistletoe, a mischievous little elf that was used in last year's "Claus Caper" to encourage kids to have fun and enjoy themselves. Finally, General Cashew, the nutcracker, made an appearance in the recent production of "A Frosty Night In."
After COVID, it was McCollam's intent to take things a little slower: "The first year we were back, we decided to do two apprentice shows instead of one. We anticipated that dividing the students would be easy. As it turns out, we had two larger groups instead. We did a main stage show in the Rotary pavilion, three puppet shows and a historical drama at Cass. Additionally, we worked with ERCC; we go there a couple times a week, which is one of my greatest joys. Finally, we also collaborated with D&E on several projects. Sadly, we did not, in fact, slow down."
According to McCollam, the OBP is able to do all of these shows, productions and activities because of the community and the fabulous OBP team. She expressed her appreciation for financial and other support of the community, for those who trusted their children to the OBP programs, and for the forward-thinking mentality that allowed the OBP to come into existence.
In addition to the OBP stage, performance spaces are also available at the Myles Center, Senate Commons and the new outdoor amphitheater at Davis & Elkins College, and the Rotary Amphitheater at the Elkins town square.
"These spaces provide amazing opportunities for our town to rise to the occasion and put performing artists in there. We did 'Mama Mia' [at the Rotary amphitheater] and I expected about 500 people, and we had 1,200 the first night, that's insane," said McCollam.
"I would like to invite you to help me fund these performing artists, solidifying Elkins as the certified arts community that we are. Please help us to support more performing arts and I guarantee it will be a monumental investment."
Upcoming events include the Old Brick Apprentice program presentation of "Grease" in January 2023, a final show in April 2023 and summer camps that will be held as usual. The group will continue to visit the residents at ERCC and collaborate with D&E interns interested in art therapy, art education, or cultural tourism.
On a final note, McCollam asked that members of the club, and the community as well, encourage good customer service throughout the city. "Simply, tell them to treat other people like they would like to be treated as a customer. This is the friendliest town there is so please, when you are in public, help train young people to have good customer service skills. That's the key to Elkins being a cultural tourism success."
More information about the Old Brick Playhouse, as well as the events and program mentioned, can be found at www.oldbrickplayhouse.org or by calling 304-637-9090.
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers.
Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club's Facebook page, Rotary Club of Elkins, or contact club president Kristie Vandevander at k_ware@yahoo.com.