Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 20, 1995 TAG: 9507210079
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ELLEN DAVIES SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Chaney, 20, a theater and business student at Ferrum College, and Jamie Beard started the Southwest Virginia Theater for Youth in 1993, hoping to provide an educational and social forum for the community.
Chaney said his love for the theater and the opportunity to perform were the driving forces behind the company. But, it also gave him a chance to direct.
This summer, 25 youngsters between the ages of 10 and 16 from the Roanoke Valley are taking part in the company's six plays.
"This is the biggest number [of participants] we've ever had," said Chaney, adding that he and Beard are trying to give youth an opportunity to work onstage and backstage.
The troupe will perform two plays Friday and Saturday at the old Salem Camp Meeting Hall .
"Scapino!", a farce by Frank Sunlap and Jim Dale, is about a servant who tries to unite two lovers by deceiving his master. The other play, "I Never Saw Another Butterfly," is a historical drama by Celeste Raspant about the lives those children who went through the concentration camp Terezin in World War II.
"This [Scapino!] is for the enjoyment of the play," Chaney said. "['I Never Saw Another Butterfly'] shows that even during the worst times of life you can still find good," Chaney explained, adding he hopes his cast members will not only receive acting experience from the second play, but learn a bit from history.
So far, though, attendance for this season's performances has been limited, but Chaney and his actors have tried to alleviate that problem.
"Part of our advertising is yelling at cars as they pass by on the day of the performance," said Willie Caldwell, a 13-year-old Salem teen who plays the lead in "Scapino!." He said that he persuaded two or three motorists to attend a recent production by this unusual method of publicity.
The nonprofit theater exists with help from members' parents and ticket sales, Chaney said.
"I am not in it for the money. I am in it because I want to see theater and fine arts grow in Roanoke," Chaney said.
Caldwell, already a veteran of two performances at Mill Mountain Theater and a number of television appearances, said the technical aspects of the hall and the budget for props are extremely limited, making the actors' role in the production even more important.
"We have three buttons [for lights] and that is it." Caldwell said. "Everything relies on our character and how we pull the whole thing off."
But despite the lack of glamour in the productions, there is no shortage of enthusiasm expressed by the actors.
"We really have made some good friends," Chaney said. "It's a good experience."
Troupe members had to audition, Chaney said.
Caldwell said he sees his participation as an opportunity to gain additional experience. "It's another thing on my resume," said Caldwell, who wants to attend Juliard and pursue a career in acting.
"There [is] tons of artistic freedom here. He [Chaney] gives you creativity," said Caldwell, an original cast member, adding he hopes to be able to have the chance to direct in the company.
"It's more fun than work. That is why I do it, of course," said Jill Raney, 11, of Roanoke.
A major supporter of the youth theater, Dr Richard Fisher, donated the use of the Salem Camp Meeting Hall, a renovated church, for rehearsals and productions.
Built in 1922, the recently remodeled building was once a revival hall. Chaney said that in exchange for use of the building, he and the company have agreed to revert the building to its original use and hold a revival on Aug. 6.
While the group is not a religious organization, Chaney said he was excited by the prospect of holding, "an old-time revival."
Curtain time for the performances on Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available through the box office at 389-4397 Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. or at the door on the day of the performance.
by CNB