For Spotlight Community Theatre, the show must go on, even if the troupe no longer has a place to call home.
The countywide group, which will hold performances in November and December, is based in a Festus building right now, but is losing its lease, said Courtney Wisely, who founded the amateur community theater troupe in March.
The group had been operating out of the same office where Wisely was running a business, Magic Maids, but she closed the business earlier this year and later learned she was losing her lease to the office.
She said the theater troupe had never performed in the space, but meetings, auditions and rehearsals have been held there.
“Our lease is up Nov. 30,” she said. “We will not have a home base.”
Wisely said a friend of the troupe tried to buy a building for the theater group to use, but the deal fell through, and she continues to seek a new place for the troupe.
“We’re still looking for a permanent home,” she said. “I’m looking for a place within Festus, I would say, because that’s where the majority of our members live. We’re just keeping our eyes open for something.”
But no matter what, Spotlight will carry on with its performances and fundraising activities, Wisely said.
“The First Christian Church (415 N. Mill St., Festus) said we could rehearse there,” she added.
Both the organization’s youth and adult troupes will perform during an Acting Troupe Showcase set for 6 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Festus-Crystal City Elks Lodge 1721, 4 Elks Drive, in Crystal City.
Auditions for a different performance, a “radio reading” of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” are scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 1 and Nov. 3, as well as 2 p.m. Nov. 5-6, at the troupe’s current office, 108 Walnut St., in Festus. That performance will be held during the troupe’s Winter Gala fundraising event on Dec. 10 at VFW Post 3777, 900 VFW Drive, in Festus.
Wisely said she floated the idea of a community theater group in Jefferson County in early 2022 not knowing what the response would be. When she held the group’s first meeting in early March at her Magic Maids office, she was floored when about 80 people showed up.
Since then the group has put on several shows and has about 286 members, she said.
Wisely said that while the majority of the members live in southern Jefferson County, a number of them live elsewhere.
“We’ve got people from all around the county and there are even a couple of people in the adult troupe driving down from St. Louis,” Wisely said. “We’ve got two home schoolers who joined up and they’ve become such a part of our group that they went to Festus High School’s homecoming dance with a couple of our kids.”
Some people are more active in Spotlight than others, Wisely said.
“I would say we have a core of 50 people participating,” she said. “The rest participate as they can.”
Wisely said most of those who take part in the theater group are interested in acting, but the organization also relies on people to work behind the scenes to stage productions.
“We need not only actors, but a set crew, a prop crew, front of the house – that’s the people who take the tickets, issue programs, take people to the seats,” she said. “We really need a sound and light crew.”
Wisely said she has found her former students to be a good source for Spotlight members.
“I’m assistant musical director, with Michelle Ganey, at Festus Middle School,” she said. “Many of my former students have joined Spotlight.”
She said she continues to welcome new members to the troupe.
Spotlight members sing the group’s praises.
“(Acting) is something my son and my husband both love,” said Amy Perry, 49, of Festus, who is directing the ATS youth performance, along with her husband, “Lucky.”
“I’m not an actor. I’m a prop person,” Amy Perry said. “Spotlight allows everybody to be involved. We have young and old. Everyone gets to participate and everyone has fun.”
Several youth group members who attended an Oct. 21 rehearsal said they enjoy being involved with Spotlight.
“This is my first time acting,” said Lila Heron, 14, who goes to Hillsboro High School. “I wanted to try it because my friends and family said I’d like it. This is my first performance. I’m looking forward to the performance.”
Aubrey Etter, 13, a Festus Middle School student, said she already is a veteran of the group.
“I’ve been with Spotlight since it started,” she said. “I like being with my friends and acting. Spotlight’s been fun to be in.”
EllieAunna Thompson, 13, also a Festus Middle School student, appreciates not only the opportunity to act, but also the social aspects of the group.
“I enjoy being able to hang out and talk to people who have a similar interest in theater,” Thompson said. “Spotlight is an amazing thing.”
Upcoming performances
■ Nov. 10, ATS (Acting Troupe Showcase) will feature a youth troupe performance of “When Bad Things Happen to Good Actors,” and the general troupe (for ages 13 and up) will perform “Wizards and Wands.”
“‘When Bad Things Happen to Good Actors,’ is a ‘Wizard of Oz’ parody,” Wisely said. “‘Wizards and Wands’ is a Harry Potter parody. There are over 20 actors in each troupe.
“There is not a charge to get in. Donations are encouraged.”
■ Dec. 10, Winter Gala, 5:30 p.m., a silent auction with refreshments runs from 6-7:30 p.m. and a radio performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life” begins at 7:30 p.m. The $40 fee includes refreshments.
“Taytro’s is catering with appetizers,” Wisely said. “The bar will be provided by Four Brothers Mead. We will have a huge silent auction. We will put on a radio performance of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ Our performance that night will be a radio performance. You’re basically watching a radio show. We’re still looking for sponsors for the program.”
She noted that those wishing to dip a toe in acting may want to try out for a part in the “It’s a Wonderful Life” performance.
“If you ever had interest in trying out for theater, this is the perfect opportunity, because there’s no memorization of lines, no blocking,” Wisely said. “Blocking is just the movements on stage.”
For more information or to donate to Spotlight, visit Spotlight Community Theatre-Jeffco on Facebook or call 636-428-3331.