When Courtney Wisely first floated the idea of starting a community theater group in Jefferson County, she wasn’t sure how much interest it would generate.
She quickly learned, though, that a lot of people want to be a part of the new group, which is called Spotlight Community Theatre-Jeffco and is based in a building she owns at 108 Walnut St. in Festus.
Wisely, 35, of Festus said about 80 people attended a public meeting she held in early March in the building, which shares space with Magic Maids. Wisely also owns and operates that business.
“The majority (of the attendees) were from the Festus area, but we got people from Arnold, De Soto, Hillsboro, really, from all over,” she said.
Since then, even more people have let Wisely know they want to perform or work behind the scenes in the theater group’s productions.
“We’ve had over 130 people sign up to be a part of it,” she said March 10.
Still more people are needed, she said
“We need performance people and people to build sets, do concessions, make props, sew costumes, fundraise. There’s an endless list of things to do,
“All ages and backgrounds are welcome. If you don’t have a skill, we’ll teach you one.”
Wisely said Spotlight Community Theatre-Jeffco will hold performances and events year-round.
“Our big three things will be a summer musical, a fall variety show and the winter holiday market,” she said.
Wisely has scheduled auditions for the group’s first round of activities – skits to be performed at area locations. The auditions will be from 2-4 p.m. on two Saturdays – March 26 and April 2 – at the Magic Maids office.
“We will rehearse all of April to do 20- to 30-minute plays or skits for our local citizens who would not be able to attend a regular performance, like in nursing homes. The point of it is to bring joy to the community.
“I also want to have summer camp performances and a community barbecue. That will be in June.”
She intends for the theater group to put on a musical this summer.
“The first production I was ever involved with was ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’” Wisely said. “That will be our first show. It will tentatively be performed in August.”
She said she hopes to hold the show at the Festus R-6 School District’s new Performing Arts Center.
Wisely said she is working to obtain nonprofit status for the theater group.
She said the only requirement to join the troupe is the willingness to volunteer. She also said people may volunteer as much or as little as they like.
“For instance, in the winter season we’ll do a holiday market fundraiser. That might not require meetings, just one day of commitment.”
She said she has long wanted to form a community theater group.
“This has been a dream of mine for 20 years,” Wisely said. “Honestly, theater changes lives. There are not enough opportunities around here for people to find a place in theater, on or off stage.
Wisely has served as an assistant musical director for Festus Middle School performances.
For more information about the group, call 636-428-3331 or visit its Facebook page.