The gold standard

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The Belfry Theatre celebrates 50 years of entertainment

Elaine Wagner was teaching part-time at Conner and Forest Hill elementary schools in the early ’70s when she first became involved with the Belfry Theatre.

“I had Betty and John Foland’s child in school. John directed the very first show,” Wagner said. “My first show I was in was ‘Dracula’ in 1972. I had a lot of fun.”

Wagner went from being onstage to directing the Apprentice Players program.

“I love working with kids. My first show was ‘Alice in Wonderland’ (in 1973) and I had a great time,” Wagner said, adding she directed four consecutive years of children’s productions before becoming a director of an adult show. “Directing takes a lot of time and preparation. I haven’t done a lot of acting since the ’70s.”

The rest as they say is history as Wagner has directed 32 Belfry shows since 1973.

“I like the idea of coming up with original approaches to shows. I love musicals, to hear them singing and dancing,” she said. “My payoff is when the audience comes and likes the show.”

In November, Wagner will direct “1776,” a show she originally directed in 1987. This is the first time she has redone a show.

“Nunsense,” which Wagner directed in the 1991-92 season, also is a part of the current season.

“Both of these shows were really popular with the audiences,” she said. “People like musicals; that’s what I have directed. I’ve done a couple of comedies and three dramas.”

The 2014-15 season is a special one as the Belfry celebrates 50 years.

“The goal with the 50th season was to do really popular shows that hadn’t been done in the past 10 years and hadn’t been done a second time at the Belfry,” Wagner said.

Belfry Theatre Board President Mark Tumey said: “Our slate of shows was handpicked by our directors with the intention of identifying shows that had been done years ago by our original play directors. It’s a tribute to some of the first directors.”

Tumey describes himself as a “newbie to theater.”

“I wasn’t exposed to theater in high school or college. Eight years ago I stepped on the Belfry stage and I got bit with the bug. It’s become a passion of mine,” he said. “I feel very fortunate to be a part of the community that is called ‘The Belfry’ and especially to have been in plays which were directed by two of the Belfry’s original founders, Jane Campbell and Betty Lou Kyle, both of which had a significant impact on me. I just hope that we can continue the vision that began with these two ladies as well as the others who founded the Belfry.”

The Future

Tumey said the future of the organization is limited at its current location at 10690 Greenfield Ave. Constrictions include the age of the building, potential road expansion and lack of growth options.

“We’re looking for other alternatives for the next 50 years to remain a vital part of the community,” Tumey said.

In the past two to three years, the board has conducted a feasibility study for growth and looked at existing buildings or places that could be expanded to fit their needs. Another option available is Ivy Tech, 300 N. 17th St.

“The mayor had mentioned that to us a couple of years ago and it’s very feasible for us to do. It doesn’t require a huge amount of money,” Tumey said. “(Ivy Tech-Hamilton County President) Dan Clark was inviting us to look at the space as a future home or a place to put on some of our future plays … The school is part of the community and he was inviting the Belfry to be a part of it.”

Tumey said the Belfry will explore the Ivy Tech auditorium setup with its next production, “1776.”

“‘1776’ is the ideal show because it’s large with 25 men and two women parts,” he said, adding some involved with organization are opposed to change. “We’re going to try it as a test.”

Tumey said the use of Ivy Tech has created one alteration to the Belfry – a loss of shows.

“The third weekend was already committed so the eight performances were cut down to six over two weeks,” he said. “It has the potential to triple attendance though.”

Tumey said the board is looking for a new location somewhere near downtown so it can partner with businesses and restaurants.

“The opportunity to be down on the square above Kirk’s Hardware is still an option on the table. It’s a wonderful space but there are some challenges,” Tumey said, adding the building would need to be structurally reinforced to have the community theater and there is no handicap accessible way to the second story.

As the theater moves forward, Tumey said the current state is good.

“I feel the Belfry is healthy,” he said. “We put on shows that attract patrons; we attract people to community theater.”

In their words

What does the Belfry Theatre mean to you?

Shelton
Shelton

There are few places on Earth that I love more than the Belfry.  Not only does it give me a chance to perform, it has given me a great many good friends as well.  The building is pretty cool, but it is the people inside performing, working the show, and the audience that make it such a unique and special place.

Ryan Shelton

Bedell
Bedell

The Belfry holds a special place for me as it was my first experience with live theater.

Being part of the Belfry has helped me really connect with my ‘inner storyteller’ and I’ve built a network of friends who all love to build live theater together as living, breathing art … I feel that live theater is a great barometer of a healthy community. The Belfry Theatre is a wonderful asset of accessible live art that can be experienced by everyone, no matter the age.

Kelly Bedell

Bick
Bick

The Belfry means to me a place where the Hamilton County community can come and watch and interact with great theater. The Belfry is a place where you can bring your family and friends to see a great show at a reasonable cost.  The Hamilton County Theatre Guild was founded by a bunch of friends and co-workers who wanted to enjoy and share great theater.  The Belfry Theatre still continues that idea of enjoying and sharing great theater 50 years later albeit with a little larger group of friends.

Jeff Bick

2014-2015 Season

Desk Set

Directed by Christy Clinton

Oct. 10, 11 and 12

Comedy

Electronic brains are installed to do the work of people at a television network, soon replacing whole departments, but Emmaracs cannot best Bunny in a game of wits she causes them to blow fuses.

Originally performed in the 1983-1984 season and directed by Betty Lou Kyle.

1776

Directed by Elaine Wagner

Nov. 21 through 30

Musical

It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence, if only our founding fathers can agree to do it. The play “1776” puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation.

Originally performed in for the 1986-1987 season and directed by Wagner.

Bus Stop

Directed by Connie Murello-Todd

Jan. 30 through Feb. 15

Drama

In the middle of a howling snowstorm, a bus out of Kansas City pulls up at a cheerful roadside diner. All roads are blocked, and four or five weary travelers are going to have to hole up until morning. The proprietor of the cafe and the bus driver at last find time to develop a friendship of their own; a middle-age scholar comes to terms with himself; and a young girl who works in the cafe also gets her first taste of romance.

Originally performed in the 1983-1984 season and directed by Jim Bray.

Noises Off

Directed by Ron Richards

April 3 through 19

Comedy

Called the funniest farce ever written, “Noises Off” presents a manic menagerie as a cast of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called “Nothing’s On.” Doors slamming, on and backstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this classically comic play.

Originally performed in the 1986-1987 season and directed by Steve Free.

Nunsense

Directed by Carla Crandall

May 29 through June 14

Musical

The show is a fundraiser put on by the Little Sisters of Hoboken to raise money to bury sisters accidentally poisoned by the convent cook, Sister Julia. This zany musical has been updated with new jokes, additional lyrics, two new arrangements and a brand new song.

Originally performed in the 1991-1992 season and directed by Elaine Wagner.

Emperor’s New Clothes

Directed by Connie Murello-Todd

July 24 through Aug. 2.

Musical (Apprentice Players, ages 5 to 13)

Emperor Marcus the Third wonders how he can possibly run an empire when he’s only 14. In an attempt to appear more mature to his people, he accepts the credo that “clothes make the man,” but soon finds himself the center of a hoax.

Originally performed in the 1965-1966 inaugural season and directed by Betty Lou Kyle.


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