All the world's a stage, so where is ours?

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com

There are several local theater companies and groups in Fayette County, from Fayette Community Theatre Inc. and Offshoot Productions to the House Red Theatre Company and Fayette-Coweta Family Theatre Inc., but there is not one uniform community theater space that can be used by all.

That stinks.

Sure, there is Sams Auditorium, but no one production could fill that space. The auditorium at Starr's Mill High School can also be used from time to time, but it is also too large and it is too difficult to find an open evening. McIntosh's Black Box Theatre offers the right amount of space for a smaller production, but it is also difficult to procure and it doesn't belong to anybody but the school. It is time to end this problem and get a space that can be shared by all.

This is allegedly the goal of several groups in Fayette County, but one would think that a group in a fairly wealthy part of the state could raise the necessary funds and get a 250-400 seat theater built in that amount of time. I do not doubt that their intentions are good, nor do I doubt that they have promoted and assisted local theater groups to the best of their abilities, but enough is enough.

Right now, there are dozens of vacancies in Fayetteville and Peachtree City.

These buildings would be perfect for a smaller theatre space. A perfect example is the deserted Westpark Walk movie theater in Peachtree City. It's near several restaurants and there is plenty of parking. It is conveniently located off Ga. highways 54 and 74, so why not put one there?

What about The Market? As far as I know there are no plans for the former den of depravity. It has a fairly central location and I am sure that the crowds attending local theater will be better behaved than The Market's former clientele.

There are also many development organizations in the area that build nearly everything under the sun. So, again I ask you, where's our theater?

There is a need. I assure you. Currently, the busiest space in the area is the band room at the old Fayette County High School. I have seen some amazing productions there and the space, when converted, is great. But you have to constantly move out your sets, props, risers and such because it isn't your space and there is no guarantee that it won't be tampered with.

So, what can we do about this?

Well, how about a theater festival where all of the proceeds will go towards renting, leasing or building a theater. Soon, all four local high schools will present their one act plays to enter in regional and state competition. Let's get them together and get them to put on their shows at Sams Auditorium. Then, let's make an offer to all of the other community groups and allow them to present their shows during the festival. We can sell concessions, hold auctions and even accept donations. Let's just get this done.

If you have ideas on how to help this community get a theater or would like to pitch in to this very noble cause, which currently has no direction, e-mail me at banjowax@aol.com. We'll establish a community round table and do something great for a truly great area.

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