Nearly two years ago now, our daily lives drastically changed. Seemingly overnight, the everyday functions of our existence became more difficult, and often stopped altogether. Lonely months at home were followed by continued missed opportunities as safety protocols prohibited large congregate gatherings.
It’s difficult to realize how much we rely on interacting and sharing experiences with complete strangers, but as the saying goes, you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Few industries felt the blow of that loss more than live entertainment.
As restrictions have lifted, people have slowly returned to theaters and concert venues, but many willing participants are still concerned about the safety of such events.
This has certainly been the case here in Grays Harbor County. As several community theater groups and the Bishop Center for the Performing Arts awake from their pandemic-induced hibernation, excitement over the return of local live theater is also laced with ongoing uncertainties.
The Driftwood Players of Aberdeen commenced its third in-person performance this month with the opening night of “The Humans” on Feb. 11. While audiences have been small, spokeswoman Debbie Scoones hopes that word-of-mouth will help fill empty seats.
“To hear the laughter, to hear people talking, and to just have people in the theater, it was wonderful. Having an audience is wonderful, live theater is just the best,” she said.
The Players streamed their production of “Daddy Long Legs” in May 2021, but the absence of a live audience was tough on the actors, according to Scoones.
Virtual performances also strained the finances of the community theater group, which relies on a “champagne opener” every other year to cover expenses, such as insurance and heating. According to Scoones, it was difficult to sell tickets for the streaming shows.
“Fundraising was really difficult, and it was a scary time for us,” she said. “It’s a constant uphill climb, so ticket sales are essential for us to keep our doors open”
The Driftwood Players typically produce five shows a year, but even consistent ticket sales aren’t enough to cover the cost of maintaining the aging playhouse and updating stage technologies. Roof replacements, fresh paint, updated windows, and a new sound system are all on the docket pending sufficient funding.
The Willapa Players of Raymond are well-versed in the challenges of renovation and funding improvements. The players purchased the South Bend Methodist Church for $55,000 in December 2020, and have been moving out of the old Hannan Playhouse into their new home.
“The old playhouse has a great nostalgic pull on me and others, but it was time to move on,” said Willapa Players President Russell Wiitala. “The Methodist Church congregation had shrunk and aged to the point that they were forced to close their church. They had come to the decision that the greatest positive impact they could leave on the community was to give their church to the Willapa Players.”
The Players spent six months evaluating and relocating all of their materials. In early July 2021, they were able to sell the old building, which allowed the conversion of the new playhouse to commence in earnest.
The theater group is working to prepare the new playhouse for its first production, and their first full-blown performance with a live audience since the pandemic began. “Little Shop of Horrors” will open on March 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., with further shows scheduled for March 27, April 1, 2.
“The new playhouse has inspired a lot of enthusiasm and I really see great things coming. We have gained a lot of new members,” said Wiitala. “The new Willapa Playhouse seats over 100 audience members. Because we are utilizing the old pews, we don’t know exactly what the capacity is. It is definitely bigger and more comfortable than the old Hannan Playhouse.”
Tickets for “Little Shop of Horrors” can be purchased via On the Stage, the link to which can be found on the Willapa Players’ Facebook page.
This coming weekend will be the closing weekend for “The Humans,” and tickets can be purchased a variety of ways.
“We’re doing electronic tickets because young people are the future of Driftwood. We need younger audiences, and most of those young people aren’t going to drive to an outlet to get a ticket, but they’ll do it on their phone,” said Scoones.
The Driftwood Players also offer discounts with a valid student ID, and hosted a “pay what you can” night on Feb. 18, to encourage new patrons to enjoy the theater.
“We want you to get into the theater, and come, and hopefully you go ‘Wow, this is some great entertainment,’ and then you come back,” said Scoones.
The Driftwood Players will turn their attention next to “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” a play based on the book by Mark Haddon, which will premiere in late April.
