2008 Woodie Awards
Letter to the Editor
a Web exclusive
Issue date: 11/8/06 Section: Editorials and Opinion
To the Editor:
As a Chappell Player, I am ecstatic about the renovations in the Little Theatre. The updated light fixtures illuminate the seat cushions in the house so they exude that familiar "We are St. John's" shade of red. They feel pleasant on the posterior, but most of my time is spent in the booth, onstage, or on the floor. The plush carpet welcomes my body when I exhaustedly lay on it at 2 am after helping to erect a set. Sometimes I wish theatrical productions were not such heavy burdens to put on, but when I see the fruits of our labor onstage, I cannot help but feel a sense of pride.
The Chappell Players spend enough time in the Little Theatre to be classified as tenants. Our rent is paid with the blood, sweat, and tears we pour into our shows. Every day we are here in our home for one reason or another. We had always considered refurbishing our upholstery and laying a new carpet; our benefactor, St. John's, has made that dream come true. The house is not the only area that was redecorated, however.
Strange movie posters now line the walls of the lobby. None of the Chappell Players' E-Board members know from whence they came, and none of us have seen any of these movies. Like the "Chicago Black Sox" in the Field of Dreams, they came from seemingly nowhere (a movie reference… how appropriate).
As stated in the November 8th edition of the Torch, the Little Theatre flaunts its silver screen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Consequently, the Chappell Players are out on the street.
Occasionally a Good Samaritan will inquire about our landlord troubles.
"Why are you bundled up out here?" he will ask.
"Ricky Bobby kicked us out," we sing our response in three-part harmony.
Theatrical productions are not spontaneous; they are well-planned and well-rehearsed. Unlike DVDs, plays require more than an opposable thumb to put on. When the theatre group is removed from its home, it is forced to rehearse in any space available. Sometimes there are no available spaces, in which case the Chappell Players overpay our rent in tears, sweat, and sometimes blood.
As a Chappell Player, I am ecstatic about the renovations in the Little Theatre. The updated light fixtures illuminate the seat cushions in the house so they exude that familiar "We are St. John's" shade of red. They feel pleasant on the posterior, but most of my time is spent in the booth, onstage, or on the floor. The plush carpet welcomes my body when I exhaustedly lay on it at 2 am after helping to erect a set. Sometimes I wish theatrical productions were not such heavy burdens to put on, but when I see the fruits of our labor onstage, I cannot help but feel a sense of pride.
The Chappell Players spend enough time in the Little Theatre to be classified as tenants. Our rent is paid with the blood, sweat, and tears we pour into our shows. Every day we are here in our home for one reason or another. We had always considered refurbishing our upholstery and laying a new carpet; our benefactor, St. John's, has made that dream come true. The house is not the only area that was redecorated, however.
Strange movie posters now line the walls of the lobby. None of the Chappell Players' E-Board members know from whence they came, and none of us have seen any of these movies. Like the "Chicago Black Sox" in the Field of Dreams, they came from seemingly nowhere (a movie reference… how appropriate).
As stated in the November 8th edition of the Torch, the Little Theatre flaunts its silver screen on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Consequently, the Chappell Players are out on the street.
Occasionally a Good Samaritan will inquire about our landlord troubles.
"Why are you bundled up out here?" he will ask.
"Ricky Bobby kicked us out," we sing our response in three-part harmony.
Theatrical productions are not spontaneous; they are well-planned and well-rehearsed. Unlike DVDs, plays require more than an opposable thumb to put on. When the theatre group is removed from its home, it is forced to rehearse in any space available. Sometimes there are no available spaces, in which case the Chappell Players overpay our rent in tears, sweat, and sometimes blood.
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