In 80 seasons, the creativity of Augusta Players’ staff and volunteers has extended beyond singing and acting.
They’ve had to figure out how to use Sunday school classrooms, vacant storefronts and even a former gas station/garage which had no heat in the winter as rehearsal space. They’ve had to utilize buildings with no running water and one electrical outlet across town as storage for sets and props.
While mainstage shows have rehearsed at one location, they’ve had to secure other places for Junior Players’ shows, camps and fundraisers.
“It’s taken the hard work of volunteers and the generosity of people who have space,” said Scott Seidl, Augusta Players’ executive director.
In recent years, they’ve partnered with Gary Dennis at the Jessye Norman School of the Arts, but when sharing space, they have to work their schedules around their host’s.
For many years, they’ve rented office space at Sacred Heart Cultural Center where Seidl has been in such so tight quarters with other employees that he’s made more than one work phone call from his car.
But in April, that all changes as the Augusta Players are nomads no more and permanently move into their own home.
The group’s lease at Sacred Heart officially ends April 1, and on April 14, rehearsals for two shows — “Anastasia” and “The Lightning Thief” — will take place at the newly renovated Ellis Street space.
Work on the former garage began last June. A capital campaign started about 15 months ago with $2.2 million of the $3 million goal being raised. Engraved bricks are available for purchase and will be part of the lobby wall. Donations are still being accepted.
Last summer, the building was a simple open two-story structure with a car ramp connecting the two floors. Seidl could walk through the second level with its concrete floor and point out the office area, bathrooms and three rehearsal spaces. Downstairs, he already saw the prop room, the lobby and reception area and the room to build sets.
Now, there are furnishings in place in the office. The rehearsal rooms are equipped with special flooring so actors can dance, and seating with cubby holes and outlets for people to charge their devices lines the wall. A remnant of the ramp is the only reminder of its former life.
“We’re getting there. Every day is a little closer; some days every hour. I stop in in the morning and at the end of the day, it looks like a completely different space,” he said.
Summer acting camp and Camp Wonderland for children on the spectrum will be held at the Ellis Street location in a few months.
Seidl said a grand opening will be Mother’s Day weekend to coincide with the opening day of “Anastasia.”
Plans are currently coming together for Season No. 81, which has a theme of “Girl Power.” All of the shows will feature a female protagonist. Seidl said he’s confirmed rights on all the shows except one and hopes to announce the season soon.
Seidl can see events such as smaller Augusta Junior Players’ shows and Readers Theater coming into the Ellis Street location.
He also hopes that the Players will be able to help other organizations that need programming space during the day as a way of thanking the community for its help over the past 80 years.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
