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The world of theater is a fickle place, but for 75 years, the curtains have stayed up on the Chapel Street Players. Its proud members intend to keep it going for another 75.
Newark’s community theater troupe began as the University Drama Group at the University of Delaware, for faculty and staff to get involved in theater productions. It later broadened to the greater community and moved off campus into an old church that was converted into a 175-seat theater in 1969.
Dramas, comedies and the classics have graced Chapel Street’s stage, yet one thing has remained stalwart over the years: the dedication of volunteers, said Scott Mason, board president.
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One Dame Dazzling September Diamond Anniversary Scott Mason as Dame Edna Sept. 11; 8 p.m., Sept. 12; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sept. 18; 8 p.m., Sept. 19; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets: $10 Box office: 368-2248 |
All-volunteer theaters face challenges finding enough people to get all the work done, he said, but Chapel Street tries to reward its workers.
“We try to make a lot of social activities and also try to keep the stress levels to a minimum,” said Mason, of Newark.
Audiences appreciate the volunteers’ hard work, Mason said -- part of why the theater still exists today is because of its loyal fan following.
People need a theater and Chapel Street fills that void in Newark, said Newark resident Judy David, vice president of the board.
She’s been with the troupe for more than 20 years and much of her dedication comes from her belief that the arts enrich everyone’s lives.
Chapel Street has not shied away from serious topics, like their production of “The Laramie Project,” which is about a young gay man who was brutally beaten and killed in a small town.
“Theater lets us talk about big issues in a way that’s not confrontational,” she said.
The theater’s been good for audiences, but it’s also been good for actors, some of whom cut their teeth on Chapel Street’s stage many years ago.
The troupe is like family and that friendliness has kept Renee O’Leary of Newark with the company for 46 years.
| Chapel Street Timeline
1934, The University Drama Group founded. Its first president is Cornelia Mylerea 1935, The group presents its first play, “Mrs. Bumstead Leigh" 1936, Townspeople join 1948, the group presents its first $50 award to a graduating player 1965, First fundraiser 1969, church on Chapel Street purchased for $32,000 and turned it into a 175-seat theater 1970, New name: The Chapel Street Players |
The world of theater is a fickle place, but for 75 years, the curtains have stayed up on the Chapel Street Players. Its proud members intend to keep it going for another 75.
Newark’s community theater troupe began as the University Drama Group at the University of Delaware, for faculty and staff to get involved in theater productions. It later broadened to the greater community and moved off campus into an old church that was converted into a 175-seat theater in 1969.
Dramas, comedies and the classics have graced Chapel Street’s stage, yet one thing has remained stalwart over the years: the dedication of volunteers, said Scott Mason, board president.
|
One Dame Dazzling September Diamond Anniversary Scott Mason as Dame Edna Sept. 11; 8 p.m., Sept. 12; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sept. 18; 8 p.m., Sept. 19; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets: $10 Box office: 368-2248 |
All-volunteer theaters face challenges finding enough people to get all the work done, he said, but Chapel Street tries to reward its workers.
“We try to make a lot of social activities and also try to keep the stress levels to a minimum,” said Mason, of Newark.
Audiences appreciate the volunteers’ hard work, Mason said -- part of why the theater still exists today is because of its loyal fan following.
People need a theater and Chapel Street fills that void in Newark, said Newark resident Judy David, vice president of the board.
She’s been with the troupe for more than 20 years and much of her dedication comes from her belief that the arts enrich everyone’s lives.
Chapel Street has not shied away from serious topics, like their production of “The Laramie Project,” which is about a young gay man who was brutally beaten and killed in a small town.
“Theater lets us talk about big issues in a way that’s not confrontational,” she said.
The theater’s been good for audiences, but it’s also been good for actors, some of whom cut their teeth on Chapel Street’s stage many years ago.
The troupe is like family and that friendliness has kept Renee O’Leary of Newark with the company for 46 years.
| Chapel Street Timeline
1934, The University Drama Group founded. Its first president is Cornelia Mylerea 1935, The group presents its first play, “Mrs. Bumstead Leigh" 1936, Townspeople join 1948, the group presents its first $50 award to a graduating player 1965, First fundraiser 1969, church on Chapel Street purchased for $32,000 and turned it into a 175-seat theater 1970, New name: The Chapel Street Players |
Through dozens of performances on Chapel Street’s stage, O’Leary said she matured as an actress, learning the ins and outs of a craft she still loves dearly.
“I started out playing all the Marilyn Monroe parts and now I play all the little old lady parts,” she said.
It was close proximity that convinced Holly Barbieri to give Chapel Street a try – the Pike Creek resident was growing tired of driving to Philadelphia to perform in shows.
That was nine years ago and she’s still sticking with it.
The professionalism keeps her coming back. Chapel Street’s actors take their fun very seriously, she said, and cheap costumes or cardboard cutouts are not an option.
It has helped the troupe endure, but what keeps the performers coming back is the sense of connection they get from their fellow actors, said Newark resident Andrew Mitchell.
There are plenty of actors who can’t shake off the pull of community theater, he said.
“Acting is in my DNA and I can’t get away from it.”
