Community theater a success

ALBERTON – The curtain went up last weekend on the first community theater production of its kind in Mineral County as residents of Alberton, with some help from experienced thespians, put on the original play, Briar Rose.

Over the course of two days, Friday, Aug. 15 and Saturday, Aug. 16, Mineral County residents entertained over 150 people during performances featuring song and dance, fantasy and fairy tale and performers young and old.

The production was made possible by members of PEAK (Promoting Excellence of Alberton-area Kids) and some theater experts from halfway across the country.

Author of Briar Rose and choreographer for the production, Anne Brummer from Minnesota, said the event had been a great success for the community of Alberton.

“This week was great,” Brummer said. “Everyday was a new adventure. It was like going down the Clark Fork River. We took the ride and I thought it was just like our rehearsals. There were hurdles we jumped but we just kept paddling and we managed our way through.”

Brummer said the reception from the community to the idea of putting on a theater production was extremely supportive.

She said, on opening night, it was standing room only in the elementary school cafeteria.

“Every seat was full,” Brummer said. “We even had people sitting upstairs. People sang and clapped and laughed. They were so supportive. This is very exciting for me to see everyone soaking all this up. There is such a respect for the written word here. I was honored by how much they care.”

Unlike many participants, one Briar Rose performer had extensive experience in show business. Summer Drey of Superior, playing the evil queen, said she used to perform in television commercials and independent films.

Drey said one thing she appreciated most about the experience was seeing area residents without much or any experience, get some time on the stage and in the spotlight.

“It has been really amazing to see with a little training and dedication, anyone can do something like this,” Drey said. “We did this in just ten days and I was impressed with how quickly the actors picked up this skill. The director was also amazing. She was so patient and forgiving which you don’t see very often in the theater.”

Briar Rose Director Brenda Kane said the success of the production was primarily due to all of the Alberton and Mineral County residents who participated, whether they were on the stage, behind the curtain or in the audience.

She said what made the experience memorable for her was the support of the community for what the people involved with Briar Rose were trying to accomplish.

“I love this place,” Kane said. “They have so much talent here. I’ve never had the opportunity to come into a place where they’ve never had theater. This was really ambitious and I can’t tell you how thrilling it was to watch this community come together and make this happen.”

PEAK vice chair Rosella Sibert said feedback from the community had been extremely positive regarding the production.

Sibert said based on the response from audience members and those who participated, Alberton residents can expect to see more theater in the future.

“This has been better than we could’ve possibly expected,” Sibert said. “It’s been fabulous and a really good fundraiser for us. We are really excited about doing this next year. People were very pleased with the performance and they want it to be a regular thing.”

PEAK is an organization whose stated goal is to, “promote excellence in the Alberton-area kids through cooperative community programs aimed at providing academic, cultural and physical activities that allow for positive and meaningful contributions to our community.”