In the world of community theater, there aren’t many troupes that last half a century, but one is the Georgetown Theater Workshop.
To celebrate the milestone, the group’s president, Liz-Mary Murray, brought one of the original members, Sue Clohecy, to talk about the launch on WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” show. Clohecy recalled how it all began.
“I was one of the founding members. There were 11 of us, and we decided—we were doing plays for the church, to benefit the church—we decided to start our own group so we could present plays all year long, and not just the one we did for the church,” he said.
Murray added that before the first show of the season takes the stage, there’s going to be a “50th Anniversary Benefit Bash” to celebrate. “We’re kicking off our 50th anniversary season with a celebration event. The whole community is welcome. We’re going to be sharing live music, food, some scene performances to show off what we do, and some of what our members are doing with us, and that’s happening also at the Byfield Community Arts Center on Saturday, Sept. 14.”
Following the celebration, it will be time for costumes, make up and the spotlights
“After our kick off bash, we are producing ‘Peter Pan’ in November. That goes off Nov. 1st through the 11th also at the Byfield Community Arts Center, and we’re excited about that. We have 22 local folks that are going to be on stage, people of all ages, and we hope people of all ages are going to come and enjoy the show. We have seven performances planned. In the spring of 2025, in March, we will do a radio play, Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder in the Studio,’ and then we are going to close our season in May with a comedy, which is to be announced, but we’re very excited. It’s going to be a fun time in the theater,” Murray explained.
The fundraiser takes place Saturday, Sept. 14, with doors open at 6:30 and program at 7:30 p.m., at the Byfield Community Arts Center, 7 Central St., in Byfield. That’s off Interstate 95, exit 81. Music, dancing and celebration follows.
Tickets for the “50th Anniversary Benefit Bash” to benefit the Georgetown Theater Workshop are $50, and may be purchased online at gtowntheatre.org/bash.html.
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