A new theater opportunity for area youth is now available. Marley Kennedy and the Dresden Church have teamed up to form the Dresden Village Community Theater (DVCT).
“We’re trying to find ways to get more kids engaged, community-wide and county-wide. That’s a big thing with Dresden Church is that we’re super community-focused and wanting to get kids involved in our jam youth group and other things and expand that, make it more open,” explained Kennedy.
After nine years of working with Tri-Valley Schools, Kennedy is tapping into her talent and experience to bring this new venture to life with the help of Dresden Church staff, Pastor Dan, and participating youth.
“I went to Dan and I said, what if we did this crazy idea. I said, what if we just full-on did a community theater out of the church, and funds could be split, like, to go back towards the theater program, to pay for the next show, buy costumes, whatever, I said, but then funds can also be put towards any improvement things we need here at the church or outreach programs…he goes, let’s do it!”
Plays will be held in the church’s newly remodeled sanctuary with auditorium-style seating for about 250 people.
“It’s open to, with it being a community theater, anyone and everyone, whoever is willing to drive to Dresden to do it.”
Kennedy brings a wealth of experience to DVCT.
“I’ve been directing shows and helping out with shows since 2018. I did theater all through high school and middle school, so this is a world I’m really familiar with, as well as I’m passionate about it, plus the idea of not having to leave my Tri-Valley kids fully, and they can still go and do the drama club at their schools and stuff, all of them can, but it’s nice that I’ll be able to still touch base.”
Auditions for the first play have already taken place, and the cast and crew are set for Rotten Apples, which will hit the stage November 14, 15, 21, and 22 at 7:30 p.m. with additional matinee show times on November 15 and 22 at 12:30 p.m.
“Erica Lewis, who will be a senior at Tri-Valley, is student directing our first show, Rotten Apples, and she’s excited.”
“What’s nice about it, almost, is that it’s a one-set show, but it can have three different endings, so audiences can come and see a different ending every single night. Or we could make it crazy and do the same, all three endings all together, like there’s a bunch of different options.”
“So the dream is to have like, you know, I’d have a student director, a student stage manager, a student lighting director. So they learn all aspects. And then it creates more experience. And then they can decide if they want, because people can say what they want, but there are so many different avenues to do this professionally if they wanted to or in different ways. And some of that is sometimes getting these small experiences of stuff like that.”
Two more shows, musicals, have already been selected for later in the season. Audition times will be posted on the theater’s Facebook page as we get closer to the winter and spring plays.
The Dresden Village Community Theater is performing out of the Dresden Church, located at 1014 Main Street in Dresden. Kennedy can be reached by email at dresdenvct@gmail.com. Follow the theater’s Facebook page for show schedules, updates, and audition times for future shows.
“I’m really excited about this opportunity, Kennedy shared. “I love Dresden so much. This is a town that’s very near and dear to my heart. … And to be able to start something and impact kids that I care about, as well as meet new people that may discover fun things. I’m just excited. And I feel really grateful that I have a church family that’s willing to jump on the roller coaster with me. And that’s awesome.”
