Page 46 - the NOISE June 2014

ABOVE: The Lonesome Valley Playhouse’s cast of Grease (left) and Wizard of OZ (right) are two past plays put on by the theater group. PHOTOS COURTESY DAVE VEATCH
There are some people in this world who are drawn to the stage, the smell of greasepaint, and the glare of stage lights. And there are those who don’t just want to be on
stage, but want to make that theater magic happen. Clyde Neville, founder of the Lonesome Valley Playhouse (LVP) in Prescott Valley, loves it all. Perhaps more importantly, he loves to share that passion with his community.
Mr. Neville was in his first play, MASH, over 20 years ago on the Prescott Center for the Arts (PCA) main stage. The experi- ence of performing and of being deeply involved in the set design sparked a long-term love for theater.
During his time at PCA, Mr. Neville was involved in a men- torship program for theater directing. For several years, he honed his skills in direction, set design and lighting. He also was involved with PCA’s production committee for a number of years, learning the process for choosing plays and more general management skills.
It was during a PCA production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe that he discovered how much he enjoyed work- ing in children’s theater. Mr. Neville has worked with kids for a number of years in other capacities, including serving 14 years on the Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club, and sees theater as another venue for children to participate and develop skills that can be applied both on and off the stage.
His love of children’s theater was a driving force behind Mr. Neville’s decision to found a community theater group in Prescott Valley. He noted that when he left PCA, “They were really only doing two children’s theater shows a year.” Mr. Neville wanted to offer kids more opportunities to participate in theater.
“It broke my heart to see so many kids come out to audition and then only a few were chosen,” said Mr. Neville. While he acknowledges that PCA has begun to offer a greater variety of children’s theater options, it is important to him that every child who wants to be part of a show is included. “If a kid comes and wants to be in a play, we’ll find something, no mat- ter how small, for that child to do.”
Mr. Neville wasted no time putting the lessons learned from PCA and his work in several other community organizations to use in Lonesome Valley Playhouse. The values of mentor- ship, empowerment and inclusiveness, are at the core of this thriving theater truly geared toward the community it serves. It comes as no surprise that the playhouse, now in its eleventh year, has developed a passionate and loyal following.
For a non-profit arts organization like Lonesome Valley Playhouse to succeed, connection to its community is vital. Mr. Neville’s years of experience and commitment to the lo- cal arts and culture scene has helped this theater company to maintain a place of relevance. After several years of perfo-
ring at various venues, the playhouse is preparing to move soon to a permanent home in the heart of Prescott Valley.
Mentorship is a key component to LVP’s success. Mr. Nev- ille created a formal program to pass on his years of experi- ence in various aspects of theater work. His success with the mentorship program has garnered attention from other theater organizations and invitations to advise and share his experiences have followed.
The mentorship program focuses on all aspects of theater work, although there are specialties available in Directing, Stage Management, Choreography, Set Design & Construc- tion, Tech, Costuming, Musical Directing, Hair & Makeup, Marketing, and Volunteer Coordinating. While it’s possible to study a bit of everything, many will benefit from the current trend that allows students to dig a bit deeper into their areas of interest.
Local dancer and actress Alexes Niekamp is one of the early graduates of LVP’s mentorship program who has gone on to take a leadership role with the theater. Now 19, Ms. Niekamp began her time with LVP when she was 11 years old in a performance of Treasure Island. “I can’t remember what I played ... it was probably a rock or something, but I loved it and I kept coming back,” she said.
Ms. Niekamp credits her time with the theater and specifi- cally the mentorship program with her confidence in taking on the position of Lead Choreographer for the group. She graduated under Mr. Neville’s mentorship with an emphasis on general theater, choreography and directing. She has done so well that putting her in charge of the dance numbers was an easy choice.
At 19, Ms. Niekamp has already been assistant director for three plays and has choreographed another eight shows. While this definitely shows dedication on her part, it also il- lustrates the opportunities available for young theater ma- vens at LVP.
One thing both Mr. Neville and Ms. Niekamp share is the spirit of inclusion. Ms. Niekamp spent her early years in Cali- fornia and remembered that, “I was too young to understand
... but it felt terrible when I tried out for a part and didn’t get it.” It seems genuinely important to her that anyone who wants to be in a play will be cast in some sort of role. “I like it that we give people a chance and they surprise themselves with what they can do with a little practice.”
When asked what she’s learned from her years with the or- ganization, Ms. Niekamp noted that the role of the teacher has presented new challenges for her. “I’m used to working out dance moves in a certain amount of time, but when I’m teaching I have to take the other person’s process into consid- eration,” she said. While she admits it can be tough, she en- joys it when “someone says they can’t dance and then a few weeks later they are on stage and doing great.”
Ms. Niekamp can’t imagine a future without theater and dance. She’s currently in college, but she also dreams of the chance to audition for a Broadway play and hopes to even- tually become a theater professional. She pointed out that much of what she’s learned at LVP has helped her in other ways, too. “It’s easier to approach people and socialize,” she said. “And all the line memorization has definitely helped me academically.”
While LVP does an awful lot of children’s theater, they are also committed to producing shows for adults. They will be producing The Rocky Horror Picture show for a run this Octo- ber. The current plan is to perform at the Elks Opera House in Prescott and then to have a longer run in an outdoor venue in Prescott Valley. This is hugely welcome news for fans of the cult classic.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show began on the stage in 1973 before taking over the silver screen in 1975. Since then, both the play and the movie have maintained a rabid fan base. The show is incredibly campy, but it’s the audience participa- tion that seems to keep people coming back for more. Ms. Niekamp, who led several LVP players in the “Time Warp” dance at last year’s Fright Night IV, is also serving as Lead Cho- reographer for the performances.
This summer, LVP has a few theatrical tricks up their sleeves with the Children’s Summer Workshop, which will culminate in a performance of Aladdin, and the musical staple, Oklaho- ma! As always, Mr. Neville and LVP are more than willing to welcome anyone interested in performing on stage or help- ing out with the more technical side of theater.
As arts education funding is cut ever more deeply in Arizo- na, organizations like Lonesome Valley Playhouse are taking on an increasingly important role. While it is important for adults to have opportunities to continue to learn and expand their horizons, a lasting impact is made when children have the opportunity to fully participate in the performing arts. They are the ones, after all, who freely share their experiences, skills and self-confidence with their peers and families.
PrescottValleyPerformingArts.org
| Angie Johnson Schmit is a cause of theat- rics all her own. prescott@thenoise.us
46 • JUNE 2015 • the NOISE arts & news • thenoise.us