THEATER GROUP SPOTLIGHTS LOCAL TALENT BUT KEEPS IT SHORT:
THOSE BEHIND SHOW HAVE JUGGLED A VARIETY OF ROLES

Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 01/16/2003
Page: 1D
Headline: THEATER GROUP SPOTLIGHTS LOCAL TALENT:
BUT KEEPS IT SHORT THOSE BEHIND SHOW HAVE JUGGLED A VARIETY OF ROLES
Byline: D.B. SHAWVER




IN today's busy world, it can be hard to find time to fit in cultural enrichment, unless, of course, you'd put watching television in the category of culture.

Maybe television has its moments, but there is nothing like live theater.

"But who has the time to go see a play?" you may ask.

If you're in that predicament, Kanawha Players has the answer, at least for tonight. "Briefs and Shorts," an evening of two one-act plays, is billed as a way to "get your theater fix and still get home by 10 p.m."

One of the shows, "Burnt Sienna" was written by local director/ filmmaker and playwright Sam Holdren. "Arabian Nights," by David Ives, is the second piece that will be performed.

You get just one chance to see this production.

"Briefs and Shorts" is the umbrella title for a series of short performances that Kanawha Players has been putting on nearly every month since last fall, Holdren said.

As in most community theater groups, the people creating the show have to juggle various roles. Holdren not only wrote "Burnt Sienna," he's directing it. He will also play a role in "Arabian Nights." Hannah Toney, director of "Arabian Nights," also is performing in it.

Asked about the technical crew for the plays, Toney said, "A crew? Imagine that."

Holdren and Toney laid down the stage, and the set for "Arabian Nights" is described as "stuff from Toney's home." One of her roommates, Phil Perry, helped her haul the set over in his van.

Sometimes from such humble beginnings, greatness is born.

This is Toney's first onstage performance in the Charleston area, as well as her directorial debut locally. But Toney has worked backstage for just about every theater group in the Tri-State area, including the Charleston Light Opera Guild, Kanawha Players, Charleston Stage Company, the Paramount Arts Center and the Charleston Ballet, just to name a few.

"Instead of going to a larger place - where I was kind of 'expected' to go to further my career - I thought I'd head back to Charleston and see if I couldn't lend some sort of hand in making the arts a viable career choice in West Virginia," the Nitro native said. "It seemed too easy to just run away and go somewhere else where a base was firmly in place, why not stay here and try to help establish one?

"It's harder, and it's infuriating most of the time," she added, "but it seems more worth the time and effort."

Holdren is currently working for several arts groups in the area and is planning to go to graduate school to study filmmaking soon.

" 'Burnt Sienna' is a simple 10-minute play," he said, "about a cocky football player who goes into a library and asks the wrong girl out - and he gets more than he bargained for."

"The cast is a 14-year-old and a 17-year-old," he added. "The outcome may not be what an audience might hope for, but it's based on a strong character, on what the character would actually do."

Holdren, also a Charleston area native, has been involved with Kanawha Players since last spring. His tasks have run the gamut from selling ads for programs to composing music. He recently finished an undergraduate degree from West Virginia State College - he now holds a bachelor's degree in communications and bachelor's in English/professional writing.

Kanawha Players is hoping to expand "Briefs and Shorts," and is looking at more original works from local playwrights.

"The best-case scenario would be one performance every month," Holdren said. Performances also have been held in Taylor Books.

"This provides a stomping ground for new artists, new playwrights, people who don't have time to participate in a full-length production," he said. "We're looking for new voices, and variety."

Holdren and Kanawha Players are interested in receiving new submissions and/or in hearing from people who might like to become involved in any capacity. To make a submission or to get more information, send an e-mail to Briefsandshorts3@aol.com.

"I would hate to be the only playwright to contribute to this program. It would be wrong," Holdren said.

Added Toney, "Directing is the big picture. It's having a huge say - THE say - on lights, sets, props, costumes, and the final performance product. You have to allow the performers and designers to create and have ownership of their theatrical product, but as the director you are the direction - you're the concept and you have to hold the other pieces together and make sure everyone is on the same page."