Today we’d like to introduce you to Troy Civic Theatre.
Hi Troy Civic, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Dr. Bruce Scranton and David Ross hatched the idea for a local theatre one summer evening in 1965. It had been discussed before by some of the founders of TCT, but it took Bruce and Dave to get things going. The first meeting drew an attendance of 65 interested people. The second meeting was at Hobart Technical Center, which became the initial home of the theatre. Most shows in the early years were presented in the Tech Center, until 1973. By the 1974-75 Season, Troy Civic Theater moved from the Tech Center to its present location in Troy Community Park. The Barn was originally the Waco assembly plant on Staunton Road, until it was moved to the Park. Shows had been done the season before in a sort of open-air, unfinished version of the barn, but TCT’s official opening at the new location was 1974’s repeat performance of “You Can’t Take it With You”. This move changed many things: There was no grand drape, the theatre went from a proscenium stage to a three-quarter (thrust) stage, and from a house that seated 300 to an audience of 120-130.
In TCT’s 5th decade, “The Barn in the Park” had a new look. With the assistance of the City of Troy and grant funds, as well as support from loyal patrons, the porch was enclosed to make a new lobby, and the city built public restrooms for audiences. Comfortable seating with new risers was added, along with new back sound panels to enhance the atmosphere in the Paul G. Duke auditorium. A few years later, a permanent raised stage area for better viewing of the productions was built. The theatre continues to be improved, such as updated light and sound systems, and renovating the behind the stage areas. TCT’s vast collection of costumes and props were moved to a storage area called “The Gerri Nichols Annex”, an almost 6,000 square foot warehouse space founded by and named for TCT’s longest continuously active original member. The theatre continues to make props and costumes available for rent to anyone.
Over the years, TCT members stayed busy, keeping an active presence in the Troy community to market the theatre, with floats in parades, melodrama’s performed during the Troy Strawberry Festival, and Christmas programs for the community, as well as rep theatre productions for local organizations. The program book took on a different look with advertisers and corporate sponsors starting to support individual productions. Troy Civic Theatre has maintained close relationships with other area community theatres, including being an active member of the DayTony Organization and the Ohio Community Theatre Association. TCT members have worked closely on and off stage in throughout the region, including Sock & Buskin in Sidney, Dayton Playhouse, Dayton Theatre Guild, Beavercreek Community Theatre, Brookville Community Theatre, Xenia Area Community Theatre, Amil Tellers of Dramatics in Lima, Wapakoneta Theatre Guild, Holland Theatre in Bellefontaine, and Perennial Theatre in Urbana.
Known for “Award-Winning Theatre in Your Backyard”, TCT has been honored with numerous recognitions for tech design and execution, direction, costumes, props, and performances by Troy audiences, the DayTony Organization, the Ohio Community Theatre Association, and the American Association of Community Theatres. Over the last 15years, excerpts from TCT productions of “Escanaba in Da’ Moonlight”, “Angel Street”, “The Tin Woman”, “Godspell”, “The Women of Lockerbie”, and “Barefoot in the Park” have been invited to perform at OCTA’s annual State Conference, with “Angel Street’ and “The Tin Woman” additionally being invited to the AACT Region 3 conference (held every other year). Multiple TCT members have been honored with the OCTA West Region Spirit of Community Theatre award, founding member Gerri Nichols was inducted into the DayTony Dayton Theatre Hall of Fame, and two TCT members (Gerri Nichols and Peg Dietrich) have been inducted into the OCTA Hall of Fame.
Everyone involved in Troy Civic Theatre are volunteers, with the theatre being one of the very few in Ohio that does not pay any actors, tech and support staff, designers, directors, or musicians. TCT members enjoy providing live theater for the community. With more than sixty years in Troy, Ohio, it is a comfort to know TCT is still around and thriving in the era of action films and the internet. We have seen several theatre companies struggle and sadly a few have disappeared, but thanks to our members, friends, volunteers, faithful patrons, advertisers, and sponsors we are able to continue to bring live theater full of local talent to our audiences. Thank you for your continued support – here’s to 60 more years!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with any volunteer organization, active membership comes and goes. There have been times when the budget has been tight, and fund-raising efforts have been ramped up. However, TCT members are resilient and always come together to work through the touch times.
Most recently, the Covid pandemic was the biggest struggle we faced. The winter production of Proof was closing on March 15, 2020 the day Governor De Wine shut down Ohio. The next scheduled production, The Hallelujah Girls, had just been cast the week before and was due to start rehearsals March 16th. The cast and director got together every couple of weeks via Zoom to run through lines and discuss characters – until the theatre was allowed to reopen in late spring of 2021 – with the performances finally occurring in the summer of 2021, to a greatly restricted number of audience members. By the 2021-22 season, restrictions were lifting and the theatre returned to a more normal capacity, happily welcome back beloved audience members and long-time supporters and members. TCT was very lucky – several theatres throughout Ohio did not survive the pandemic.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
A lot of this information is in the first answer. Troy Civic Theatre is a non-profit 501C3 community theatre that is completely run by volunteers – something very rarely seen anymore in the Dayton area, or throughout Ohio. The theatre produces 3-5 shows a year, typically a mix of comedy/farce, drama, and musicals. The current space is a a converted barn that originally was part of the Waco airfield, and has been updated to offer modern theatrical lighting and sound over the years. The stage is a 3 quarter, or thrust, stage, with a small workshop to one side, and a modest dressing room/green room area for cast and crew on the other side. Due to space limitations in the building, the majority of costumes and props, as well as some set pieces, are stored off-site, in a warehouse space also located in Troy.
TCT offers season ticket packages at the beginning of each season (September through May), and individual show tickets. TCT members are always willing to lend a hand creating theatrical experiences with other local organization, rent and loan costumes, props, and tech equipment, and even create decorative touches for holiday displays for organizations like the Hayner Center annual winter holiday themes.
TCT members have a vast range of experiences, knowledge, theatrical training, and previous professional experience. We encourage everyone to come volunteer – regardless of current skills or prior training. While experts at design, building, painting, lights, and sound are always welcome, we also need people to hold the wood still while the experts are screwing it together, apply the base coat of paint before the set wizards add the intricate details, hand out programs to the audience, wash dishes, and even occasionally cook eggs backstage before the cast has to eat them onstage! TCT is a family that truly welcomes anyone and everyone.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Join organizations and be active within them = online and in person! Through TCT’s continued membership with the DayTony organization and OCTA, we have formed close connections with theatres throughout Ohio and beyond. Get to know others in your field, and help support one another.
Pricing:
- Individual tickets – $16-18 each
Contact Info:
- Website: https://troycivictheatre.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troycivictheatre/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/troycivictheatre
