Zestful passion, sure vision, and the earnest desire to create. Few things impress my imagination more. By happy chance, there’s a place in St Petersburg where all three exist with an overflow of vitality. Saint Petersburg City Theater.
I was introduced to St Petersburg City Theatre (SPCT) in 2013 when my neighbor invited me to the command performance of 9 to 5. That evening’s show was a fundraiser for Friends of the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum, and I recall thinking the collaboration between the two nonprofits was charming. I also remember how drab, and time worn the lobby looked, filled with hand me down, mismatched furniture, floor tiles with chipped corners and walls painted in a color that I struggle to describe as a soft brownish, dusty-coral orange tone. Yet, what I perceived as the essence of the theatre is what stays with me today. I recognized the walls as a memorial, erected to venerate countless hours of effort, devotion, joy, and friendship. The celebration in the lobby, as the cast greeted the audience that evening, echoed my impression. This place was special.
Three years later my daughter’s friend planned to audition for Elf, Jr. and invited her to join. I wasn’t expecting the significant life lesson that would follow. You see, my daughter has an unchallenged sway about her. And up until that tender age of 10 she hadn’t experienced much disappointment. She was determined to audition for the lead. The role was given to an older more experienced teen and initially, the blow to my daughter’s confidence produced inconsolable tears. Then the magic happened, new friends made their way to comfort her, empathy and compassion were thick in that outmoded lobby. She quickly regrouped and committed to being first rate in the role she was given. Proud mom alert – She had several lines in that production, which is a big deal for a first timer.
The year that followed was brimming with fascination and curiosity as she continued in the youth program. Every Saturday from 9:00 – 1:00 working on the life skills of self-confidence, problem solving, cooperation and aesthetic appreciation whilst exploring challenging social scenarios and vulnerable emotions in a safe and supportive environment. Yes, participating in a theatrical production covers all that. Founded in 1925, with a vision to promote and create local theatre dedicated to teaching and training non-professional artists of any age, Saint Petersburg City Theater remains a vibrant thread in the present creation of a dynamic theatre arts community in St Petersburg. I chuckle as I think of my pre-teen daughter saying, “I love it here. They don’t treat you like a kid.”
Spring 2017 brought news of the prospective closure of St Petersburg City Theatre. It caught me by surprise. How could an organization with a flourishing youth education program shutter after 92 years? The answer became irrelevant as I committed to help keep the doors open. My devotion was strengthened when another volunteer found notes from a 1942 board meeting. They stated that the theatre was experiencing financial hardship and a diminishing volunteer base. “How exciting!” I thought. The theatre had been in this predicament before. That knowledge filled me with unalterable determination. I was now a community theatre advocate with a duty to honor SPCT’s history with all its fluctuations of prosperity and adversity.
The last five years have been replete with a purposed attempt to execute capital improvements, raise program visibility, increase membership, and engage a more robust volunteer base. Success has been realized in numerous ways but there is much more to be done. •
