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Lighthouse Children's Theatre: Dreams in the making come to life
The Lighthouse Children's Theatre in El Dorado Springs began in August 2007 because of the vision of Lynne Hedrick, a woman who is dedicated to enriching the lives of children and making a difference in her community. Hedrick retired from teaching school in 2003 and began operating a successful home-based business, but still found herself wanting to do something else, something bigger, more important.
Having minored in theater in college, Hedrick had the idea to begin a children's theater group. In her mind's eye she "saw a stage and on the stage were children, and they were singing and they were dancing and they were in costume. Their faces were lit up and so were those of parents, relatives and community members in the audience." After seeing this image, Hedrick knew she had to find a way to make the vision a reality.
Hedrick found a mentor who had done something similar. Ronda Verges made a promise to her son who lived in Missouri, just before he was tragically killed, to begin a children's theater group in Missouri. Hedrick found Verges in Maine just by chance while using a specific query string on an Internet search engine.
At that moment she knew that she was going to begin what would turn out to be the Lighthouse Children's Theatre. She traveled to Maine and spent a week with Verges learning how she had started a children's theater troupe and production company there.
The idea continued to evolve and grow into something real as a result of Hedrick's visit with Verges and her drive to make a children theater happen in El Dorado Springs. As executive director, Hedrick is very passionate when she speaks of how "it's just about becoming involved and investing in our most precious resource, our children. This not only strengthens ties within our community, it is like building a bridge between communities."
The Lighthouse has no restriction on who may join. Children and adults from nearby communities and anywhere in the surrounding area are welcome to take part and find "their light." All of our children, those in town and in the country, "are looking to us to establish a foundation of community pride and community spirit, and adults have to find a place to fit in that foundation which will enrich all our lives and communities on a long term basis," said Hedrick.
And the Lighthouse is doing just that. It has brought together resources from El Dorado Springs, the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency headquartered in St. Louis and the Community Council for the Performing Arts in Nevada. All of these groups have worked together to make the LCT an immediate success. The vision and calling of one caring individual has grown into an organization that has just finished incorporating this year and hopes to be granted 501 (c) (3) status by the end of the year.
LCT has already staged several productions and had one awards banquet. The organization held a fundraiser in April and has recently begun its new semester of acting classes. Classes for two age groups of children are under way. Fireflies are the youngsters in the troupe and range in age from 3 to 6 and will be working on a presentation of "Frosty the Snowman," to be staged the first weekend in December.
The older players, up to 17 years of age are preparing for a production of "A Charlie Brown Christmas," also to be held in December. During classes children are taught stage direction and etiquette, characterization, voice projection and other skills essential to putting on a good show.
Hedrick isn't the only adult involved in the day to day activities of the group. "It's been amazing, incredible, the overwhelming response of busy parents, private citizens," said Hedrick. Several members of the community and area have volunteered their talents and time to help bring Hedrick's dream to fruition.
A dedicated board of directors guides the group true to its mission statement. Nevada attorney Kendall Vickers has provided invaluable advice and services, pro bono. And then there are people like Joan McPeak of Tiffin. McPeak is an amateur Minnie Pearl impersonator who loves the theater and kids who says, "we're working to give kids self confidence so they can go with whatever life throws at them." McPeak has been with LCT since the beginning and helps out wherever she is needed and considers herself sort of a "surrogate" mother to the children.
Dee Shouse also helps out with the productions. With a background in theater she has taken on the daunting task of creating the costuming for the shows. If needed, Shouse can pitch in and help with set design and creating props for the stage. She enjoys working with the children, "they're so eager to learn," she said. LCT has really become a group effort for these women and all those involved. "The Lighthouse belongs to everyone," said Hedrick.
Though casting for the December show has taken place, there are still things needing done. Any and all are welcome to come and share their "light" with the troupe. The Dec. 4 and 5 performances are to be held at the First Baptist Church in El Dorado Springs.
For more information or to volunteer, call Lynne Hedrick at (417) 876-3712 or visit the LCT Web site at www.lighthousechildrenstheatre.org/index.htm. There is also a link to their site on the Community Council for the Performing Arts Web site at www.nevadamoccpa.org/about.htm.