Gilroy
– Right now, Gilroy thespians need more than just a round of
applause.
Gilroy – Right now, Gilroy thespians need more than just a round of applause.
The Odyssey Theatre Company – which produces all Gilroy High School’s plays and musicals – will perform at 8pm Friday to raise money for next year’s productions. The event features 20-year stage veteran Sandra Marlowe, who will sing tunes from a variety of genres with classical pianist Anthony Davis as accompaniment.
“It is very difficult to survive on ticket sales alone, so, like many nonprofit companies, Odyssey must fund-raise and rely on donations to survive,” wrote Dennis Beasley, artistic director for the company.
In addition to funding three high school productions each year, the company puts on two plays using local actors. It also provides a $500 scholarship to artists – pursuing painting, acting or other artistic disciplines – enrolled at an accredited two- or four-year college.
As the cost to produce shows ranges from a few thousand dollars to $12,000, the company’s operational budget can reach $25,000 per year. However, the yearly budget – and the quality of the productions – is dependent on how much the company fund-raises.
“The less money we can bring in, the less money we can spend on bringing high quality artists,” said Beasley. “To grow the art, you have to bring in professionals.”
To bring this message home, the theater company is bringing in Marlowe to expose Gilroyans to decades of experience in the music scene. Marlowe has applied her gospel roots to stages across California. In addition to performing a range of songs, she has also coached at area performance companies. Davis, a Bay Area musician who has classical training and years of experience playing jazz, will accompany her.
Marlowe is donating her time and efforts for the concert – not only for the benefit of the theater company, but also for the city as a whole.
“I think as a community, it’s timely to begin to build the arts scene here,” she said.
