The South Valley boasts several community theater groups
offering numerous ways to get involved, from actor to
spectator.
”
We have a huge variety of things to choose from to attend,
”
said Rod Pintello, co-owner of the Pintello Comedy Theater.
”
Most communities don’t have this much.
”
The South Valley boasts several community theater groups offering numerous ways to get involved, from actor to spectator.
“We have a huge variety of things to choose from to attend,” said Rod Pintello, co-owner of the Pintello Comedy Theater. “Most communities don’t have this much.”
It’s all thanks to the effort of the countless volunteers who spend hours behind the scenes doing everything from painting sets to sewing costumes and rehearsing lines.
“This is a hobby for most people involved,” said Shon Morrison, president of the board of the San Benito Stage Company. “They love doing it, and there is a lot of time spent doing it. We put in a lot of hours, and we do it for the love of it, because none of us get paid.”
The reward, although not monetary, is a break from the grind of the nine-to-five workday and the chance to do what they love with like-minded individuals. The best part is that anyone can do it, whether they’re age six or 60. And children benefit from involvement in community theater in their own way.
“The bottom line of our program is to build self-esteem, not looking for perfection … looking to have fun,” said Jeannette Miller with Hollister’s Rainbow Theatre, which is offered through the city’s recreation department for youth ages 5 to 21.
Miller said she could care less if the kids sing on key as long as they’re confronting their fears – something that will help them in all areas of life.
It may not be Broadway, but some local theater groups do approach professionalism, attracting audiences from 40 to 50 miles away for sell-out performances. One of the valley’s oldest and most successful theater groups, the South Valley Civic Theatre, has put on what it calls a “well-balanced group of community performances” for more than 30 years.
Recently, SVCT moved into the remodeled, historic church building that is the new Morgan Hill Community Playhouse.
“Finally, after so many years of living out of a suitcase, South Valley Civic Theatre has a home,” said Pintello, who is also on the SVCT board of directors.
Other companies are not so fortunate, struggling to find performance spaces and pay the high south Silicon Valley rents.
“We wish we had the facility they have for South Valley Civic Theatre,” Morrison said. “They can put on any production that they want.”
The Odyssey Theatre company resides at Gilroy High School, where it fulfills its mission of providing arts education experiences while serving as a resource for teachers. Odyssey Theatre is searching for board members who would like to help build up the company and assist in hiring producers and directors, said board member Jackie Stevens.
Most community theaters welcome donations, because few can rely on ticket sales alone. Theater groups invite people to join their mailing lists to learn more about how to volunteer or make a donation.
The City of Gilroy’s Department of Community Services usually puts on three plays a year. Any funds remaining after each production is paid for are funneled into a free day of art for kids. There usually isn’t much money left over, said Cathy Mirelez, cultural arts and museum supervisor.
“Theater productions are costly, you have the director, the lighting, the publicity. There is quite a large budget on each production,” she said.
But companies such as SVCT try to keep ticket prices low to attract theatergoers.
“I am sold on it,” Morrison said. “I think the community would be sold on it knowing what you pay to go to a movie these days. Basically for the same price, you could be entertained, live entertainment.”
