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By Christian Simmons

The K-V Dispatch

The goal is to not just put on a show for their fellow residents, but to help the community. That’s what the people who volunteer with the Southside Area Community Theater (SACT) focus on, sharing their love for the Arts as well as a love for Kenbridge in general.

“Every show is a labor of love, and our talented group of actors, directors and crew members are volunteers. The goal of SACT is to be a community theater that is connected to and supportive of the community in which we operate.” Meagan Dayton, a SACT member, said.

Members say SACT believes in keeping things local. That goes for the performances they do, as well as the talent they use.

“Our performances aim to showcase local talent and make theater experiences more accessible to the community. The cast and crew in our performances range from veterans who have been working with SACT for years to brand-new faces,” Dayton said.

When it comes to SACT, there’s a wide range of shows offered each year. That ranges from musicals to straight plays and even revues. The most recent ones were Mama Won’t Fly, Matilda, Sweet Delilah Swim Club and Chicago.

And again, it all goes back to focusing on the community. Yes, they perform, but all the proceeds from the shows go right back into Kenbridge and the surrounding area through the group’s other programs.

“We have provided performing arts scholarships to high school seniors in Nottoway and Lunenburg to support arts education,” Dayton said. “We also enjoy participating in other community events. This year, we were in the Kenbridge July Jubilee Parade, and last year, we sang at the South Hill Farmers Market.”

The point, she said, is to be a community theater that’s both connected to and supportive of the community.

“We aim to do this in a few different ways. Our primary purpose is to put on shows that highlight local talent and make theater experiences more accessible to the community.” Dayton added.

‘WE SAVE WHEN WE CAN’

And sure, like any other organization, SACT has seen some struggles.

“Our biggest challenge is typically the cost to produce a show,” Dayton said. “We try to price tickets to make our shows as accessible as possible, but we have to rent space, pay for show rights, rent scripts and music, and purchase props and costumes. We save when we can by reusing or borrowing props and costumes.”

However, Dayton said, show rights and material prices are higher than you might expect. As a non-profit, the group relies on community support through ticket sales and advertisements in the playbills to keep the shows coming. The more support they get, the more they can do. It’s as simple as that.

“I’d say we also work with a smaller stage than some other organizations,” Dayton said. “We love our stage in the Kenbridge Community Center. However, the building is over 100 years old and has spent most of its history as a school. This means it doesn’t have as much space as newer theaters, especially backstage.”

But once the curtain rises, none of that matters.

“The incredible talents of our directors, cast, and crew allow us to put together shows that transport you to another place.” Meagan Dayton said.

WHAT’S COMING UP?

SACT has numerous programs operating at different times over the next few weeks.

“This summer, we are taking our audience to the French Riviera with the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels! Based on the popular 1988 MGM film, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is full of high jinks and hilarity,” Dayton said.

Dayton does caution people that the musical is rated PG- 13 for adult content, but it’ll take place at the Community Center, located at 511 E. 5th Avenue in Kenbridge. That’ll be on Aug. 2 and 3 at 7 p.m. each night, plus 3 p.m. on Aug. 4. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door or online at sacttheater.com. Now beyond that, the group is also planning a Holiday Revue in December, but that date’s still to be determined.