A Dream Becomes Reality

                                                                                                     Jaime Ruark from Mansfield NOW February 2010
 

For years, hidden among the teachers,
 lawyers, accountants, barbers and bankers of our town, there has been a thriving group of individuals. These locals have had two things in common: a talent for performance art and a lack of forum in which to display that talent. As the number of hometown artists grew, the desire to make Mansfield a place to showcase their skills grew as well. Finally, in May 2009, those dreams became reality, thanks to Scott Ferrell, Martha “Marty” Fredrick and many other motivated thespians, when the Mansfield Community Theatre (MCT) was formed.

That following August, the MCT, with 45 volunteer actors, singers and dancers, 36 orchestra members and 50 designers, technicians, stage hands  and other personnel presented a full-scale Broadway production of The Sound of Music. More than 1,300 theatergoers took in the exciting first production during its three day run. Now, a quick eight months after its inception, the MCT is preparing for its first full season, ready to make a name for itself with quality productions, beautiful props and costumes, and an impressive cast. As co-chairperson of the theatre, Marty Fredrick  cannot speak highly enough about the local talent. With more than 35 years of theatrical experience, the lady knows of what she speaks.

“There are some really respected musicians in this area, some really talented actors. The talent here is impressive,” she said

Marty has experienced many final practices, sound checks and opening nights throughout her career as both a speech and drama teacher and as an amateur and

professional director The road to this latest of curtain calls has been a long and winding one. Following her husband, Virgle, and his career with Burlington Northern,

 Marty moved  from Springfield, Missouri, to Galesburg, Illinois. “The historic Orpheum Theatre, which was on the old Chicago vaudeville circuit, is in Galesburg.

 It’s a gorgeous, big theater, a beautiful historical site,” said the soft-spoken lady, who has left quite a creative wake behind in every town she has visited. “They asked me

 to direct a community production of Mame, and then after that, two friends and I decided to start Galesburg Community Theatre. We produced at least two major works

 a year at that amazing theater.” When Virgle was transferred to Texas, Marty continued to return to Galesburg for three years to direct shows, as well as producing

 and directing Oklahoma! in Branson, Missouri, which starred Rudy Gatlin. She also spent some time traveling with professional touring shows. “It’s really hard to do

 a touring show. It was so much work for me, but my daughters [Sarah and Emily] went with me and they remember that as a really fun time in their lives,”

Marty smiled. “Those years really gave me a lot of experience. I worked with a lot of accomplished professionals.”

 When Marty was not touring, she found a local need for her talents, as well. “For years, I served as the drama ministries director at Walnut Ridge[Baptist Church],

and then also for about five or six years, I served as director for First United Methodist, where Scott is,” she said of her MCT co-chair. “We’d put on shows at church,

 and the parents would come up to me and ask me to teach their kids.” Because, as they say in the biz, “acting is reacting,” Marty would tell those parents they needed to

 get a group together. “You need to be able to have someone or something to react to in order to teach drama, so I opened up the Performing Arts Studio

on Cooper Street,” Marty said. “Along with Christie Garrett, who has the Dance Academy in Mansfield, and Kathy Myers, who is now on the MCT board also, we

offered dance, voice, piano, guitar and all aspects of drama.” From there, Marty joined forces with Scott Ferrell to begin a performing arts program at the Methodist church

called the Arts Institute of Mansfield (AIM). “We have excellent teachers there,” noted Marty, who has a bachelor’s from Drury University and was a former English, drama

and speech teacher in the Missouri public school system.
 

 “I’ve always insisted that our teachers be degreed and have performing and teaching experience. Having been a teacher, it’s really important to me to be able to give the kids a complete

educational experience.” When it came time to produce The Sound of Music, Marty called in her favorite trusted reinforcements. “Virgle and I have produced shows other places,

so I talked to him and said, ‘Why don’t we just produce this show and back it?’” Marty suggested.  Virgle was up for the adventure. “I’ve always known that if I want to spend any time with my wife, I have to be involved in the theater,” he laughed.
 

Despite plans to produce only the one show, things started clicking into place. Marty began receiving support from locals such as Dee Davey and Randall Canedy, and the seed that had been planted for the inception of the MCT began to grow. As Marty said, “It just started mushrooming so fast! Everyone wanted to help, and we had so much support, that while we were producing The Sound of Music, the Community Theatre was born.” Together, Scott and Marty have more than 60 years of theatrical experience, a fact which has begun to attract many talented artists and performers. Volunteers for the myriad tasks behind the scenes also quickly began to emerge. With so much local talent, it seems almost impossible for the theater to not be a hit, and with Marty at the helm, new talent is sure to be found and cultivated. As a teacher and director, Marty not only stresses a complete artistic educational  process; she also focuses on keeping that environment an encouraging and positive one. “That is something that is not often found in theater, unfortunately. A lot of times, the directors are yelling and loud,” she admitted. “Not at our theater. Even with adults, the only way I direct is by encouraging and having a positive attitude. I believe that leaders set the tone, and we want this to be a place for everyone, a theater for the whole family.”

With this month’s show, Meet Me in St.Louis, and future plays and musicals,

such as My Fair Lady, in the works, the MCT is ready to showcase some impressive talent.

"It’s really an exciting time. Our goal is to make great family entertainment and see the arts grow.

 I can’t wait for the future — we already have so much potential,” Marty expressed.

“We’re going to put this town on the theatrical map!”

For more information, tickets and to support MCT, visit
www.mansfieldcommunitytheatre.org

MCT Sponsored in part by DMG Masonry and Plaster and Find One Find All 2-Way Wireless Key Finders