Wakulla Community Theater is seeking support
Mina Sutton with Reba Mason and Nancy Commander of Wakulla Community Theater. By MINA SUTTON Of WCT
Back in 1991, Reba Mason had a dream. She and her husband, Mike, had been living in Wakulla County for several years. Reba was a successful choir director at the Crawfordville United Methodist church. Mrs. Mason led her choir in a fundraiser that turned into what we now know as Wakulla Community Theater. Reba’s dream of bringing live theater to Wakulla County had come true!
The last musical was the spring of 2009. In the meantime, Nancy Commander and Mina Sutton were teachers and co-directors of the theater group at Riversprings Middle School. One day they were talking and the subject of the community theater came up. Both ladies agreed that upon retirement, they would work together to bring Wakulla Community Theater back to the county.
After many meetings with Reba, Nancy and Mina are organizing the theater. Plans are in the works to host a fundraiser variety show February 11, 2023, a benefit concert (Nashville band, “Highway Natives”) February 24, 2023, and a play in the fall of 2023.
“Reba has been such an inspiration to me,” Nancy commented. “She has given such good advice and information to help us get the theater going again.” “Reba has been a mentor to me,” Mina added. “My years of involvement, with her tutelage, has given me confidence in my every-day life.”
Both Nancy and Mina have found that getting the theater back up and running has been no easy task. Many people have contributed their time and expertise – from helping work at the physical location, to acquiring a bank account, etc. A group is in the process of starting a website and enabling the public to order tickets online. We are now established as a non-profit enabling the public to claim donations made to WCT as tax exempt.
Basically, starting from scratch, the theater will need head-sets, props, costumes, money for royalty costs and advertising. Live theater can be a costly endeavor, but the end result greatly enriches the lives of those who are able to share in the experience.
Wakulla Community Theater has a Facebook page, where people can view photos from old programs and pictures from many shows. Facebook will be one location interested parties can get information on auditions and fundraising activities.
A Wakulla County couple has made a challenge – If the theater can raise $2,500 by the end of December, they will match this amount and donate $2,500 to WCT! For more information, join the Wakulla Community Theater Facebook page. Donations can be made via checks made out to Wakulla Community Theater and mailed to: Wakulla Community Theater, 52 Railroad Ave., Sopchoppy FL 32358.
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
• Angel Sponsor: $125. Two tickets, name in program.
• Bronze Support: $250. Two tickets, car decal, name in program.
• Silver Patron: $500. Two tickets to all plays, two drink tickets, car decal, ad in program.
• Gold Benefactor: $1,000. Four tickets to all plays, four drink tickets, car decal, bumper stucker, ad in program.
• Platinum Champion: $2,000 plus. Six tickets to all plays, six drink tickets, two car decals, two bumper stickers, two T-shirts, ad in program.
Make checks out to Wakulla Community Theater and mail to Wakulla Community Theater, 52 Railroad Ave., Sopchoppy FL 32358.