The best part -- Who knew that Bob the baker from Sheepshead Bay had been such a tremendous tenor, or that Sally from the local salon had all the artistic makings of a master thespian?
To paraphrase the bard, all the world’s a neighborhood; there’s a definite need, and audience, for the type of community theater that’s prevalent in many other parts of Brooklyn.
“If there were theaters available in Marine Park, I would not hesitate in going,” said Marine Park resident and theater fan Marianna Khanis. “Nothing can beat a great, live performance and having a theater nearby would make me want to stay in the area more.”
But Marine Park is not the only neighborhood where live, locally produced theatrical entertainment would be welcomed. The diverse, vibrant neighborhoods of Sheepshead Bay, Brighton Beach, Coney Island and vicinity would surely benefit.
Brooklyn Streetcar Artists Group may bring community theater to oceanfront Brooklyn. Arthur Melnick, director of the Brooklyn City Streetcar Company, Inc., parent organization of the artists’ group, is proposing, and trying to get funding for, an arts center in Coney Island which would include “all the performing arts,” Melnick said. “Community theater would certainly be a welcome addition.”
Starting a community theater is hard work, however. Just ask Ann C. Gubiotti, the director of Narrows Community Theater, Inc. in Bay Ridge.
As part of its mission statement, Narrows holds auditions open to the public and advertises though many venues, such as “Backstage,” “Playbill,” local newspapers and its website (www.nctheaterny.com). Open for nearly four decades, Narrows has largely been without a permanent home; currently it’s renting space from a church.
Community theater, by nature, is volunteer-based, said Gubiotti, herself a volunteer. It requires actors, costume and set designers, ticket sellers, advertisers and a plethora of other cooperative cogs.
“One of the things we’ve always done is hire professional directors and music directors,” said Gubiotti.
Securing a location is the first step, though the ones that follow are many. Ultimately, Gubiotti insists the responsible party must be those that “love it and are willing to work very hard since it is a lot of work to put on a production.”
Undeterred, however, are the highly adaptable and eager performers.
“Convenience and theater do not go hand in hand,” said aspiring actress Nadia Lyakhnovich. “There is no such thing – at least from my experience. Working on a play requires strong dedication and commitment, and even if you eliminate long traveling time that it’ll take you to get to your rehearsal, you still have to accommodate other aspects of your life and sacrifice your daily activities for your love of performing.”
A former student at Kingsborough Community College, Lyakhnovich was in the Female Greek Chorus for the college’s winter production of “How I Learned to Drive,” and had the starring role of Sister Mary Ignatius for a scene from “Sister Mary Explains it All” during the college’s annual 10-minute play festival. While not a true community theatre, KCC allows half of its cast to be composed of non-student body and continues to hold open auditions.
Like many trends in the entertainment industry, all that may be needed to start community theater in the Bay area is a spark.
“As much as I love Marine Park,” said Khanis. “It needs a jolt of excitement in the air – and who knows? A community theater might lead to an expansion of other community theaters.”
