The Clarkston Village Players are back in full swing for the 2003-04 season.
And to CVP board president Al Bartlett, nothing compares to the theater.
“It’s a real kick. We’re live. People love live theater. You get to see live action. The people are right in front of you,” he says enthusiastically.
The nonprofit organization opened their season to the public Thursday, Sept. 4 with a performance of “Grace and Glorie,” which finishes its run Sept. 14.
This, their 44th season, includes eight plays, comedy nights, concerts, youth theater and more.
“Which is quite an undertaking,” Bartlett said, for the 40-member group.
Bartlett himself has been a member, “since God was a child,” he jokes.
Actually it was in 1979 that Bartlett was in his first CVP play.
Though he is a Rochester Hills resident, and Rochester has it Avon Players, Bartlett says, “I feel like this is my second home. I love this theater. In this community I’ve met a whole slew of wonderful people. Some that have become dear friends. I’ve enjoyed their company.”
Back in 1979, Bartlett — who taught English and speech at Clarkston High School for 31 years, and did live here for a number of years while teaching — was approached by one of those dear friends to audition for the Players.
Though Bartlett did have a background of drama experience from his college days, he declined the offer. But when a second play came around, a Neil Simon comedy, he decided to audition.
“And I’ve been addicted ever since.”
He’s played a variety of roles from Harry Root, a psychopath in “Wait Until Dark,” and Boyd Bendix, a despicable journalist in “Case of Libel, to tons of comedies.
What’s been neat for him to see is the transformation as an actor from portraying young leads to father and grandfather roles.
“It’s been fun,” Bartlett said, who can’t put a number to the numerous shows he’s been a part of.
Of acting, he loves, “The people; the response. It’s a real high. Whether (the audience) is laughing, or like in ‘Case of Libel’ when Bendix goes absolutely bananas at the end, I’ve never gotten tired of it.”
Bartlett’s also been behind the scenes. He’s directed, and will be directing this season’s “Social Security,” and has done producing, lights and sound, among other duties.
He and his wife Gerry are both life members of the Clarkston Village Players. To be a life member one has to have so many years behind them and have served in a number of capacities. There are currently 13 life members. “It’s kind of an honor,” he admits.
As for his current role, he is newly elected, but was president for five years, nine years ago when he was “tall, thin and had hair” the 59-year-old laughed.
He says the role of president is challenging.
“When doing something like a play it’s a real team effort. Theater people are interesting people. They’re outgoing, quite gregarious, quite intelligent in a variety of different ways. And there’s egos, which you can’t get away from in theater,” Bartlett said, making it difficult as a leader to take everyone’s varying opinions and come to a consensus.
“But we wouldn’t have the support and the membership and have been here for 44 years if people didn’t think we were doing something right.”
One of the main goals Bartlett would like to see come to fruition as president is finding a new home for the CVP.
The Players currently perform at the Depot Theater at 4861 White Lake. The building was previously known as the Grand Trunk Depot railroad station. After the station closed, the building sat idle for many years before the CVP acquired it in 1962.
Since presenting their first play in 1964, the theater has seen ongoing improvements including the addition of a lobby, a revamping of the 84-person theater for tiered seating, a ticket room, new sound equipment, and much more.
“We’ll never agree to give up the aura, the charm of this theater, but we could do so much with a new theater. We’re limited here. One of my goals this year is to find land. I know it won’t be cheap, but I just have a vision. I think this community is ready for it.”
Bartlett would also like to see a state-of-the-art, 150-seat theater. “From our ticket sales, (the Players sell out many of their performances), we could use it.”
Unlike many organizations and businesses as of late, the Players have not been affected by the slumping economy, Bartlett said.
“People now really need to be entertained. With 9-11, the down turn of the economy, and job losses, I think there is a real need for entertainment — just to get away for a couple of hours.”
One problem the CVP has seen, though, is a decline in membership interest, which Bartlett blames on the current generation.
“It’s a me-first generation and that has hurt groups like ours. People are not willing to commit like they used to 30 years ago. People are much more into themselves. I’m not saying that as an insult, it’s just that way it is.”
Membership is $30 a year and members are encouraged to be active.
“ If you are a warm body and breathing, that’s the only criteria. We’re always looking for new members, especially those without grey hair. We’re getting a little long in the tooth.”
Bartlett hopes readers who haven’t seen the Clarkston Village Players and visited Depot Theater, will “feel free to come down and see our shows. If they’re out there, we’d like to see them and meet them.”
“As always this year we hope to entertain you by making you laugh, cry or think about the subject being presented.”