Center For Cultural Events
Dreams become reality for performing-arts enthusiasts
| Written by BY LINDSAY WINSLOW BROWN lindsayb@kpcnews.net |
| Sunday, 31 May 2009 01:20 |
| AUBURN — As DeKalb High School Nick Maloy senior sang
“America the Beautiful,” backed by the school’s Classic Connection
choir, Saturday afternoon, cottonwood blossoms floated through the air,
and the sun illuminated the stage. As the singers’ voices harmoniously emanated from the stage, it seemed this was the moment for which the DeKalb Outdoor Theater board had been waiting, hoping and fighting. The group dedicated the DeKalb Outdoor Theater and the stage welcomed its first performers — including the state champion Classic Connection choir — Saturday afternoon. “Many thought (this day) would never come. Others thought it would come much sooner,” Auburn Mayor Norm Yoder said of the theater during its dedication ceremony. “This is a testament of your passion for performing arts.” More than four years ago, Yoder said a group of dedicated performing-arts enthusiasts — including theater board president John Chalmers of Auburn — introduced the idea of an outdoor theater to him. Although plans for the theater evolved over time, the original intent of the group — to provide a public outlet for the arts — remained unchanged. Their passion for the arts was contagious. After gaining support from the DeKalb County Fair Association and the City of Auburn, the group moved forward with the project and built a large, outdoor theater on an unused flood plain near the DeKalb County Fairgrounds, just east of Cedar Street. Fair association president Les Nelson donned a necktie Saturday and said he “hoped everyone’s as proud of it as we are.” “Things like this make DeKalb County a more appealing place to live,” Chalmers said as the Auburn Community band played a medley of Irving Berlin songs. Saturday’s lineup also featured performers from the Patricia Krus School of Dance and Gospel singing group Heaven Bound. Free concerts will be offered at the theater each Friday at 7:30 through Aug. 14. The Hillsdale Town and Country Chorus will perform at the theater Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Kent Johnson of the theater group said he believes Saturday’s festivities were the start of a great season. Johnson and Chalmers said they welcome people to share their ideas and talents with the group. Someone, they said, already has shown interest in starting a “Shakespeare in the Park” performance series. More information about upcoming performances can be found online at dekalboutdoortheater.org. The theater appreciates donors, and still is seeking more donations, Chalmers said. “These things don’t just happen,” Yoder said of the theater. “It takes people coming together. Now, it’s time to reflect and say, ‘Job well done.’” |
