Independence Community Theater celebrates 20 years
by Laura Straub
The Independence Community Theater may call an intimate venue home, but that doesn’t stop its passionate board of directors from putting on some big productions. For the past 20 years, the local community has packed the 80-seat theater nestled upstairs in Old Town Hall on Public Square for three shows a year, with crowd favorites being big name Broadway shows, along with the “Nunsense” series.
The 2019-2020 season promises even more entertainment with “Hello Dolly” in November, “You Can’t Take It With You” in March, “Sylvia” in May and “Annie” kicking off the next season in November 2020.
Jen Sindyla, founding member of the Independence Community Theater Board of Directors and current board secretary, said that audiences who come for the theater’s rendition of the blockbuster hit “Hello Dolly” are in for a treat.
“This November, we are mounting a production of ‘Hello Dolly’ that is going to be nothing but amazing; on our small stage, such a big production,” she said. “It’s kind of all eyes on Independence, how are they going to pull this off?”
She has utmost faith in Board President and Technical Director Richard Todd. Sindyla promises the set will impress and the audience will be immersed in the humor, romance, high-energy dancing and music that the production is known for.
The theater is also preparing for another big production in November 2020 with “Annie.” According to Sindyla, they’ve already added extra performance dates to accommodate the expected crowds during its run.
Between the two musicals, she encourages audiences to take in some less familiar productions.
“You Can’t Take It With You” follows the delightful Sycamore family and the equally unhappy Kirbys, as their families clash, propelled by young love.
The theater’s spring production, “Sylvia,” tells the story of Greg and Kate, a couple that has moved to Manhattan after 22 years of raising children in the suburbs. As Greg’s career is winding down, Kate is finding new opportunities in hers. When Greg brings home a dog he found in the park – or that has found him – bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her nametag, the pooch becomes a major bone of contention in their marriage.
As always, the plays were proposed by hopeful directors.
“We advertise for directors for the upcoming season, and anyone who is interested in directing can propose shows,” Sindyla said. “Usually, what happens is people come in with three choices of shows that they want to direct. They propose their dream shows, and the board of directors considers their proposal and decides from there.”
The board generally looks for one musical and two plays for the season, which runs from fall to summer, she said. From there, the biggest consideration is how entertaining the production will be to the typical Independence Community Theater audience.
Youth Summer Theater Camp
Following the spring production, the theater switches gears for its annual Youth Summer Theater Camp. The program, which began in 2017, continues to grow rapidly. Participants meet for two hours a day, Monday through Thursday, for three weeks. After just 24 hours of rehearsal, they put on a full production, complete with a full set.
The inaugural year kicked off with 24 children performing “Suessical.” The next year, 54 kids came out to perform “Aladdin,” and in 2019, 66 kids honed their acting chops in “Willy Wonka.”
The burgeoning kids’ program falls right in line with the Independence Community Theater mission statement, “To entertain, enrich and educate our community through high quality theatrical arts in an intimate setting and create opportunities for anyone interested to engage in the performing arts.”
That mission statement has guided the group since its inception in 1999. Before the Independence Community Theater, many members of the board of directors performed as the Independence Players. The organization as it stands, with its bylaws and decision-making committees, ushered in a new, more structured era of theater.
The community’s theater
Currently, the Independence Community Theater is guided by Todd; Vice President Marge Berke; Treasurer Bob Komornik; Sindyla; and members Rosann Cowell, Bonnie Komornik, Barb Sindyla, Sally Suren, Tom Ferraro, Cheri Todd, Amanda Jaronowski and Sue Gidion.
They work together to ensure that theater is truly for the community. All aspects of production are open to anyone, whether they are interested in auditioning, working backstage, choreographing or even helping as an usher.
“This is truly community theater,” Sindyla said. “It is theater for everyone.”
According to Sindyla, the group’s biggest goal for the future is getting more community members involved.
“The biggest comment we hear when we’re out at an event is, ‘Oh, I didn’t even know there was a theater in there!’” she said.
They continue to get the word out by posting sneak peeks and previews of upcoming shows to the theater’s Facebook page, @IndependenceTheater, attending events like Home Days and welcoming people upstairs when they wander in from Thursday night summer concerts.
“Our goal is getting more people coming up here, because they will thoroughly enjoy what they see,” said Sindyla. “It takes you away from real life for an enjoyable evening.”
Tickets to Independence Community Theater productions are always $12, all season and for any seat. They can be reserved at 216-447-0443. Information about show dates and times is available on the Independence Community Theater Facebook page and independencetheatre.org.
Featured image photo caption: Independence Community Theater has been showcasing community talent for 20 years. Photo courtesy Independence Community Theater