New London Theater offers 
community supporting roles 

   To say David Clack works behind the scenes would reveal only one of his many roles at New London Theater. Clack works around the stage supervising volunteers, under the seats making sure they’re bolted down and hand in hand with his daughter Cassie who brought him into the theater in the first place.

   Years ago Cassie wanted to perform in Annie and talked her dad into auditioning for a part.

   “I fell in love with community theater,” said Clack, “not necessarily for myself but for the total involvement it has given me with my family.”

   “It also pulls different communities together,” Cassie said. “We have actors from Grayson, Snellville, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Decatur and Loganville.”

   NLT has made a real production of the corner unit of the Big Lots shopping center in Snellville. Debbie Hughes, a music teacher, provided patrons a dramatic entry in the lobby with faux painted marble on castoff cabinetry from a wallpaper store that had gone out of business.

   “We make whatever we can out of whatever we can get,” said Clack.

   Imagination can go a long way toward creating a theater, but insufficient funds can cause the final curtain to come down.

   However, imagination can also work wonders with fundraising. Kirk Buis, NLT President, listed many ways financial supporters have gotten into the act, including a generous grant from the Grass Roots Council for the Arts.

   “Local businesses have helped out by placing ads in their programs. Barnes and Noble offered coupons to their customers and gave a percentage of the sales to us. They were very generous,” said Buis.

   Kathi Mardis, NLT publicist, praises merchants in the Big Lots shopping center. “Restaurant owners bring free snacks for the cast and have provided free refreshments for the performances. Some donate paper products and disposable items. They’re all so supportive,” she said.

   “Summit Chase Country Club raised a lot of money for us when we performed Steel Magnolias at their clubhouse,” said Buis. “With enough notice, we could work a show anywhere.” 

   “We realize this was a financial risk, but we believe the community will support us,” said Mardis, whose imagination knows no bounds.

   On May 10th, NLT will sponsor an event that is the first of its kind in America. CharmaineJoan Hemmings will conduct a Speech and Elocution Festival, a century old event which originated in her native Jamaica. This festival for youth participants encourages passion towards ethics in society and world peace. Competition will include original opinion pieces and classics from all cultures.The community can support these young participants by contributing for prizes. 

   And for those who prefer to support NLT by playing a more passive part, there are plenty of those in the seats Clack bolted to the floor. For the new theater’s grand opening, NLT is performing Godspell through the end of February. (For more information on future plays or how you can get play a supporting role, visit newlondon.homstead.com ) 

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