To the Editor:
Recently yet another coffin nail was pounded firmly, and with feigned politeness, into our beloved Lincoln County Community Theater. This is said with emphasis on the word “Community.”
The current management gave away the contents of the Community Theater’s costume closet; contents that represented decades of donation, dedication, creativity, and just plain hard work. This was done without consultation with the person who dedicated years of service to LCCT, and with no consultation with the present lead costume person.
All their work and the work of many others have been tossed out of town. Costumes that evoke memories, and tell loving stories for so many are gone.
The current management will tell any inquirer that LCCT got a great deal. The costumes have gone to the Maine State Music Theater’s vast collection 40 miles away and “we can always borrow them back for several years.” We learn from others that the vague “several years” means five years. We learn from others that minor alterations are possible but the costumes must always be returned in the original condition. Anyone who has worked in costumes knows that is no magic solution.
For one show I worked on, I had access to the vast collection of the Little Theater in Auburn and managed to take care of about half of what I needed as LCCT’s costumes were useful for the other half. There were endless trips to Auburn, and limited ability to alter and fit cast members. It was not easy and not something I would readily recommend for dressing an entire cast.
No longer can a child who is excited about the Pirate Rendezvous call and be outfitted to his swashbuckling delight by nightfall (as one child did call recently), nor can a creative teacher borrow period costumes to incorporate into a class being taught.
Board members of LCCT appear to sincerely believe that these changes are for the best. “We are moving forward, programming is getting compliments, etc, etc.” Yes, there is more programming. If you go to the LCCT web site and click on plays, there is the National Theater of London, and SpectiCast on the silver screen. There is nothing about LCCT productions. There is no summer musical. There was no summer musical last year.
So who is responsible for the demise of the true Community Theater that embraced all? Is it current management? Is it the new carefully selected board? Is it board members who are passionate about opera? Is it newcomers who are nice people but lack knowledge and insight into the broad spectrum of our community? Is it the burned out leaders of the past? Is it the disenfranchised leaders of the past? Perhaps is it all of the above?
This challenge question must also go to the next generation. The young adults, who love the stage of the real Lincoln County Community Theater, need to step up as managers and leaders. The historic Lincoln Theater did not become a landmark Community Theater for all without hard work behind the scenes. Leadership by the next generation is vital.
One thing the current management and board cannot toss out like the costumes – the chorus of indelible memories of 35 years of true community theater that delighted countless audiences of friends, families and neighbors.
Lucille Craib, Walpole
