A Transformation From Love, Old School Theatre Should Be Treasured
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This Is Noteworthy
By Becca Finley
I have been thinking frequently about the history of communities. What makes them tick? Is what worked in the past actually working? If not, are we moving towards solutions that make us more cohesive today? And then, on top of that, is what we are creating today a bandaid, or are we actually moving in a direction that is sustainable/ manageable and has the opportunity to deeply impact our future?
These are the questions that I live with daily. I don’t have the answers. Many ideas. Many good intentions. But goodness, it’s hard to look at intention versus impact. But, I am trying to do better, an,d implement proactive practices regularly, for myself and for others.
Theatre camp is happening over at This Is Noteworthy (tin) this week, and it is creating a space for some kids who really need an outlet. Peripherally, I have worked (or watched) Cinnamon Foster advocate for communities within Water Valley she cares about, but for the first time, we are working directly together. As a lover of the arts and performance, she graciously has provided The Old School Theatre as our training ground. And let me tell you, this space is filled with love, tenderness, dreams, and hope from the past, and for some of our highschoolers, right now as well.
What I didn’t expect from this experience was to witness expansion, compassion, hope, and endless possibility. Walking through the space with Cinnamon, she shared stories such as when she was a child in the elementary school, and that the colored doors let her to where she started her day. I felt the transformation of space to allow for our community members to showcase their talents, and build businesses to support their livelihood in the “Makers Market” which she patterned with love from a past service for the community from her mother, Mari.
When I stepped up the staircase, onto the stage, I could feel the trees speaking to me. I could imagine Eddie’s (and company’s) hands, and hearts bringing this back to life. I could feel how deeply Cinnamon revered his dedication to this space, and his love for theatre. Honestly, and not to be terribly dramatic, I teared up feeling honored to be there, just knowing that people build and save stuff, just to care about others. And they do. And Cinnamon really does.
So, tick tock, tick tock, let’s take some good from the past and allow that to infiltrate the health of our future. The Old School Theatre space should be treasured, and showcased. And we should give some love to the people who foster spaces for others to grow. So, thanks Cinnamon. I see you. And appreciate what you do here. Keep going. I will too. And maybe, just maybe, we will have that theatre revival we dream of.
If anyone is interested in theatre for youth or adults, please reach out to me directly, we would love to have you in our world. simplybbecca@gmail.com or 843-819-7811
