By Lizabeth Jenkins-Dale
Countless volunteer hours have been the backbone of The Soo Theatre Project in its ten years since 2003. These volunteers have helped in all areas of the theatre and STARS program from manning the front desk to painting walls to being house guides on the annual Tour of Homes in December. These people are absolutely essential to The Soo Theatre Project.
Volunteers also assist with productions. It’s quite the difficult task to fully explain what goes on behind the curtain before, during, and after productions, but the numerous volunteers and extensive volunteer hours are certainly part of each and every performance. Perhaps, through the eyes of one particular family’s involvement with The Soo Theatre Project, an attempt to show just what it takes for productions to happen and the great importance of volunteers can be explained.
The Flickinger family includes father Craig, mother Kathy, daughters Kristin and Ashley, and son Kyle. Craig runs a successful orthodontist practice in Sault Ste. Marie. His warm smile, along with a bit of wiring, helps to make perfect smiles all around the town. In 2007, this wonderful family moved to The Soo after recognizing the many positive prospects the Soo would offer them. One of these prospects is The Soo Theatre Project, which was a big part of their decision to move into this community. The Flickingers are a musical family and wanted to have opportunities for their children to continue these pursuits. The Soo Theatre Project provided highly qualified teachers, multiple performance events, and community involvement through volunteerism. What began as a simple volunteering gesture evolved into so much more. Very soon the Flickingers were intimately involved with the historic theatre in many different areas, and their lives have never been the same.
For years now, Kathy offers her sewing skills to assist with costume design, creation, and repair, while other Flickinger family members have spent hours on the other side of the curtain before, during, and after productions dealing with the many behind-the-scenes jobs.
During the 2009 production of Oliver, Kyle shared the role of Artful Dodger while Kathy, Kristin, and Ashley helped with creating 24 pairs of orphan pants. Yes, 24 pairs of pants! Craig and Kristin worked the backstage, which means they helped with placing, organizing, and distributing sets and props on stage while Ashley kept all the young children, about 24 of them aged 5 to 12, as calm as possible. Sometimes, there are long spaces between the times characters need to be on stage. Ashley, AKA “The Kiddie Whisperer,” kept them calm, yet ready. A challenging job indeed!
In 2010, Kristin earned her Girl Scout Gold Award, an award equivalent to the Boy Scout Eagle Award, by inventorying, cataloging, and photographing nearly 500 items in the women’s costume basement. Also, in 2011, Kyle worked toward his Eagle Award at The Soo Theatre Project by cleaning and inventorying several rooms filled with equipment and miscellaneous items in the theatre basement.
For this summer’s production of Fiddler on the Roof, Kathy was in charge of costuming all the characters with period-specific outfits, altering them to fit actors and actresses, and creating costumes, if needed. This volunteer job also included: creating the director’s costume plot vision by measuring all actors and actresses, selecting and coordinating costumes from more than one local theatre costume department (AKA borrowing!), directing other costuming volunteers, sewing, altering, and embellishing existing or custom costumes, laundering and/or having costumes dry cleaned, then returning them to their rightful owners, and this role included repairs during the production run. Whew! This July at a Soo Theatre board meeting, Kathy was stitching a vest while attending the meeting. Time was very precious to her as opening night approached quickly.
Yes, the Flickinger family knows the reciprocal effect of volunteerism at The Soo Theatre Project – as they give, so shall they receive. While they are ushering, working concession stands, helping with clean up after projects, making costumes, working backstage, managing children actors, attending board meetings, and making sure the annual Rotary Show of Shows runs smoothly, they receive that wonderful feeling of supporting a great organization, connection with the community, and knowing they are deeply appreciated. Next time you see a member of the Flickinger family, please say, “Thank you!”
Haunted Theatre! The Soo Theatre Project’s “Haunted Theatre” will be a scary delight for all ages Friday, October 25, during the downtown Halloween event. Stop by for free popcorn! There will be a thrill for young kids and a scarier thrill for the older and more daring participants. (Parents can join their child for the mild “Haunted Theatre” and then re-enter for the scarier adventure without their child for the price of one ticket purchase.) Tickets will be on sale for the scary movie marathon on Saturday, October 26. Oh, by the way, the Flickinger family is primarily responsible for the creation, production, and staffing the “Haunted Theatre,” too! What an incredible family!
A version of this article was originally published in the Soo Evening News on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013.
