Behind the Scenes with the Market Street Theater

It’s a welcome site to see actors practicing their craft at the Canton Town Hall once again. It’s been nearly three years since the ACTS Factory Players took their final bows and dispersed to other theaters or just back to their lives. But now, a company of former Players has regrouped as the Market Street Theater and is eager to begin presenting live performances. Their opening production will be Sarah Ruhl’s Pulitzer Prize nominated, darkly romantic comedy, "The Clean House."

Just before rehearsal, About Town interviewed MST’s Artistic Director, Stage Manager and the entire cast of The Clean House – at the same time. We discussed the past, present and future of theater in Canton. There was a synergy to their responses about goals, commitment to the work, and passion for making community theater accessible to others. They even shared a few secrets. Our discussion was fun, energetic, with great timing and depth. Bodes well for their future audience members.

The Market Street Theater’s Artistic Director, and Avon resident, Nine Dechamps will be directing the following cast members in The Clean House: Terri D’Arcangelo, (Cromwell); Joan Duquette-Aresco, (Wallingford); Kristin Flyntz, (West Granby); Angie Joachim, (Canton); and Tony Palmieri, (Middletown). Liz Ellsworth (New Britain) will be stage manager for the performance.

AT: What’s the No. 1 priority for the Market Street Theater?

MST: Exceptional story telling. We don’t necessarily want to do what’s been done. We want to do great, character driven plays; plays that are quirky, with a little edge and are thought provoking. We want to do shows that display the professionalism of the actors; how they work through a play and peel away the layers to get to the core of what the piece stands for and how it translates on stage.

AT: How will you, as a theater company, define success?

MST: The legacy of the ACTS Factory Players is one of quality performances and plays presented in this space. That’s one of the chief reasons why we had actors from all over Connecticut auditing for this play. 

So, we want to tell a story well. We want people to talk about the show after the performance; to feel like they want to go get a coffee and talk about what they just saw.

AT: What traits do you most value in actors?

MST: They must have a commitment to take this work seriously. We are all volunteers; we do this because we love it. It’s time consuming. It may even cramp your schedule or style on weekends and evenings during production. But, it’s also a lot of fun.

AT: What about traits for members of this theater company?

MST:  You have to be willing to leave your ego at the door. It’s not about being the star or having an attitude. You have to enjoy collaborating. We share common goals. It’s all in preparation to do the best work.

When you participate in a show, you create a little family. Then after the show is over, actors disperse despite assurances that they’ll stay in touch. With this group, we wouldn’t think twice about wanting to act and play with each other again. Everyone has a voice. We can challenge each other with honesty, because we know each other so well. So, why wouldn’t you want to ask for ideas and feedback? We have this connection and trust that doesn’t normally happen in other theater companies.

Being an actor is a very vulnerable thing. It’s not that easy. Here, you’re made to feel nurtured so that you can take risks. [Artistic Director] Nine believes and encourages this; she wants you to feel the hold and feel safe.

AT: What don’t people understand about Community Theater?

MST: The image of Community Theater has gotten a bad reputation. There’s the Community Theater versus professional theater attitude. But, the fact that you’re not paid doesn’t mean you’re not driven, at a cellular level, to do great work.

Some of the stigma comes from the theater itself. When Community Theater is more of a social thing, a hobby, when there’s no commitment from the group, that hurts the end product.

AT: OK, About Town knows never to mention the "Scottish play" in a theater to avoid bad luck. What other rituals or superstitions do you all have before a show?  

Joan goes into a quiet spot, alone. Angie and others keep their scripts with them throughout the production. Tony checks the stage and props, over and over again. And Terri is very systematic. She will sit in the same make-up chair for the run of the show.

Then there’s the theater mascot Rosie, a Rosie the Riveter bobble head doll that has been with the theater since we did “Proof,” years ago. You’ll always find her, somewhere on stage, during a production.

AT: What about burn out? Isn’t that one of the reasons why there’s a wonderful history of Community Theater in this town, but eventually the stage goes dark?

MST: We’re only producing a spring, then a fall show. This obviously puts a limitation on funding. But, it will also help to prevent burn out. Keeping it simple will allow us to make room for people to try new things. That’s one of the best things about community theater; education and making room for all people.

The theater company can’t get too small; there’s so much to do. The numbers had gotten so slim in the ACTS Factory Players that we knew it was time to regroup.

So, we spent the past few years at other theaters, including the much larger Hole in the Wall Theater, seeing how they do things.  It was an opportunity to network; learn new things about production, staging, planning, management; play other roles. We always knew that we’d get back together. This was always home base.

So, when the Canton Town Hall stage was renovated, through an Eagle Scout project led by Trevor Pierce, it was a lucky break. This was the catalyst to come back together. It gave us a good wind under our wings. A gale force wind under our wings! And, the Town Hall has been an incredibly gracious host to us.

AT: So, what’s the plan for the season?

MST: Besides the two Market Street Theater-produced plays, Trevor Pierce is going to be running a youth theater program, through Canton Parks and Recreation, starting in July. Throughout the rest of the year, we want to keep our options open. Maybe, we’ll have readings by authors with audience talk-backs. Maybe, we’ll add some musical acts.  

It’s important to us that we foster accessibility for other individuals who are interested enough to participate, while still maintaining the artistic integrity, professionalism and commitment to this theater.

Here’s the Deal

Market Street Theater, Canton Town Hall, 4 Market St., Collinsville: www.marketstreettheater.org

The Clean House, by Sarah Ruhl. Performances on: May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, at 8 p.m. May 8, 2 p.m. Mother’s Day matinee and fundraiser to benefit the Oddfellows Playhouse in Middletown, which lost its room of stored props and costumes in a building collapse due to snow buildup this past winter.