The Guild Theatreworks, Inc.
(A
new name but same quality of Performing Arts)
Ada Cole has been
keeping all of you up-to-date about our disappointment over the loss of the Black Box theater that was promised to us after
sixteen years of dedicated “Service to the Community.” My father established that mandate when he founded
the Brick Community Players seventeen years ago. We have always followed his example in terms of dedication, integrity, and
perseverance. However, with the new plans for the redevelopment of the recreational organizations in Brick we found
it necessary to expand our search for available space for both performances and rehearsals.
The loyalty of our membership and our Board
members to Brick has never wavered: we foraged a place for the performing arts where none had existed prior to our establishment
in 1990 and our wish to be a beacon for people of all ages in their thirst for experienced leadership in the arts. Our
mandate continues to be one for all ages; for experienced and fledgling performing artists and musicians; for audiences who
desire the experience of live theatre, and for all people who seek to explore their talents and imagination.
Because it has been necessary for our group to find additional available spaces outside the town limits of Brick we found
it necessary to retire our original name and create one which would allow for exploration throughout Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
Thus, the establishment of The Guild Theatreworks, Inc. The same guiding principles of fairness in casting with no monetary
requirement for becoming a part of our organization, the same diversity of material, the same enthusiasm, the same need for
volunteers of every age and level of experience and talent. We are who we always were but with a new name which permits
us to broaden our horizons.
We have not abandoned our roots; we have not sought new ventures because
we wanted to; we are doing what we need to do to survive because of circumstances in our town. We have only ever looked
for support from our town. As an organization we do not receive direct funds or monies from the town. We are financially
responsible for all of our expenses. However, without the space provided by the town and through the schools we could
not exist.
Our gratitude for the Recreation Department,
under the leadership of both Bob Russo in the past and Andrea Zapcic in the present, for their willingness to find space for
our endeavors has always been unflinching, We repay the town as we can with our talents, time, and dedication by presenting
free entertainment throughout the year at the Cultural Arts Center, where many of our productions have played to full houses.
We will continue to do so.
By what seemed to be "kismet" or fate, one of
our board members was researching venues for her foundation when she met the director, and restorer of the Jersey Shore Arts
Center in Ocean Grove. The Center was looking for a second theatre group to round out its season. We proposed
to do one of our favorite Broadway fares, 1776. I have always loved the music, the message and the spirit of this show.
Our country was founded by men who had a vision, who found it necessary to compromise with one another in order to make the
dream happen, and who were willing to make the personal sacrifices to create something greater than themselves.
This is the kind of determination we have in
the newly-named, but not newly established, Guild Theatreworks. Whether we are performing in Ocean or Monmouth County,
Brick or Ocean Grove, we celebrate life through the unique experiences of live theatre when with each performance the possibility
of magic exists.
Janet Spahr
President
The Guild Theatreworks, Inc
January 29, 2008
