“It’s beautiful! It’s like a statue!” The Christmas Story will be running at the Ti-Ahwaga Theatre, located on Delphine Street in Owego, N.Y. Dec. 5, 6 and 7, and Dec. 12, 13 and 14. (Photos by R.E. Baker Photography)
You’ll shoot your eye out! The Christmas Story will be running at the Ti-Ahwaga Theatre, located on Delphine Street in Owego, N.Y. Dec. 5, 6 and 7, and Dec. 12, 13 and 14.
Can a favorite local tradition be old and new at the same time? The answer is a strong Yes! In the busiest of seasons, the Ti-Ahwaga Community Players are blending successful traditions with new technology and design to stay relevant in our ever-changing world. Patrons of the theatre will be surprised to see that the set used for the past twelve productions of “The Christmas Story” has been redesigned for their traditional Christmas season run of the show.
“Don’t shoot your eye out” before you get tickets for the show running Dec. 5, 6 and 7, and Dec. 12, 13 and 14.
Shawn Yetter, director of this year’s “A Christmas Story”, values how important this production is as a local tradition. A grant from the Mildred Faulkner Truman Foundation has allowed the theatre group to redesign the set, refurbish costumes, update props, and present to the community a new and improved version of the show. Keeping with all story lines, and casting veteran as well as new actors to roles such as The Old Man and Ralphie, Yetter is excited and working feverishly getting everything ready for an opening weekend rebirth.
Todd Smith, Ti-Ahwaga’s set designer for “A Christmas Story”, has hammered new life into their 13th season of this local tradition. This transformation has happened over the past month during weekend work parties.
The theatre relies on membership, actors, family and community volunteers to complete all work involved in putting a show on. The Old Man’s house has a new design and is furnished with very authentic period pieces such as a 30’s GE refrigerator with a beehive on top!
After a Craigslist search by the stage manager, the refrigerator was finally found in Hobart, N.Y. When stage crewmembers arrived at the Jensen family farm, the family surprised the group by donating the beautiful relic to the remodeling project. They plan on attending the show and seeing their restored extra egg refrigerator put to theatrical use.
When it comes to keeping some old and adding some new, Jane Nichols, current board member, feels that the theatre’s long history in Owego cannot be ignored. Nichols’ in-laws, Phil and Pat Nichols, were founding members back in the early 1950’s. She and her husband, Keith Nichols, have been life-long members and are now joined by this writer in their efforts to bring quality theatre to our village.
The group has gone from storing flats in local barns, carrying in and out all costumes and props needed for each production when the school auditorium was needed for a school function, to being in full control of their own community theatre on Delphine Street.
In the board’s desire to keep the group relevant, current and fresh, Nichols set-up the on-line ticketing this season with Thundertix, a user-friendly and secure site used by other local theatres, to offer more than one way to purchase tickets for upcoming shows and events held at the theatre. With professional assistance from graphic artist Elizabeth Nichols, another family member with theatre in her blood (Enicholsdesign.com), the group has updated social media sites to keep locals in touch with season shows and annual events. The board feels they need to provide patrons with a branded look and consistent image.
It takes many hands to run the operation, but the community the group hopes to reach will better understand a clear and concise message.
The theatre will host their first quarterly Ti-Ahwaga Open House on Jan. 24 from noon to 2 p.m. The board hopes that many new folks will come to see what the group does each production period. Participants will learn about building, painting, props, costumes, food, and wine and beer services that are all a part of putting on a good show. The group would love to see new faces, individuals or families that want to volunteer time with members to ensure the playgroup will continue to grow and represent the community as a whole.
Jill Teeter, newly appointed executive director, invites all to call for tickets and/or event information. The theatre is also a perfect rental space for your next reception, business meeting or gathering. The office is open most afternoons from noon to 4 p.m. Call her at (607) 687-2130 or email to info@tiahwaga.com.
If you haven’t tried the Thundertix site yet, log on to theatre’s homepage, www.tiahwaga.com, and give it a shot. Please support this local theatre with volunteering, joining as a member, or continue as a patron. There is something there for everyone.
The theatre’s website is updated as the season progresses with excellent photographs by Russ Baker. Tickets are now available for all season shows and events.
Upcoming events include The Annual Lollapalooza Auction, Wine and Beer Event on Saturday, Feb. 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.; “The Gin Game” runs Friday, March 13 to Sunday, March 29; and “Roar of the Greasepaint- The Smell of the Crowd” runs Friday, May 29 to Sunday, June 14.
