If you’re going to open a theater company committed to involving newcomers as well as longtime actors, maybe you should start with a play about acceptance. That’s what Craig Sneider decided when he began Ten Mile Creek Theatre Company in Sylvania.
Following lifelong involvement in theater, Sneider wanted to create a place that was an outlet for people who do not have a home theatre base and for people who might not have ever done a show before. “We want to be that place with a welcoming attitude and outlook,” he says.
Ten Mile Creek is off to a great start in fulfilling its mission, as some first-timers to the stage will be featured in Harvey, Ten Mile Creek’s debut show, which opens Friday, October 21.
A lesson in acceptance
The comedy Harvey revolves around a man named Elwood who has an imaginary friend. Although that may seem strange, his quirks are enhanced when his invisible friend is revealed: a six-foot-tall rabbit named Harvey. The ever-friendly Elwood introduces everyone he meets to Harvey, greatly embarrassing his sister, Veta, who tries to commit him to a sanitarium. As in any good comedy, chaos ensues and eventually Veta must decide whether to change Elwood into a “normal” person or accept him for who he is.
Harvey is a funny play with an important lesson of acceptance intertwined. “We all have our different quirks,” stated Sneider.
The lesson of acceptance is not only a theme for Harvey, but for Ten Mile Creek’s overall mission as well. “We accept everyone who wants to, to come out and audition. No matter who you are, we just want people who love theatre,” Sneider announced.
Looking towards the future
Ten Mile Creek has a full season scheduled with four shows. Following Harvey will be A Charlie Brown Christmas, a word-for-word stage version of the classic Peanuts movie. Ten Mile Creek’s advisory council hopes to offer this performance annually as a holiday tradition for the Toledo area, similar to Toledo Rep’s A Christmas Carol and The Toledo Ballet’s The Nutcracker.
A performance of Neil Simon’s Rumors and a spring performance of the traveling show of Godspell will round out the inaugural season. Although the details for Godspell are still being refined, Sneider is considering staging six performances throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
“As we grow we might try more ‘off the beaten path’ shows– newer plays or even shows by local playwrights.”
With more ground to cover, Ten Mile Creek is off to a good beginning.
7pm Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22;
2pm Sunday, October 23.
$10/general admission, $8/students and seniors.
Performances held at the Sylvania Northview Performing Arts Center, 5403 Silica Dr., Sylvania.
419-262-1753. facebook.com/tenmilecreektheatrecompany
