Nearly 30 years ago, Sylvania-resident, Stephanie Dennehy, began her career in theater as a dancer. She has since worked as an actor, model, choreographer, director and producer. In January 2015, she began her newest venture— directing her own company, Cutting Edge Theatre.
“My love of theater knows no bounds,” said Dennehy, laughing. “I’ve worn so many different hats that… I think I’ve become more able to see things differently. [In terms of my values] professionalism is number one, and consistency, committedness, and, of course, being cutting edge. That’s what I want to bring [to the Toledo area].”
Speaking from experience
Dennehy grew up in Michigan and went to Western Michigan University on a dance scholarship, and has since worked and performed with professional regional theater companies, like Purple Rose Theatre, Ann Arbor’s Performance Network and the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, among others.
“For years, I was a theater gypsy and just went wherever the show was. 13 years ago, I met my husband while we were working at The Croswell Opera House and we moved to Toledo,” said Dennehy. “When I got here I could direct and choreograph community theater and college, but I couldn’t do any professional acting.”
In Toledo, Dennehy spent her time working with local companies, including The Toledo Repertoire Theater, 3B Productions, and later became an educator for Ohio’s Northwestern Thespian Conference in 2006. Despite maintaining a busy schedule, Dennehy still missed the higher level of professionalism that helped develop her skill set. She founded her own company in 2014.
Don’t be bitter, be better
“It’s always been in my mind to have a professional group that I could call my own, but I didn’t have the impetus to do it until 2014, when I had two pretty disheartening experiences in the theater world as an actor,” said Dennehy. “I was frustrated and found myself complaining a lot, and angry. So, around Christmas last year, I thought, ‘If I wait another 10 years, will I still want to do it? Or will I spend those years complaining and being frustrated?’ So I approached some other people and, so far, the response has been validating.”
Cutting edge ideas
With only a year on the ground, Cutting Edge Theater Company has offered adult and teen acting classes, as well as private lessons, and has enjoyed two successful showcases and performances at the newly-formed Red Bird Art District Art Walks. Dennehy has also been approached by playwrights who want her to produce and workshop their original works with the company.
Dennehy is also interested in bringing American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation into the company’s work.
“20 years ago, I saw Children of Eden at Stagecrafters [in Baldwin, MI] and they had interpreters in costume that were each assigned to an actor. That experience has stayed with me for 20 years,” said Dennehy. “So, we’re going to do a meet and greet to see what the response is.”
Cutting Edge Theatre is also currently eyeing a Sylvania location to create a permanent home. Dennehy is interested in a more contemporary stage set up, like a black box theater, where the audience would surround the stage.
“Eventually, I’d like to do one musical, one play, and one new work a year,” said Dennehy. “With Cutting Edge, we want to produce professional level theater productions with local talent.”
Join the Cutting Edge Theatre Company for their Inaugural Gala, which will feature music, performances as guests enjoy catered hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and drinks.
6pm, Friday, December 4
$60/at the door, $90/for couples
Olander Park’s Nederhouser Community Hall, 6930 W. Sylvania Ave.
For those interested in ASL classes and performances, a meet and greet for the deaf, hard of hearing, and integrated interpreters from 6-7:30pm, on Tuesday, December 15 in the Community Room at Interlink, 1002 Garden Lake Pkwy., Toledo
RSVP via [email protected], 419-494-4814, [email protected], cuttingedgetheatre.org