Open Call: The Everett Theatre elevates artistic excellence through community support
It’s February. It’s cold and bleak, but brighter days are ahead. As you look to shake off winter, consider community theater.
Nestled in the heart of Middletown, The Everett Theatre stands as a beacon of cultural vibrancy and artistic excellence.
Established with an unwavering belief in the transformative power of performing arts, the Everett has been the center of cultural activity in Middletown for more than 100 years.
Curating a rich tapestry of offerings catering to the varied tastes of our community, The Everett has not only preserved its historical charm but continues to thrive, drawing arts enthusiasts from our region and beyond.
At the heart of The Everett's greatness lies its unwavering commitment to artistic excellence, accessibility and community engagement. We take immense pride in offering a diverse array of high-quality productions throughout the year, captivating audiences of all ages, artistic preferences, and walks of life. The production quality and talent of our shows so often leaves first-time audiences walking out the door wondering what took them so long to visit.
Under the direction of Meredith Peterson, our resident Bard expert, The Everett has become a destination for Shakespeare enthusiasts and novices alike. Meredith's ability to bring the playwright’s words to life and infuse them with humor and unexpected elements charms audiences and cultivates a second home for actors who return time and again to share their passion.
Next month, Meredith will oversee the production of an edgy, modern-day rendition of "Romeo and Juliet'' set in post-COVID Texas 2021. (If that doesn’t pique your interest, I don’t know what will.)
The Everett is not just a theater; it’s a hub of activity for visual arts, youth programs, adult classes, special events and film. Whether you are drawn to our engaging performances or our sold-out Taylor Swift ‘'pizza and paint'’ events, you’ll find something for every interest. At our core, we aim to be a dynamic, flexible environment that listens to our community and adapts to its interests.
Of all our achievements, youth programming is one of our proudest. The Everett’s youth theater productions offer students the opportunities to grow and learn critical life skills like teamwork, creativity and fiscal management. From volunteering as ushers and stage crew to directors and choreographers, the young people we mentor find support throughout the process. And unlike so many youth programs, involvement in our productions is free to anyone who wants to participate.
This April, a cast and crew comprised solely of students will present "Clue," under the direction of local high school student Spencer Wattay, a show you surely won’t want to miss.
Our youth offerings also include a robust summer camp program that sells out each season. This year, dozens of kids ranging in age from 4 to 18 will travel from Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and beyond to act, dance, sing, draw, paint and more.
A core tenant of The Everett is accessibility. We believe the arts are for everyone and work hard to make this mission a reality by subsidizing our summer camps for those who may not otherwise be able to afford them. Additionally, participation in our theater productions is always free. As a fully volunteer-based organization, we rely on the community to serve as actors, crew, choreographers, directors — and donors. It is only through support that we’re able to offer the type of accessibly we do.
Next month, we will be participating in our biggest fundraiser of the year, Do More 24 Delaware. Between 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 7 and 6 p.m. on Friday, March 8, any donation made to The Everett, or any of the participating nonprofits, will go further than gifts made during any other day of the year. Thanks to dozens of sponsors from across the state, Delaware’s nonprofits will earn matching gifts, prizes, and other incentives when donations are made by visiting domore24delaware.org.
Do More 24 Delaware — organized by United Way of Delaware and Spur Impact — plays a crucial role in The Everett’s ability to maintain accessibility and create a vibrant, inclusive community. Thanks to last year's Do More 24 Delaware campaign, we were able to supplement and subsidize summer camp fees, ensuring accessibility for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. The campaign also has empowered us to expand our programming, educational offerings, and community outreach.
As we embark on another season of performances, youth programs, and community engagement, we invite you to be a part of The Everett's legacy.
Drive up, drive down, make the trip — it's worth it. And donate on March 7 to 8!
Dan Sieglen serves on the board of directors of The Everett.
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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: The Everett invites community to support its youth programs and more