Feature: ALCHEMY THEATRE TROUPE To Be Introduced at OPENING NIGHT: A CABARET at the UNION PUB AND GRILL

The newly minted Alchemy Theatre Troupe will be hosting their first event on May 18th and 19th, 2018 at the Union Pub and Grill, located in downtown Huntington, WV. The event, entitled Opening Night: A Cabaret to Introduce Alchemy Theatre Troupe, will feature an evening full of songbook and musical theatre standards, light appetizers and desserts, a cash bar, and information on how to become a part of the troupe. Those wishing to attend must hurry! Only 75 seats are available each night.

I spoke with Len Trent, board member for Alchemy Theatre Troupe, about what led to the creation of the group, their mission, and what audiences should expect from the troupe in the future.

Explaining why Alchemy Theatre Troupe was created, Trent said, "There are basically two reasons - one is purely selfish. A number of us found ourselves without a theater home. We had done theater together for around five years and through a series of events woke up one day to find it was all gone."

This loss of their normal theatrical routine led the group of friends to investigate what it would take to create their own company, but that wasn't their only reason for creating the new troupe. "The second (reason) kind of sounds a little cliché, but we felt there was an artistic hole left in the community. A hole that used to be filled by five or six shows a year. So, what else could we do but start our own company?"

After deciding to open the members then shifted their focus to creating a name that would encompass what they were setting out to accomplish in the theatrical community. From these discussions the name Alchemy Theatre Troupe was born.

I asked Trent the meaning behind the name and its origins and he explained to me that, "the idea of creating, I guess. Here we are, a bunch of people that love theater and want to create something that our Tri-State area will want to be involved with, but we barely know where to start."

Lack of knowledge on how to open a company didn't stop this troupe though, as it only made them more determined to accomplish their goal. "We are learning as we go and this year we will actually be able to take our first steps toward giving something exciting to those in WV, OH, and KY that they have - hopefully - been missing."

While Alchemy Theatre Troupe might be new to the theatre scene in WV; the members involved are not. "We have all done shows around the area for different entities," said Trent. "There are those of us who have done this for twenty plus years or have done it professionally. Then there are others that have just discovered their passion for it in the past four or five years."

Members are well known to the area and have many theatrical accomplishments - in fact, far too many to list in this article. "Everyone is a key member here and I would need a week to list all of their accomplishments," Trent said, before adding, "That response may sound like it deserves an eye roll, but it is an absolute truth. These people are relentless."

"You hear this a lot, but we want to involve the community," said Trent when asked what Alchemy Theatre Troupe hopes to accomplish. "We would love to get more people hooked on seeing and creating quality theater. Right now, we are a bit of a core group, but we have already started reaching out to everyone we can to let them know we are here and we would love to have you here with us."

Working with the other theatres in the area, instead of competing with them, has been a goal from the start said Trent, "We are trying to form relationships with some other theatre companies in the Tri-State and create a large and inclusive theater community. Every company's tastes and missions are not the same and we want that to do something that brings us together by being a compliment to one another."

Trent explains how Alchemy Theatre Troupe has already begun working with other groups, "For instance, our upcoming production will be A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare and the Director, John Campbell, is working with First Stage Theatre Company. He has cast several roles with kids from First Stage. First Stage's mission is to provide opportunities to children in the performing arts and to educate," said Trent, but added, "that is my paraphrasing of course. Please check out First Stage on Facebook."

Working with others to increase the output of live theatre in the tri-state area has been a common goal among the theatrical community in WV. Alchemy Theatre Troupe hopes to continue that trend by working closely with others to provide more frequent opportunities for those wishing to get involved in live theater.

As for Alchemy Theatre Troupe's inaugural event, Opening Night: A Cabaret, audiences can expect a night full of great music and information on the new organization. "There really is no theme for this," said Trent, "it's kind of our chance to introduce ourselves as our own group and just sing some tunes for anyone that wants to hear." More information on the troupe will be forthcoming as details are worked out. "We will be announcing who we are and what we hope to accomplish in the near future."

For those who wish to get involved or are wanting more information you can send an email to alchemytheatrewv@gmail.com or visit their Facebook site. "We would love to hear from anyone wanting to connect with us," said Trent. "It doesn't matter if it's wanting to get involved, or just interested in what we are doing next."

Audiences can expect multiple events to be announced soon after the Opening Night: A Cabaret performance. Currently the troupe has planned a one day only production of A Midsummer Night's Dream on June 30th, 2018 at Barboursville Park Amphitheater in Barboursville, WV as part of the inaugural WV Shakespeare Festival. The show will begin at 3:00 PM and will be hosted outdoors.

Trent finished our talk by expressing the troupe's passion for the community. "We are here to bring a new outlet to this community. Whether it be in the audience or on the stage. Alchemy is here for those who want to create something worthwhile artistically. No matter if it's a cabaret, a musical, Shakespeare, a modern or classic comedy, or a drama. We hope to put on quality productions that keep people wanting more."

Tickets for this event are on sale now for $25.00 and can be purchased by emailing alchemytheatrewv@gmail.com or by messaging the Alchemy Theatre Troupe through their Facebook page. Doors will open at 7:30 PM with the show beginning at 8:00 PM. A cash bar will be available. The show will be directed by Bruce Rous.

For more information on Alchemy Theatre Troupe you can visit their Facebook page, which is currently the best source for information as their official website is still under construction.

Richard Allen is a contributing editor for Broadway World covering theatre throughout WV and the tri-state area. He also writes freelance for various other publications. You can check out his page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/richardallenwrites and you can contact him via e-mail at richardallenwrites@gmail.com.

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