Kroc Expands its Reach

Article by Barbara Curtin for the StatesmanJournal.com

Since November, when the Salem Kroc Theater opened "Cheaper by the Dozen," the fledgling troupe has grown faster than anyone imagined.

The initial season of three plays has expanded to nine. Director David K. Berriér is reaching out to schools and to deaf theater-goers. The cast of the next play, "Sarah, Plain and Tall," will take the show on the road — to Mill City.

Tom Ferrin, the Kroc Center's associate director for development, said Salvation Army leaders are pleased with these plans: "With Dave's energy and the success of the first play, we saw the potential of what (Salem Kroc Theater) could do."

"Sarah, Plain and Tall," which opens Feb. 4, is in its final rehearsals for a two-weekend run. It's based on the Newbery-Award-winning book about a Kansas farmer who advertises for a wife and the Maine spinster who replies.

Here are some of the changes in store:

-One performance will feature sign-language interpretation for the hearing-impaired. Berriér added that touch after working on another project with students from Oregon School for the Deaf.

-The show will go to Mill City for a performance in the 375-seat Santiam Auditorium. Karen Widmer, a member of the Hearts to Arts support group, said Canyon residents are excited.

"It will mean an opportunity to be exposed to a level of theater that we didn't already have," she said. "People up here are starving for culture and art. Anything new, we usually get a huge turnout."

-Berriér has been working with Salem Public Library, civic groups, and public and private schools to encourage literacy. The season's plays are based on award-winning children's books, he said, so why not assign the stories for reading, then encourage students to attend the plays? He's giving out dozens of books to nudge the idea along.

-He also visited 26 retirement communities to personally invite residents to attend the Kroc Theater. A group will view the "Sarah" dress rehearsal for free. In future, Berriér hopes to offer a discounted night for retirement centers.

"Sarah" has drawn a mix of children and adults, both experienced actors and folks new to the stage. Emma Brickell, for instance, said she had done backstage work at McKay High School but had not been onstage before landing her part as the farmer's teenage daughter.

Memorizing all her lines was tough, she said. "I just try to feel the emotion she would be feeling and make it real."

Such experiences are in line with the mission of the Salvation Army and the heiress who endowed the Salem [Kroc] center, said Ferrin:

"Giving adults and kids a chance to act and providing the community a venue for live theater that hopefully never will be too expensive, that was Mrs. Kroc's vision," he said.

End of Article

So, this is what the Kroc Center in Salem, Oregon is doing. Imagine what the Kroc Center in Hampton Roads will do. Our 300+ seat chapel/theater is definitely going to attract some of the region's premier directors, producers and actors who will help in making the Kroc Center a fun, entertaining and educational place to be.