ARTSNCT combines performing arts, visual arts and community center
“We’re Newcomerstown’s first and only arts center,” said Michael Wise, ARTSNCT founder and executive director.
NEWCOMERSTOWN - Breanna Rehard got involved with the theater by accident. The 13-year-old happened to be sitting around when auditions were being held for Not Your Average Theater Group, a project of ARTSNCT. She started participating in the group and found out she liked it.
“It was a little challenging at first,” she said. “I didn’t think I could learn all those lines, but I learned that it’s not actually as hard as it seems.”
The benefits include having something to enhance a college application, she said, adding that drama may help some people overcome such problems as social phobia.
On Saturday, Breanna shared a table with sister Madison Rehard, 16, and Kobe Lower, 15, who serve as secretary and president of the theater group. They were among those who attended a fundraising luncheon and performance at ARTSNCT, located in a one-time coin laundry and U-Haul store at 304 S. College St.
Madison earned enthusiastic applause for her rendition of the song “She Used to Be Mine” from the musical “Waitress.” On the north wall of the room are the colorful paintings of Canton resident Jake Conrad, 26, a West Lafayette native. His brother, Jarod Conrad, 24, took the stage later to play instrumentals on a guitar Jake had painted years ago. Jake’s girlfriend Morgan Browning, 23, came to support him.
The combination of visual and performing arts expressed the vision for the arts center that Newcomerstown native Michael Wise, 63, had before he moved home from Washington, D.C., in June 2014.
He said his goal is to have a place where people can be creative and imaginative, while feeling relaxed and comfortable.
“We’re Newcomerstown’s first and only arts center,” said Wise, ARTSNCT founder and executive director.
Mayor Pat Cadle was among some 55 people present for the ARTSNCT ribbon-cutting June 5.
“Michael’s worked real hard on it,” he said. “It’s a good thing for the community. It’s another good thing happening in Newcomerstown.”
Wise, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Band trumpet player, said he wants to give today’s youth the same kind of experiences that he had while growing up.
His memories include being released from classes one day a week as a high school senior to run a middle school drama club and direct the high school’s play. He had the run of the campuses -- including keys to the buildings. He had to fill in for an actor who left the cast of “Send Me No Flowers,” the high school play he directed in his senior year.
Wise remembers doing all of that with no obvious supervision from the adults. His graduation surprise was a check from the high school principal in the amount of the stipend a teacher would have received for directing the school play.
“It was fun,” he said. “I had good people pushing me when I was in school.”
Among his influences were high school teachers such as the late Joseph Palmer and Richard Smith, who taught English, speech and debate. Wise remembers Palmer visiting his home to tell his mother he needed him for a production of “Showboat” at the Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County.
While stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Wise drew more inspiration to participate in theater from a teacher at a nearby community college. The actor had appeared on television’s “Route 66” and came from a family of Vaudeville performers. Wise said he wrote and performed in a musical revue that played to 3,000 on the base.
He wants ARTSNCT to provide entertainment for local residents who won’t necessarily go to a Little Theatre performance in New Philadelphia.
The center has so far produced the 2017 Christmas play, ”’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Wise hopes to offer photography classes and more plays. A recent trivia night was so successful that another one will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 8. Movies and pizza are offered from 2 to 5 p.m. Sundays. A Halloween party for teens aged 14 to 18 will be held Oct. 27, trick-or-treat night. The library’s drawing and creative writing classes will be moving to the arts center soon. Soon to come is a night of entertainment billed as a mash-up of television’s “The Gong Show,” “Laugh-In,” “Match Game” and “Family Feud.”
Wise said ARTSNCT will collaborate with other arts and entertainment groups in town. Saturday’s performers included Rylee Johnson and Memphis Lehman, two 9-year-old girls who study dance with Mary Lynn Berkshire at her Studio 3.
Wise said the work of creating the arts center has been aided by generous contributions from many donors.
Building owners George Brode and Skip Smith are allowing ARTSNCT to use the building for free for the first 18 months. The rest of the five-year lease will carry a reduced rent.
Carpenter and electrician Scott Williams transformed the concrete shell into rooms with electrical outlets and lights. Wise painted and did some plumbing. The Thomas Little Foundation donated nearly $4,000 for 110 padded chairs. The Rotary Club of Newcomerstown gave $1,500, which went toward the purchase of shelving. Jeff and Sue Shivers donated $1,000 and a desk for the executive director. Tom and April Cinefro donated a baby grand piano before they moved to Florida. The Tuscarawas Arts Partnership sent a donation without being asked. Baker’s IGA sent a crew to wax the floor, and its employee John Cole donated his services for the job.
Wise said it has been good to see the outpouring of support because it shows that people are eager to see the arts center’s offerings in Newcomerstown.
“More important than that,” he said, “we want people to come in and enjoy it.”
“This will be wonderful,” said Pennye Pierce, who was among those who attended Saturday’s luncheon and performance.
ARTSNCT INC. has a board of directors and state registration as a nonprofit. Tax-exempt status is pending.
For more information about ARTSNCT, contact Wise at 740-575-5710 or michael.wise@artsnct.org. On the web, the organization has a presence on Facebook and at www.artsnct.org.
Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com. On Twitter: @nmolnarTR
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