The auditorium at Birdville High School in North Richland Hills was buzzing with activity as young actors rehearsed “Anastasia” for its final performance at the Artisan Center Theatre.
“Everyone, stay in your place,” director and choreographer Cameron Byerly said, clapping. “When you hear the music, go!”
Byerly called the show an “intensive” one because they had a three-week period to build the set, prep the stage, set the lights and get the actors familiar with their lines, choreography and music.
“It’s unbelievable,” Byerly said. “I don’t know how this show got to where it is, but it did, and here we are!”
This is the end for Artisan Center Theatre. After 21 years in business, the theatre is closing its doors. Financial and personal difficulties caused the theatre to close in March. After this show, no more shows will continue.
“I’m not looking forward to Sunday’s show,” Artisan Center Theatre co-founder and president Richard Blair said through tears. “Community theater offers something you can’t get anywhere else, and I think it’s a tragedy to lose so many community theaters.”
“Anastasia” will be the Artisan Center Theatre’s final show.
“I know this is really sentimental for a lot of the kids,” Byerly said, “some of them have been here since they were 3 or 4 years old.”
“It’s kind of sad, no, really sad,” said Trinity McCallum, 12, who began acting at age 3. “I love that we’re all connected and we’re all one big community, one big family.”
“You and I met, we will go our separate ways, but the bonds we forge here will last a lifetime,” Blair said, looking away and wiping away tears, “and that’s what I’ll miss most of all.”
Artisan Center Theatre’s “Anastasia” opens Friday night and runs through Sunday. Click here for tickets.
