By Brooke Thomas, BEAT reporter
BRUNSWICK, OH- Imagine the crowd cheering loudly after a successful theatrical performance. That's what took place on October 15th, when Medina residents welcomed its new black box theatre, Cellar Stage, to the community.
This black box theater has been in the works for some time, and with the walls finally completed, its first season is quickly underway. Their first production, the Night of the Living Dead, utilized a splatter zone, since Cellar Stage does not have a stage, meaning these actors performed right in front of the audience, giving the scare an even more authentic effect.
Jen Dove, who is behind this project, has been doing theater for seven years. She started out doing community theater, but saw Medina could use their own place to perform. “Most people who go and see immersive theaters have to drive to Cleveland, Akron, or Canton,” Dove said. She wanted to give Medina an immersive theater experience right in their own backyard, and with local actors spotlighted in front of a community they know well.
Dove mentioned she was very excited for Cellar Stage’s grand opening. “It went extremely well,” said Dove. “Medina is really becoming more artsy, more of a tourist town.” She wants to provide more adult entertainment opportunities locally that are different from going to a restaurant or an event on the square by providing something to fill that gap.
Dove said her favorite part of running each of these shows is watching how actors prepare to go on stage and the different little rituals each actor performs beforehand. A lot of actors have all quirky tricks that they do before they pop out on stage, stating that some of them sing songs to pump them up, wave their arms around, or even do jumping jacks to shake off the nervous energy. She said one of the best things she learned backstage is how to prevent yourself from getting a dry mouth; the magic solution was eating sour gummy bears, and those little snacks have since become a staple in all her backstage dressing rooms.
Gypsy takes the cake as Dove’s favorite play she has performed, not only because she thought it was a nice play, but because she got to be a part of the light crew behind the scenes, and even memorized all the lines.
With the grand opening now completed, the focus is on Cellar Stage’s next production, Elvis and Friends Kickoff the Holidays, on November 27th and 28th. Dove stated, “We definitely hope to see you in the audience for this and all events this season.”
To join Cellar Stage’s mailing list, the Blacklist, and find out what’s going on first, visit cellarstage.com.
Brooke Thomas, Brunswick Middle School, is one of over fifty student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program, celebrating its 25th year, is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifts, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to https://www.bcsoh.org/community/new-beat-site to learn more about the Program, or visit https://thebeat.viebit.com/?folder=ALL to view videos produced by the students.
PHOTOS: Jen Dove (Center, in grey/burgundy) during ribbon cutting for Cellar Stage; Cellar Stage performance; Cellar Stage space; upcoming events.