The grassroots effort to create a performing arts foundation in Madison County now has a name–Madison Virginia Performing Arts (MVPA).
On Tuesday, interested community members met to continue discussing the creation of an arts-based initiative in the county, an idea that is being spearheaded by Madison County Economic Development Committee Chair Jim Jewett and county resident Britt Shankle. The meeting, which was attended by approximately a dozen people, focused on the steps needed to form a 501c3, non-stock company, including selecting a name–MVPA–and deciding on the first production.
The organization will be member run with the members selecting a board of directors and officers including a president, secretary and treasurer. Both Jewett and Shankle will serve as directors. Members will pay an annual membership fee with the possibility of different levels of membership with each member having one vote. The organization will also incorporate a foundation, making it easier to obtain donations.
“This isn’t a light undertaking,” Jewett said. “Unless there’s a commitment from people it’s going to die.”
Shankle said the organization also isn’t taking anything away from the school system’s Mountaineer Theater, an afterschool program that will expand this upcoming school year to kindergarten through 12th grade students and puts on annual performances.
“We’re not trying to hedge in on their field,” she said. “We want to be able to support them, bring awareness to performances they are doing and grow and develop into a community theater program.”
As work continues in the background on setting up the organization, plans are moving forward to host auditions next week for the group’s first production. The play, “Minuteman,” was written by Jewett and focuses on a farming family living in what is now Madison County near Criglersville in 1775 through 1783. The family is struggling to make a life and is drawn into the Revolutionary War. It’s the first of what will be a series of plays focusing on the heritage of the county. “Minuteman” features nine characters with several additional historical and minor characters.
Auditions for eight of the nine characters will be held June 11, 7-9 p.m., June 12, 3-5 p.m. and June 14, 2-5 p.m. at the Madison County Tourism Office, 110 N. Main Street, Madison. A possible read through may be held during Sunday’s audition. The eight characters being cast include Ezekiel Smith, who is drawn into military service; Elizabeth Green, an indentured servant; Milas Burton, a lawyer and property owner; Clayton Barnes, Ezekiel’s best friend; pastor Robert Williams, a local Methodist preacher; his wife, Mary Williams; their daughter Jane Williams; and son James Smith. Those interested in auditioning should come prepared to read scenes and sing a folk song. For more information, email Jewett at jjewett@madisonco.virginia.gov.
The play will be performed Sept. 12-13 at The Barn at Stony Brook in Banco. Jewett will serve as director and also portray the role of Jeb Smith, a farmer and father of Ezekiel.
In addition to performances, MVPA plans to benefit the community. One item on the agenda is filming videos of farm rescue exercises that will be held in October for local fire and EMS personnel.
“There’s a lot this group could be doing for the community,” Jewett said.
In summarizing the spirit of MVPA, Shankle said, “we’re creating a community group, uplifting and supporting the community with activities for the youth and the seniors, encompassing all facets of Madison County and all people of Madison County, celebrating the heritage and culture and people here.”
