New Community Theater Group Taking The Stage In Deer Park

They don’t have money, a permanent stage or props, but they have the requisite performer’s virtue: a love for the stage.

A group of about 25 Deer Park and Riverside residents last month formed north Spokane County’s first community theater group in hopes of bringing plays to the area.

Civic pride is at stake, say organizers.

“It just brings the community closer together,” said Maureen Dobson, chairwoman of the theater group. “There are many in town who enjoy putting on a play, and you have to go to Spokane or Kettle Falls to watch a play.”

The newly formed Deer Park Arts Commission floated the group $100 to buy the script of a hillbilly comedy called “Hatchet Holler.” Performances are scheduled for January, during Deer Park’s Winter Festival.

A director has not been selected, said Dobson.

The play was picked, according to Dobson, because “it is simple, has lots of people and few sets or props.

“We really don’t have anything right now,” said Dobson.

The group formed three weeks ago after the newly formed Deer Park Arts Commission advertised for performers.

“People have talked about it for years,” said Dobson. “We just decided we were going to do it.”

The theater group is still seeking performers, and has found a surprising amount of interest, said Dobson. She is involved because her 15-year-old daughter, Morgan, has a yen for theater.

“We’ve got students from Riverside and Deer Park schools interested,” said Judy Porter, librarian at Deer Park Junior High. Porter is making costumes for the play.

Eventually, the group would like to stage two or three plays a year, including a production during the summer Settler’s Days festival.

“We are hoping eventually the players will be real well-known, so the community will expect plays out of us,” said Dobson.

Performances will likely be staged at the Civic Center, said Dobson, but an agreement is still being worked out.

, DataTimes