By Sharon Challenger.
(Nov. 5, 2019) — The latest buzz about town has been revolving around a new theater group here in Haddam, called the Blue Fire Stage Company.
Residents were introduced to cast members recently during the Cell Block Tales Tour at the historic Haddam Jail. To the delight of the community, Blue Fire Stage actors portrayed various prisoners who were incarcerated in the jail during the 19th and 20th century.
Company members include founders Rebecca Degnan who serves as President, Mark Degnan, Treasurer, Dawn Alger, Secretary, and Officers Melissa Rostkowski and Christa Douyard.
When not working to build a new theater company, Rebecca works as a School Counselor and is the Founder of Shoreline Singers Choral Program. The choir group performs a wide variety of music including Broadway, spirituals, jazz, pop, and classic rock. Their focus is on bringing people together to create music and develop their musical skills.
Mark works as an Architect, Melissa is an Elementary School Music Teacher, Christa is a Graphic Designer, and Dawn works as an Administrative Assistant.
Having worked in various aspects of theater for several years they all had a dream of creating a theater company of their own where they could share their talent and joy with their community.
For Melissa, the idea of being asked to be a board member of Blue Fire Stage Company was quite thrilling. “I am so happy for Rebecca that this dream of hers is becoming a reality. The educational and performance possibilities for theater lovers living in this area are very exciting.”
Christa’s theater experience began in High School where she had opportunities to learn the various aspects of putting on a theater production. She gained further experience later by getting involved in community theater programs where she met Rebecca. For Christa, “Starting Blue Fire Stage Company is like a waking dream… it’s a lot of work, and it is a bit surreal. I’m excited about our future, I am most excited about our mission to pass on our knowledge and experience to our community’s youth.”
Realizing the therapeutic value of theater, they set about to develop a plan to bring their goals to fruition.
They are planning on producing a show next summer which will include older teens and adults. Ultimately, they would like to do a full season of shows for children, teens, and adults.
In addition to producing shows, they plan to offer educational experiences and classes where students of varying ages will be introduced to various aspects of theater. Areas of concentration will be acting, singing, dance, technical theater, and more.
Unlike many community theater groups, Blue Fire Stage plans to offer an Apprenticeship Program which will provide opportunities for students to work alongside theater professionals where they will receive training in the fields of stage managing, props, set design, set building, and pit orchestra performance. This experience will provide students with skills which they can use in their school productions as well as prepare them for college should they decide to pursue a degree in theater arts.
Theater productions are like team sports where all the players must rely on one another to meet their goals. When performers learn all the aspects of what it takes to put on a show, they make a much stronger team. If you have had to create a prop, you will take much better care of it as an actor, the same goes for costumes, scenery, etc.
Theater offers students opportunities to develop many skills including listening carefully, memorization, movement and coordination, planning, timing, visual acuity, dedication, the ability to work under pressure, respect for deadlines and colleagues, following direction and much more. Students often wonder when they will ever use fractions, but when they work on building a set, or making a costume, they soon understand why knowing the difference between ½ inch and ¼ inch is crucial. All the skills students can master in theater are easily transferred to any career.
Currently Blue Fire Stage Company is looking for a space where their future classes and productions will be held. It is their goal to find a place locally so they can bring entertainment and educational experiences to our community. A Cabaret fundraiser called “An Evening of Inappropriate Song”, is being planned for late February 2020. The proceeds will go towards their summer show and start-up costs.
So “what is Blue Fire?” you may be wondering. “Blue fire” was originally the name of a special effect used in Victorian theatres in which a mixture containing sulfur would be ignited to create an eerie blue glow on stage. The effect astonished audiences at the time, who had never seen anything like it before, hence “blue fire” came to be used to describe anything equally amazing or sensational, or that astounded an audience. (Mentalfloss.com)
Haddam residents will surely enjoy being amazed by this new theater company, and we welcome them to our community!
For more information Blue Fire Stage Company and their future events, check out their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Blue-Fire-Stage-Company-107140010676586/
Photos of jail by Kathy Brown; photo of Rebecca courtesy of Blue Fire Stage.
Another use for HES.