Joseph M. Callahan once stated, “Arts education aids students in skills needed in the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate, the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence.” As an educator, I believe that we have come to a crucial point in this day and time. We are throwing out the old and bringing in the new, in many different aspects of life. One of those things that seem to be thrown to the wayside is the arts. As stated above, the arts have a fundamental importance in the life of students and individuals alike. I have been fortunate enough to have experienced many facets of the arts, and I hold those moments dear to me.
I am from Morganton, North Carolina. It is a small city, situated in the Catawba River Valley, in the Foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. When I think of my upbringing, it is much like that of the students represented here in Athens, with the one exception. My main focus, growing up (because of my dad), was sports. I played football, soccer, and even tried basketball. All the while, I knew there was a yearning for something more. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved my involvement in those contact sports, but they just did not "do it" for me. It was not until my 6th grade year of school that I began to realize what that yearning was all about.
As with many middle school aged children, I was anxious upon arriving for many reasons. Being in a new place, surrounded by new people, and not knowing many people in my classes, had me terrified. The one thing that I found solace in was choir. I had never been in choir or any "real" music class, up until that point. The moment I stepped foot into the choir room, it was like all my anxiety was released. I was able to breathe, after a day of not breathing. Yes, this sounds completely dramatic, but it was in that instant that I realized, this was what I was yearning for. The choir director greeted us with smiles and singing. I will never forget my first day! This (choir) was the catapult for so many things that were to come. I later started acting, taking a more of an active role of singing in church, and solidifying myself as someone who not only loved the arts but someone who allowed it to infiltrate every essence of their life.
Fast forward several years, and I find myself in a city much like that of my hometown. I mentioned there was an exception to my upbringing compared to that of the students represented here in Athens, but I never fully divulged what that exception was. Upon arriving into Athens, you are greeted with a sign that says "the friendliest city". While this is a true statement of the character of Athens, I have come to find many different characterizations of the place I now call home; one those characteristics being "a place of opportunities". I say this because Athens, though small, offers many opportunities for children and adults alike. Prior to my middle school years, I had little to no opportunities to better understand that yearning that I had deep within for the arts.Contrary to my upbringing, Athens offers a multitude of things for students and adults to be a part of. Anywhere from choirs, to plays, to art classes, you name it. Athens probably has it and offers it to any willing participant.
I believe whole-heartedly in the above mentioned quote, given by Joseph Callahan. Although this is true, I believe that he could have stopped his statement at "Arts education aids students" (period). I have come to find that the arts offer an opportunity to release all of one’s inhibitions and truly delve into something that has the potential to radically change their life. For me, choir was my home away from home, theatre was and is an opportunity to express myself in a way that I normally can't on a day to day basis, and singing is another form of communicating and expressing emotions I may not want to convey. I am grateful that as a 25 year old man, I am still able to take part in these activities; without them, I do not believe I would be the truest version of myself. I am thankful for a place that understands and appreciates the arts in the same manner and fashion that I do. I can only hope and pray that Athens, "the city of opportunities", births new creative and imaginative geniuses to rise up and bring back the importance of such a beautiful aspect of this life.
-Jonathan Berry plays Lennie in ACT’s upcoming Of Mice and Men, which opens Friday April 21, 2017.
Alex Lauterbach says ACT’s Willy Wonka “Truly Is a World of Pure Imagination”
Willy Wonka has been an amazing experience. Many members of our cast and crew have never been in anything as large scale as this production, but it helps to have a fantastic support system and director.
When I first auditioned for Willy Wonka, I was in a room with about 50 children. I bemoaned this, thinking it would be hectic and messy, but they proved me wrong. Every single child in the cast is as professional and respectful as you would expect an adult to be, and they still manage to make rehearsal fun and exciting. This show would not be what it is (which is magnificent) without them.
Brittany Duggan (Mrs. Beauregarde), Alex Lauterbach (Violet Beauregarde), and Jedi Gabel (Phineous Trout) in rehearsal for Willy Wonka.
The stage is truly a sight to behold. Every intricate prop or detail that director, Melonie Carideo, could dream up is there in all of its brightly colored glory. Even without costumes or music you can feel the set come to life. It truly is a world of pure imagination. None of this would have been possible without the artistic abilities of the City Park and Athens City Middle School art classes. I know we are all very excited to welcome our audience and enrich your theater experience.
It’s claimed that confession is good for the soul. So here goes. More than a dozen years ago when The Arts Center purchased the old Harrod’s Grocery building to serve as its new permanent home, I was a skeptic. Uncharacteristically, I kept my mouth shut about my misgivings, in part because my wife sat on the committee that recommended going forward with the project.
Most people don’t realize that the maintenance costs of a large commercial space are typically much greater than those of a residence. You think your utility bill is high when it hits $300 in a month? You can bet the bill for your church, meeting hall or the local arts center will be well over $1,000...or even several thousand. So how could the AACA hope to meet these costs over the long haul once the initial enthusiasm for the project had faded?
All these many years later, I still don’t know how Lauren and her staff (and Ellen before her) have managed to pay the monthly bills. I’m just glad they found a way.
Since my retirement three years ago, the Arts Council has become my second home. Building stage sets has long been my hobby. I don’t know which end of a golf club to hold, and I couldn’t catch an Asian carp in the Illinois River. But I’ve had great fun trying to figure out how to build safe and adequate set pieces for the Athens Community Theatre on a shoestring; using recycled boards (which keep getting shorter and shorter), and re-re-recycled utility screws until the heads are a mangled mass.
And as I work, I am aware of the steady stream of friends and neighbors who come to The Arts Center to paint, to work in clay, to sing and dance, to display their creations, and to support the foregoing activities. They range in ages from 2 to 82 (which means I have at least another 19 years before they throw me out).
Oh, and by the way, The Arts Center has also been the venue where I have experienced the joy of inhabiting roles as varied as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (see above), the Emperor Charlemagne, the ghost of John Barrymore (see above with skull), and my current incarnation, Willy Wonka (see below).
So to all of you supporters of the AACA, thank you for keeping the doors open for me.
