When Deb Hatchell and her husband moved to Thornton from California 15 years ago, they were disappointed there wasn’t a community theater to join.
Like many other residents, she said, “We were chomping at the bit for a theater to show up in Thornton.”
When an announcement was sent out in March that Thornton’s own Break A Leg! Theatre Company was forming, about 80 people signed up to help, that number has since only dwindled by a few.
In a couple weeks, the all-volunteer cast and crew will showcase their hard work with the production of “The Canterbury Tales or … Geoffrey Chaucer’s Flying Circus.”
The play is a modified version of Geoffrey Chaucer’s collection of stories that were written in Middle English, explained the show’s director, Heather Ramirez.
“This (version) takes all those Chaucer’s stories and tells them as if Monty Python wrote them – but, it is age appropriate,” Ramirez said.
The play offers several roles for the 23 actors. Amy Sheffler will play five characters and said she’s enjoyed every moment of preparing for the show. Sheffler used to be involved in theater growing up and when she saw the community group advertised on Craigslist, she called to sign up as soon as she could.
“I’m a stay-at-home mom with an infant and I needed to get out,” Sheffler said.
The company is set up in an unusual way – the cast and crew are part of eight of teams that are responsible for a particular theatrical element – acting, directing, costumes, sets, sound/lighting, graphics, marketing and photography.
“We wanted this to be an enriching environment where participants with all levels of experience could enjoy being a part of community theater,” said Heather Cleveland, arts/volunteer specialist with the city.
Hatchell is the mentor for the costume team, which has 10 members ranging in age from 8 to 70s. Her group has had to create 60 costumes and accessories.
She said she’s put in about 400 hours since March, despite having a full-time job. However, all her hard work has been rewarding, she added.
“I’ve seen a big change in people who first came in the door,” Hatchell said. “They had no idea they could do half the things they’ve done.”
The production will take place in the new Arts & Cultural Center, which was originally a church that the city bought and remodeled.
The city of Thornton is producing the show with supporting funds from a Scientific and Cultural Facilities District grant through the Adams County Cultural Council, Cleveland said. She added that the company has been given unofficial notice of a 2012 award but it won’t be official until the county commissioners approve it sometime in the fall.
For those involved in this year’s production, hearing about future shows is welcomed news.
“I hope we can make it such a success that they have to bring it back and grow it as big as Northglenn, or even bigger,” Hatchell said.
Tammy Kranz can be reached at tammyk@metronorthnews.com.