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“Rapunzel” Cast Members Recall Lessons Learned from Director Dave Henderson

Actors Nate Foster and Halli Richards said they’re having a blast as the Prince and the Witch, respectively, in Towngate Theatre’s production of Rapunzel, which opened this past weekend. Their enjoyment is due in no small part to the long theatrical history they share with Dave Henderson, Towngate’s artistic director.

Nate has worked with Dave since he was a student at Wheeling Central. Both Nate and Halli were in shows he directed at Wheeling Jesuit University (now Wheeling University).

They shared with us the lessons Dave has taught them over the years.

Always Own the Stage

Dave cast Halli in her first show.  Because of that show, she said she became “obsessed with performing.” Dave brought out in her talents she didn’t know she had.

“One of my very favorite memories of working with Dave during college was actually a small tradition that the cast and theatre guild upheld during every single show,” Halli said. “After working tirelessly for months to make sure each show would be a good one, we always looked to Dave for some kind of approval or reassurance. We knew that if Dave said the coveted words, ‘We have a show!,’ that we had really done our best to not only impress an audience, but to impress Dave Henderson.”

Nate recalled a maxim Dave taught him that has served him well beyond the stage.

“‘If you mess up, make it big. Own it. Because it will look as though it was intentional,’” Nate said. “I use that advice every single day wherever I may be.”

He also taught his students to be present and engaged with every moment that happens on stage.

“I remember Dave teaching us at WJU that if our whole entire bodies weren’t engaged to the point of exhaustion by the end of a show, that we probably weren’t giving enough effort,” Halli said. “It’s because of that lesson that I always try my hardest to take advantage of my time onstage, to engage and exaggerate in order to put on a memorable show for the audience, and to enjoy the time that I’m given to perform with wonderful castmates.”

An Awesome Experience

It’s been a while since Dave directed Nate and Hallie. However, working with him on Rapunzel reminded them of the impact he’s had on their growth as performers and as individuals.

“It’s just like it has always been. Still full of fun,” Nate said. “Dave is a wonderful director and deserves so much more credit than he takes.”

Halli said this was her first time back on stage since she graduated from college.

“When I say I missed theater with everything I have, I mean that! Working on Rapunzel has been incredibly fun and has helped me to learn more about theater and performing, now in a community theater setting. Getting back on stage has been a huge breath of fresh air, and to make it even better I’ve been lucky enough to work with talented veterans of the Towngate Theatre stage. Not only has that helped to make me feel comfortable and welcome, but it has helped to make me better and to really enjoy this show.”

She remembered Dave’s time at WJU, where shows had to be staged as minimally as possible.

“I’ve known for a long time that Dave is a talented man, as he helped us to create shows we were truly proud of at WJU, often with small numbers, a small theatre program and few resources,” she said. “So, to see Dave thrive at Towngate, to continue to watch him create awesome sets and bring shows to life with the help and support from others who care as much about theater as he does has been so much fun.”

“My last statement is directly for Dave,” Nate added. “Thank you for all of your help over the past eight years. You’ve really helped mold me into the person I am today.”

A Genuine Love for Theater

When you ask Dave about his legacy as an educator and director, he balks at the idea, simply saying he hopes his students have gained a genuine love and respect for the theater, along with a sense of humility. However, he holds his former students in high esteem, and not just because of their considerable talent. He told us Nate and Halli both have a dedication and commitment to theater.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Nate for nearly nine years while he was a student at Wheeling Central and Wheeling Jesuit and at Towngate,” Dave said. “Nate always brings a great energy to the stage and has the ability to create many different characters.”

He called Halli a “true triple threat.”

“From her freshman year at Wheeling Jesuit to her senior year, she has constantly amazed me with her incredible stage presence. She acts, sings and dances and does them all incredibly well. I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with both of them and hope I continue to have that opportunity.”

Get Tickets

Performances of Rapunzel take place at 7pm Friday, February 7 & 3pm Saturday, February 8. Kids will love this imaginative version of this classic fairy tale.

The show takes place at the historic Towngate Theatre in the heart of Wheeling’s Centre Market District.

Purchase tickets online, by calling 304-242-7700 or at the door, if available.

A Night of Spoken Word with The Prosers

The Prosers return to Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre stage this Saturday, January 25, for their first production of 2020.

Titled “Waves,” the evening will explore the various types of waves that intersect with our lives.

Finding a Theme

Audiences love The Prosers because of the loose and unpredictable approach the group takes to each of their productions.

“A couple months before each show, we meet at Towngate to spitball and brainstorm ideas,” director Samantha Pearl said. “Some shows haven’t even had a theme, while other shows have had a script that incorporated our poems into a more theatrical performance.”

One of The Prosers’ newest members suggested the theme for Saturday’s show.

“As soon as she said, ‘Waves,’ it struck a chord with me and the other people who were there,” Pearl said. “We realized it didn’t have to be about water only. It could be about an action or an object. We pick themes you can take in a broad sense and leave open to interpretation so it’s not too limiting.”

Everything is Original

Not only does the group collaborate on the theme for each show, they also write it from scratch.

“All of the poetry in our shows is written by the person performing it,” Pearl said. “I like to say, ‘This isn’t your grandma’s poetry.’ We’re not going to bore you to death. This isn’t like you’re reading classical poetry in a literature course. This is very real, very emotional, very heartfelt writing.”

It’s the performers’ personal investment that adds to the intimacy of each show, she said.

“The imagery some of our writers put into their pieces transports you into their lives, and you can find so many things to relate to. It’s honestly such an incredibly powerful experience.”

Pearl herself uses poetry as a therapeutic outlet. Currently an Interdisciplinary Studies major at West Liberty University, her goal is law school.

“This is a cathartic writing experience for me,” she said.

A Diverse Cast

The Prosers is not limited to college students or young adults, as one may assume. The cast is very diverse.

“We have a woman who is in her 70s, and one of our newer members is 15,” Pearl said. “We span all ages, and have many different perspectives, so in our poetry and in our shows, the audience can find something to relate to.”

Saturday’s production will feature Sandra Baker, Madysen Breedlove, Carolyn Burdine, Ben Casteel, Carly Hatfield, Charlie Henry, Jenn Jensen, Ryan Norman, Nativa O’Brien, and Pearl.

How The Prosers Began

Five years ago, Towngate Theatre held a night of poetry featuring a local poet, which was followed by an Open Mic where anyone in the audience could present their work.

“A woman by the name of Sara Finchum read a poem she wrote and said it was considered Slam Poetry,” Tim Thompson, Oglebay Institute director of performing arts, said. “The poem was fantastic and her reading of it blew my mind. It was about a personal experience during a rough time in her life and was full of passion and drama.”

Thompson approached Finchum and asked her to put together an entire show. Finchum agreed, and The Prosers was born. When Finchum moved out of town, Cameron High School English and Speech teacher Whitney Healy took over the group.

“Whitney added a theatrical element to the performances,” Thompson said. “When Whitney needed to bow out gracefully because of family obligations, Samantha, who was already a member of the company, took over. We decided to simplify our approach: chairs–sometimes on the current set for whatever play is going on, a mic, a blue wash, and a spotlight on the poet.”

Thompson said this approach emphasizes the poetry better, allowing each production to be a “Celebration of the Spoken Word.”

Partnering with the Community

The Prosers perform three times each year, with two performances featured at Towngate’s “First Friday” events. In January, the group has the stage to themselves, continuing the tradition of an Open Mic at the end. This Saturday will also include a special art exhibit reception.

“We had an art exhibit reception on January 3 that highlighted the work of West Liberty’s art therapy students, but many of the students couldn’t make it because school was not in session yet,” Thompson said. “I spoke with Dr. Susan Ridley, the professor, and we decided to have her students return at 7 p.m. before the Prosers’ performance so we can show their art again.”

Thompson said they hope to make this partnership with Dr. Ridley and the WLU art therapy program an annual event.

Always Open to New Members

Pearl said The Prosers is always looking for new members.

“Whoever’s interested in sharing their work and getting up on stage is more than welcome to join,” she said. “Go to our Facebook page or contact Towngate Theatre for more information.”

See this Show

Admission to Saturday’s production is only $5. The Art Therapy Exhibition begins at 7 p.m. with an Open Mic to follow The Prosers’ performance at 8 p.m. Reserve tickets online, call 304-242-7700 or purchase at the door.