Oct 2, 2018 6 min read

Have you been to the theater lately? Cynthia Berg, artistic director for The Old Schoolhouse Players in Hickory, has spent her life there.

The New Jersey native moved to Avella with her husband, Wayne, and three children in 1981, and started a cabinetmaking and stained-glass business. But theater was always in her blood, and she taught drama at three local area high schools for years. One of OSP’s founding members invited her to their theater, and she never left. Here’s her story.

How long have you been with the theater, and what is its history?

I became involved with The Old Schoolhouse Players in 1996. I was charmed by the beautiful turn-of-the-century stage with a curved apron. The members of the theater group were so warm and welcoming that I immediately felt like I belonged. My husband eventually became a member because of his interest in lights and sound.

The theater group started out as small band of community people under the direction of Bud Allison, who gathered folks to put on shows to benefit the Lion’s Club. They officially became The Old Schoolhouse Players 27 years ago. Their home base was, and still is, the Mt. Pleasant Township Community Center on Wabash Avenue in Hickory. Hickory High School was established in the building in 1915 and saw its last graduating class in 1959. It then became a grade school for Fort Cherry school District. The building was saved from the wrecking ball after the school closed its doors in the late 1980s by individuals who saw the value in keeping such an historic building.

Are all of the actors local and volunteers?

We are a nonprofit group that is run by volunteers. The only “pay” is a small stipend for technical crew, musicians and directors to help cover gas expenses during the rehearsal process. The core group of OSP are local people who care deeply about keeping the theater going in this rural area. In some cases, our shows are an introduction to theater that, we hope, will encourage patrons to become our season ticket holders and to also explore other theaters in the Pittsburgh area. All of the actors who come to our theater absolutely love the space and the family-like environment just as I did. Because of this, we have a core of people who show up at auditions ready to be a part of another OSP theater adventure.

What exciting productions do you have ahead?

Our current production, the comedy “Dearly Departed” by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones, is in rehearsal right now and will open on Oct. 12 and run for two weekends. It is centered around a dysfunctional Southern family as they cope with the death of the family patriarch. It balances laughter with some wonderfully poignant moments. Our December musical is called “The Christmas Schooner.” The music is beautiful and the story tells of a captain who risks all to transport Christmas trees across the Great Lakes to immigrants in Chicago. Our season for 2019 is set! Our shows include the comedy “I Ought to be in Pictures” by Neil Simon; the musical “Ring of Fire,” the music of Johnny Cash; Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast;” Ken Ludwig’s comedy “Leading Ladies;” and finally, the musical “It’s a Wonderful Life” by Tom Sharkey.

How do you decide what productions to do?

The decision process for choosing plays for our seasons takes several things into account: the demographics of our audience in terms of ages and interest, cast-size requirements, production cost and draw for potential cast members. I start by reading plays that I think work for our venue. I then test them out by conducting reading sessions with a committee of members. We discuss the shows, and a final slate is decided upon to bring to the membership meeting. The group then votes on the final choices.

Who is your core audience?

Our core audience, as in most theaters these days, are the baby boomers. I can say that with affection as I am one of them. With certain shows, like this season’s “Willy Wonka” and “Shrek,” we drew younger audience members and their parents. We draw mostly from the Washington and Allegheny County areas, although I will say we have picked up some tourist visits because of our advertisement in the Washington County Tourism magazine. But, when all is said and done, the best advertisement of all is word of mouth. So many times I hear during the meet-and-greet at the end of the show, “I didn’t know about the show until so-and-so told me. I’m so glad I didn’t miss this.” I always tell my cast to spread the word, because they are the best advertisers.

How is local theater faring these days?

I think local theater is doing well as far as drawing enough audience to perpetuate the program. In order to secure the future of all community theaters, the challenge is building and maintaining the active core group of dedicated individuals needed to produce quality productions. The good news is that we do have younger people getting involved, and our youngest are bringing along parents who are enjoying the experience, as well. This is what keeps community theater alive.

Why do you enjoy your work with the theater?

The art of theater requires creativity in many different areas. Working as a theater teacher and with a community theater has enabled me to do all the things I love: designing sets, costumes and lighting, acting, directing and writing but, most of all, working with lots of creative, talented and wonderful human beings of all ages and backgrounds who share that same passion called theater.

For more information, visit www.osptheater.com.