Starlighters Theater is a community treasure

To the Editor,

     We have a great little treasure amongst us in Jones County that I believe many have yet to take the opportunity to enjoy. I am talking about Starlighters Theater.

     Back when we moved here almost 14 years ago, we enjoyed productions in the older building; but let’s face it, even with its quaint charm, it was not the most comfortable place to be.

     Now, jump ahead several years and we now have the opportunity to enjoy a spacious community theater due to the purchase of the old Motorcycle Museum. The new theater opened in April of 2014. It is always fun to listen to patrons walk into the new theater for the first time. They are amazed at the size of the new theater.

     Starlighters is run entirely by volunteers, and those volunteers put in many countless hours to make our little treasure thrive. Whether it be marketing, set construction, working the box office, costumes, and of course acting, there is a home for anyone that is interested in becoming involved in Starlighters. Both of my kids have been involved in Starlighters productions, which has led to our family becoming vested in Starlighters. In some way, our entire family has all been involved with the theater at some point or another, so there is a job for anyone looking!

     Starlighters does four major productions a year, and those people involved in those put in countless hours for a couple of months prior to the two weekends of productions. Do we always have big-name shows that you are familiar with? That answer would be no, but we have a group of individuals that research several different plays a year. Maybe what they chose wouldn’t be what you would have chosen, but I can honestly say I have been to several productions over the past few years and haven’t been disappointed by one.

     Are there some I love over others? Of course, but it always amazes me when I go to a production to see the quality of acting we have here right in our little community. You might even be surprised and see someone you know and will be shocked not knowing they had the acting bug in them just waiting to get out.

     We draw actors/actresses from all surrounding areas. We have people that have driven from Manchester, Newhall, Cedar Rapids, along with many others. We even have volunteers that have grown up with the theater from at one time attending the children’s workshop years ago to now becoming an adult and directing a show of their own.

     Some of the volunteers have taken on a couple of other special productions this year that were also fun to attend. A couple of volunteers started a children’s workshop that lasted for several weeks over the winter and then they were able to use those skills this summer for a production of “James and the Giant Peach.” Recently, while working the box office one night, I was listening to a couple of kids talking in the lobby and the one young boy said it is fun to be involved in a real play production versus just the plays he does at school.

     Maybe theater hasn’t been your passion in the past, but I really think if you would step out of your box and make it a local date night and try it, you might be surprised, and who knows, might even want to come back again! With more and more community theaters popping up in the corridor, it is not hard to find a play to go to often. But why not try out our local theater and maybe take in supper at a local restaurant prior. Shop local!

     There is still time to step out of your comfort zone this year and attend “Christmas Dreams,” which will be playing Dec. 8-10. Stop into the box office in the evenings or better yet, call from the comfort of your own home 462-4793. Or log into www.starlighters.org and purchase your tickets without leaving home. I guarantee you will be shocked with the talent that is in Jones County and waiting for you to enjoy!

     The 2018 season includes “The Kitchen Witches,” “The Miss Firecracker Contest,” “On Golden Pond,” and “She Loves Me.”

     I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has supported Starlighters in the past and helped us get to where we are today, and to be able to enjoy the fine theater that we have today. We have something right here in Anamosa that many small towns would love to have and something we can be proud of. So, step out of your comfort zone and call and get reservations to the next show, or better yet, purchase a flex pass for a Christmas gift for someone! Who knows, you might just want to come back and better yet, even maybe get involved. Looking forward to seeing you at the theater!

Marcy Pate

Anamosa, Iowa