The resounding success of the Art’s Alive production of “A Christmas Carol” last weekend has stoked the excitement for the community’s latest arts organization and what the future might hold.
“It was a success with a capital ‘S’,” said Dan Maxey, a member of the Art’s Alive board. “In my opinion, it could not have been better and I could not be any more pleased than I am.”
Maxey is not alone in his assessment of the three sold-out performances of the Charles Dickens classic that was presented at the Hoover Community Theater. With a cast that included many newcomers to the stage and some last-minute fill-ins whom Maxey said “jumped in wholeheartedly” at the last minute, the hard work and dedication was evident in every performance – and the audiences were not afraid to share their appreciation with the cast, Maxey and director Ann Plumb.
Maxey said he enjoyed seeing the bonds develop between cast members who probably would not have even met if not for the play – something that often happens when cast members spend such a great deal of time together. He also enjoyed watching people develop as actors and the entire cast get better with each performance.
“It was really interesting for me to see that with each subsequent performance they became better,” he commented. “They became more comfortable, more at ease in front of an audience. They really blossomed.”
But now the play, which had taken so much time and energy, is in the past and the organization is ready to look forward to fulfilling its mission of bringing the arts – all types of art – to the area. Maxey said the group is so appreciative of the funds that were donated by the former Trenton Acting Guild that helped fund the recent play, but noted that Art’s Alive is not an acting guild. And it’s not the county’s former arts organization, the Grundy County Friends of the Arts.
“When we first got up and going we knew that people had been very, very familiar with Friends of the Arts and we decided not to try to be a replica of Friends of the Arts,” Maxey explained. “We decided to take a whole new approach.”
Those who remember the FOA might recall that the organization usually set up a year’s worth of events and patrons could purchase a season pass or purchase tickets for separate performances. With Art’s Alive being organized just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group doesn’t feel that planning that far in advance and offering a “package price” is not a good idea at this point. Their goal, for now, is to try to set up a “big” event to be held once a quarter and if other good opportunities come up, they can be added.
Even though the play was a success, it would be a mistake to think that Art’s Alive is only going to be interested in performances such as plays and musicals – although that will definitely be a part of it. Maxey said he hopes to have instrumental performances (orchestras, ensembles, etc.), visual arts such as a traveling exhibit or perhaps a local artist, hands-on demonstrations by experts in a variety of arts and even, he said, perhaps something in the culinary field, such as a baking demonstration.
His point is, Art’s Alive is a new organization with new ideas – and has a desire to even get more input and ideas. The group normally meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the commons area of Cross Hall on the campus of North Central Missouri College. Due to the Christmas holiday, this month’s meeting is scheduled for the second Tuesday, Dec. 14. A $20 donation gains membership to the organization, but Maxey said input from everyone is sought and the meetings are open to the public.
“Even if people just want to come and sit and listen, we would be happy to have them,” he said.
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