INTERVIEW WITH COMMUNITY ACTORS THEATRE'S DIRECTOR JENNIE HAMILTON

Community Actors Theatre’s Jennie Hamilton Interviews

Words by Kristen Fogle

Jennie Hamilton has been referred to as the “soul” of C.A.T., and anyone who has met this spunky, quick to laugh, wonderful woman knows this to be true. Her formal role is director, but, with June 27 ringing in the 30^th year of her company, this former school teacher has filled many roles and served in many capacities to service her beloved C.A.T. From humble beginnings as a gypsy theater group to present day in a renovated space in City Heights’ Oak Park neighborhood, Hamilton has seen many highs and lows with her steadfast community theater and has much to share. Jennie sat down to speak with me (with just minutes to spare before the house opened prior to a performance!) about some of her choices along the way.

Kristen Fogle: When did you start thinking that operating a theater might be a reality?

Jennie Hamilton: When I first started out I didn’t think of it becoming a reality, it just sort of became one…I was always interested in acting as a little girl, always had the desire to act. But it didn’t dawn on me until I was grown and had children…I started taking some classes and a group of us [from the class] started meeting and wanted to start our own theater group. We talked about it for months. I chaired the first meeting, then we got our board members, and we started having weekly meetings and applied for our 501c3, which was a struggle. The president at the time had so many struggles, he gave up. Then I went through the same thing, but we finally got our non-profit status, and started doing plays. Then we had to prove ourselves. We were gypsies here and there until we got our first store front theater. We stayed there for five years, but it wasn’t big enough. So we started looking and found our current building about 14 or 15 years ago. It was so dilapidated. Everyone thought I was crazy for wanting the building. Converting it into a theater took a lot of time and money. Three, maybe four years ago, we renovated, and more walls came down. Now we have a brand new building—all except one wall!

KF: Many questions spring from your recollection. For one, why decide on a non-profit business as opposed to a for profit theater?

JH: We knew that we weren’t going to make much and were advised that that was the best route to go at the time. We still struggle with that and it seems the best route currently as well.

KF: Another thing that occurred to me was that it is interesting that as gypsies you settled in City Heights. In doing research and articles for other publications I freelance for, I have really come to see the consistently negative press that City Heights has. Which I think might be painting an inaccurate picture of the area.

JH: You know, you’re right, these same things are happening elsewhere. It’s one big world.

KF: Does that hinder people from coming to this part of town to see theater?

JH: I think it does, but despite the way people might feel, a theater is needed in this area. I will go down fighting for it. (Laughs.) There is this stigma, but it’s really very safe [here].

KF: Let’s talk about the plays.

JH: We do six productions a year and two youth productions. Tanya Fuad's "Newroz Piroz" will open the season. Newroz is the Kurdish New Year and marks a time of music, dancing, colorful dress, and festivity, and the play’s plot is loosely based on a real party from the author's personal experience. The play will run June 1 to June 24 on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $14 for seniors, students, military, and disabled and are $16 for general admission. Patrons can call the theater at (619) 264-3391 for a reservation.

KF: I know in addition to the shows you put on, you have a modeling academy…Are there other programs that we’ll be seeing in the space this season?

JH: We’re not starting anything new, but we are trying to promote what we have, have that take hold better. I’d like to promote the modeling for adults. And we do workshops for children, youth. The adult classes aren’t happening at the moment because we aren’t getting enough adult students. Tina Real, in the past came in every first Saturday to sign people up for auditions—if she has an opportunity where a person’s particular look is wanted…I want to reach more people about the things we do here. Then we will want to look into some other things. For instance, I’d like to add an exercise class for seniors.

KF: What is some advice you have for people that are trying to start theaters in a down economy?

JH: Be prepared to do a lot of work, and spend a lot of your personal money. (Laughs.) If you’re not willing to do that, you might want to think twice.

KF: I know Community Actors’ utilize a lot of different fundraisers.

JH: We are offering a cruise through YTB Cruise Lines…they built a site for us and people can book online cruises, airfare with all major airlines, rent cars, vans, hotel rooms, purchase/send gift baskets, flowers for all occasion… We are still booking for our upcoming August cruise if anyone is interested. We just started the casino bus trips again, and we are doing one May 28. We have Food 4 Less and Ralphs Rewards Cards where people can register online and every time they buy something [the companies] give back to the theater. It’s not much but every little bit counts. Last year in September we did a trip to CBS studios to “Let’s Make a Deal” as a fundraiser, and we will do that again this year.

                                                                                           

For more information about Community Actors Theatre and/or Jennie Hamilton, please visit www.communityactorstheatre.com.