Shepherdstown will be getting another venue for the arts as the Full Circle Theater Company converts a former gift shop into their new home.  The community theatre will be located at 113 South Princess Street once renovations are finished.  The group has already started taking down walls to open up space for a stage and purchased 172 turn of the century oak chairs from a church in Maine that they found on E-Bay.Co-manager and artistic director for the theatre Robin DePietro-Jurand says the process has been wonderful because of all the volunteers, but they can always use more help from anyone who wants to get involved.  Volunteers are important to the theatre because right now, DePietro-Jurand says; the theatre is being funded out of pocket.DePietro-Jurand started the theatre a year ago with co-manager Laura Richards Bakin because they felt that the rapid growth of Jefferson County called for more opportunity for community theatre, and since there was not one in Shepherdstown, they hoped to capture the audience in the surrounding area. She added that the area has always been very supportive of the arts, and that people in the community expect and look forward to events like art shows, concerts and plays.  An example of that support comes from the neighboring Carriage Café, which plans to be open for theatre goers before and after shows.Nine of the ten cast members for the upcoming play were on hand Saturday November 8th for a rehearsal in preparation for the December 5th show.  The cast hopes to have the theatre ready by then, but DePietro-Jurand says it is ok if it is not entirely done, because people will be able to return throughout the season and see how it is changing and developing.  The first show will be A Christmas Carol, and will be an adaptation of the original by Michael Paller.  One cast member said it will appeal to fans of the original as well as capturing a new audience for the holiday tale.The group is not exclusively for actors.  Any one in the community with an interest in theatre is welcome to attend rehearsals.  DePietro-Jurand says they are in need of more people to work tech for the shows.  There is also room for people who want to work on costumes, build sets or simply paint scenery.Interested parties may stop by the theatre or call them at (304) 268-7798 or visit them online at www.fullcircletheaterco.org for more information.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Categories: Local News
Tags: Arts, Community Theatre, DePietro-Jurand, Jefferson County, Local theatre, Paller