As if this SAVOR OUR SOUTH weekend didn’t have enough fun to offer, the Starkville Community Theatre opens it’s show, Beau Jest, tonight and runs Feb 9-12 & 14-18! We are so privileged to have award-winning theater right Downtown! We caught up with the SCT folks to talk about what makes this company so special and why folks need to see Beau Jest… Enjoy!

For those who may not be familiar with SCT, give us a quick introduction.
Starkville Community Theatre is one of the state’s most active community theatres! Formed in 1978, SCT is still growing strong and currently enjoying a successful 35th season. An award-winning theatre, SCT is active in the Mississippi Theatre Association, Southeastern Theatre Association and the American Association Community Theatres. We offer quality entertainment for our community and wonderful opportunities for theatre enthusiasts to be involved – on stage, backstage and everywhere in between!

We love having award-winning theatre right on Main Street. Why did SCT decide to locate the Playhouse downtown?
From the moment Starkville Community Theatre decided to start looking for a permanent home, our leaders knew they wanted to be downtown. In fact, several of the first people to pledge money did so with the stipulation that the new theatre be on Main Street. We looked at several places, but found the perfect fit when our longtime supporters, the Katz, offered to sell their building to us after they closed the Bridal Shop. When we first opened, there was really not much else open downtown at night. Parking was certainly easier. But we are where we always wanted to be – where we are visible and an important part of our community. We like to think that SCT helped with the revitalization of our downtown area.

The Beau Jest show will be opening on Feb 9. Tell us a little about the play.
Beau Jest is a wonderful comedy about family. It seems Sarah Goldman has called an escort service. When her date, Bob, shows up he has no idea that Sarah wants him to pose as her Jewish and very serious (surgeon!) boyfriend, “Dr. David Steinberg,” for her parents and brother, Joel. Sarah doesn’t want her parents to know that she is still seeing Chris, who is NOT Jewish. The only problem is, Bob is also NOT Jewish. Nor is he a surgeon. But just as he explains that to Sarah the doorbell rings, and dinner with the family – and all the fun that follows – is off and running. 

The Theatre has been highly acclaimed in past performances. What’s special about the local acting, directing and production talent here in Starkville?
Starkville truly has an abundance of talent. Whether veterans or newcomers, we just have exceptional people in our community who want to be involved at SCT. One of the things we believe has helped us over the years is our dedication to cultivating young talent. Whether through our own Project PLAY, led by M. J. Etua, the strong theatre program Paula Mabry built at Starkville High School or our strong working relationship with Theatre MSU, we see bright new stars coming through our doors production after production after production. We also work very hard to cultivate talent within our organization. People are encouraged to get involved in small ways like ushering, finding props, helping with set construction and then urged to become more active working backstage or in the booth or on stage. And then we look for new assistant directors who may one day before directors. SCT is a family and we understand that to continue to produce great show, we have to continue to cultivate great talent.

What do you have coming up for monthly Fourth Friday events?
Fourth Fridays is an open forum for area writers who want to have their works read by and then discussed by volunteers and interested audience members. The events are open to the public and happen on the fourth Friday of each month. This month our Fourth Friday’s theme is plays. We are currently taking submissions for the Feb. 24 event, and so if you would like to submit a work or volunteer to read, please email us at email fourthfridays@yahoo.com. March is all about the writer. We are having a grab bag and writers may submit any format – everything is welcome for the March 23 event. And April is Poetry Month so we will have an evening of Poetry on Friday, April 27.

Time to make your picks: What’s your favorite food and fashion for opening night?
Well on opening night, it is all about the champagne of course! As for fashion, whatever makes you feel fabulous and confident!

Thanks to SCT for taking the time to chat with preparations for the show in full swing! We hope you’ll take the opportunity to catch Beau Jest Downtown!