Nestled in the woods of eastern Columbia is a hidden mecca of community theater: the Maplewood Barn Theatre, Columbia’s only live outdoor theater.
The theater is mainly driven by volunteers, affectionately self-proclaimed “Barnies,” who work at creating a spring and summer season of shows for Columbia’s citizens to enjoy. The 2018 summer season included shows like “Sweeney Todd,” “The Tempest” and most recently “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club.”
Maplewood is a unique set-up for a theater, because the actors perform out of a renovated barn as opposed to a traditional indoor theater, and the volunteers take time out of their day to uphold the decades-old tradition. To “Sherlock Holmes” director Molly Dodge, however, the most unique part about this theater is its fellowship.
“I like the camaraderie,” Dodge said. “In this type of theater, I think it’s a good tool for people to learn theater. The big ones, they’re already established pretty much. Here, you can actually see people, teach them things. And it is kind of rewarding to see them go on and do other stuff.”
Maplewood Barn President Robert Klick finds that as opposed to professional theaters, which may place their focus in glory and money, community theaters are in it for memories, love and everlasting bonds.
“Professionals look at the bottom line, they want the review, they want the notoriety,” Klick said. “It’s not about the group or the family. In here, we could have the worst show in the world artistically, but if we have that family and people come out of it, making friendships and knowing that they can rely on one another, then it’s a success. That’s what brought me in 10 years ago and that’s what keeps me going.”
The heart of Maplewood has been key to its survival over the years. In 2010, a fire destroyed the original barn, throwing off production and causing Barnies to make do with what was available.
“I just remember driving by the day after,” Dodge recalled. “The next morning all that was standing was the old refrigerator. And I just cried and cried.”
As the barn was being rebuilt, Klick remembered using a meat truck as a box office and concession stand, drawing straws to see who had to kill wasps nests, chasing out raccoons and moles and using food troughs to hold props and supplies. The fire, Klick said, exposed the barn for what it truly was: a spirit of perseverance that transcended the original space.
“That’s when you saw what the barn was made of,” Klick remembered. “The space is important and it’s good for us to have. But the barn itself is more than just the space. It was ridiculous. It was basically just the stage and we had tents and trailers, but we got together and it went well.”
Both Dodge and Klick would be very excited to have MU students come out and get involved with the Barn. Dodge in particular finds value in the technical aspects of the theater.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for anyone,” Dodge explained. “Come out and learn the technique. We can always use crew people. Learn the lights, the sound, every aspect of it. There’s a lot of wonderful stuff going on here.”
Klick has a special connection with students who may have been involved with theater in high school and assumed coming to MU meant growing up and leaving the performing arts behind.
“If you were in high school and you did stuff and you were in choirs or you were in drama or you were a tech person and you thought, ‘Oh now I’ve got to grow up and I got to do whatever it is that your major is,’ don’t stop doing performing,” Klick said. “Come out and do it. Like us on Facebook, check out the website and come out to audition.”
The 2018 summer season at Maplewood has come to a close, but with the recent announcement of next summer’s season, auditions for upcoming shows will open in early 2019.
_Edited by Alexandra Sharp | asharp@themaneater.com_
