JENNIE: Celebrating 80 years of The Augusta Players!

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — This is a very special episode of the Jennie show, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the longest existing arts organization in the CSRA, The Augusta Players ! We hope you’ll watch the full show by clicking the video above!

Here are some highlights:

For eight decades, The Augusta Players has provided professional theatrical experiences for adults and kids. But did you know it’s also a social services organization? That’s right. With programs including Augusta Readers Theater for Senior Citizens and Camp Wonderland for young people with autism spectrum disorder. And how many of you remember going to one of the Player’s shows on a school field trip? That was thanks to the ARTReach program. With such a long history, the Augusta Players has certainly become a cultural fixture in the community.

The Augusta player’s 80th season opens next weekend (Oct. 4-6) with an epic production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera, Jesus Christ Superstar . And it is going to be huge!

Scott Seidl is the executive and artistic director of the Players, and Luke Amerson plays Jesus.

JENNIE: Scott, before we talk about this epic performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, you are at the helm and a real milestone in the Augusta players history, the 80th season. How does that feel?

Scott Seidl: “Well, that’s very kind of you to say that. And technically, that’s what my job title says. But, you know, our organization was created by volunteers. And really… I’m so honored to be a part of this organization. So many incredible leaders have come before me to get us to where we are today… and continue this tradition and help grow it with the new building and the shows that we’re doing and the other things that we have planned for our future.”

JENNIE: And Luke, how do you feel about being a part of the 80th season?

Luke Amerson: “First of all, Scott’s being humble. He’s an incredible leader. And we are very lucky as an organization to have him at the helm. He’s taking it to brand new places, new heights, and everyone’s so excited about that. The community can feel it. But for me, I went to high school here and then moved away and had a music career in Atlanta for about 7 or 8 years and then moved back, and have been looking for the right opportunity to hop back into the Players because it’s something I always loved. And this was the perfect show.”

JENNIE: “It’s such a well known show. It is an enormous production, a 42 piece orchestra?

Scott Seidl: “Correct, 43 if you include the conductor! And not only is the entire stage filled with musicians–full ten piece string section and two bassoons, two oboes, two clarinets, three flutes, lots of brass, four French horns– it’s massive. Plus, this amazing rock band that’s at the core of all of it. We have musicians that’ll be up in the balcony as well at certain parts during the show. And then on top of that, it’s a cast of 33, an adult choir of 20, and a children’s choir of 20. We talk about the children’s voices being the voice of God within the show.”

This epic, once-in-a-lifetime production of Jesus Christ Superstar is coming up October 4th – 6th. See showtimes below. Get your tickets online at augustaplayers.org

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Centered in the heart of downtown Augusta, the Imperial Theater is home to Augusta Players mainstage performances. The building is 106 years old, so it’s no surprise that it has a rich history.

Originally called the Wells, the Imperial opened as a silent movie theater, then spent most of the 20th century operating as a regular movie theater.

Executive Director Charles Scavullo says it closed for a little while in the early 1980s, but was saved by community support and transformed into a performing arts theater. Today, the Imperial has partnerships with the school districts, museums, and ballet schools to keep the younger generation a part of the history.

“That classic theater environment lends itself to a whole new generation that may not have that experience and exposure. They’re used to multiplexes!”

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THIS is a really big week for the Jr. Players, too! Children of Eden Jr. will be presented at the Kroc Center September 27th & 28th.

Children of Eden Jr. is based on the story of Genesis and the age old conflict between parents and children. It’s a Stephen Schwartz musical. And you know that name– some of his most famous shows include Godspell, Pippin and Wicked!

Christina DeCarlo is the Associate Artistic Director of the Augusta Players. She’s here today along with Justice Blakeman, who plays Father.

JENNIE: Christina, there is a Children of Eden. But tell me, what’s the difference with the “junior”?

Christina DeCarlo: Broadway Junior is a organization through Musical Theater International. And what they do is they take full length Broadway shows and they cut them down to an hour. So young people ages 8 through 18 can perform the material. It’s adapted from a full length 2.5 hour musical to a one hour musical that’s more easily digested by young people, and that young people can get on the stage and not feel so overwhelmed with the material.

JENNIE: And Justice, as a senior, it’s no wonder you’re playing Father. Tell me a little bit about that character.

Justice Blakeman: “Well, Father is he’s the equivalent of God in the story of Genesis. But in this story, he’s more of a literal father figure to both Adam and Eve and their children that end up being born throughout the course of the show. He’s not so much as a deity, just as a more real person. You see more of his emotions of excitement when he is creating like someone who’s having fun with creating something new and unique and then the love that he shows to his children.”

JENNIE: Justice, I love that and you are so articulate!

Christina DeCarlo: That’s just one of the many tools that theater– why theater is so important for young people… it teaches so many life skills how to articulate how to work together as an ensemble, how to walk in somebody else’s shoes. Arts education is just so important.

You can catch Children of Eden Jr. this Friday and Saturday, September 27th & 28th, at the Kroc Center. Friday at 7PM… two performances on Saturday, 4PM and 7PM.
Get your tickets online at augustaplayers.org

And finally, the Augusta Players is in the middle of its capital campaign for the new permanent home of the Players. Something that’s been five years in the making! And the organization needs the community to get involved and support the campaign. It’s easy. You can click that QR code there on your screen or donate online at theapcampaign.com .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.