Im standing outside the Coach House Theatre in Akron one hour before their performance of Beth Henleys play, Crimes of the Heart, directed by Elaine Fippin, starring Mary Mahoney, Shawna Hamilton and Shanna Tedeschi. Im here because I, like many others, did not know this quaint little theatre in Akron existed. With its darkly lit intimate atmosphere, the Coach House is a great place to see a piece of theatrical artistry unfold. Im not here to review the play though, instead, Im here finding out about the varied jobs that are available here at the Coach House for all you theatre hungry students. Ive noticed that a lot of folks here at the university dont know of the various stage opportunities outside the bubble of KSU. I got a chance to sneak backstage and chat with some of the plays fabulous cast.

            Theatre is a growing business. With the success of recent films like Chicago and Moulin Rouge; interest in theatre is at an all time high and doesnt appear to be getting smaller. Every year, more and more students enroll in Kent States Theatre program with high hopes of starring roles, but with the theatre program filling up, getting a major role in a play is much easier said than done. So, what is a college student to do? Junior theatre studies major Shanna Tedeschi, and actor, Alex Nine give us insight. The University theatre is a place for you to grow with your peers and professors, but the community theatre is where you really learn to work with older, professional actors who have been working all of their life. It is so important to do theatre outside of Kent State, Shanna says, youll get a chance to make connections with professionals instead of being cuddled by the University. However, the Coach House is just one of numerous community theatres located only a short distance away from Kent State. In fact, another theatre group is located just down the street on Main. That group is the Kent Stage Players.

            While the jobs are quite readily available, money, on the other hand, is not. The Coach House alone is a small theatre located right next to the Akron Womens City Club where it has existed for over 75 years. Since it is a small venue, the Coach House provides for a very intimate experience with the cast and crew, generating a fun, relaxed evening. Lack of hard funding though, makes most of these jobs: volunteer only. Dont get in it for the money because there isnt any Nine jokingly remarks. Whats really important, Alex adds is that, you get to work with people [actors and directors] with all kinds of different styles.

Outside of Kent States Theater program allows other opportunities for growth as a student or as a professional actor, crew or director. Both Shanna and Alex stressed that while the University is integral to your learning experience, community theatre is just as important, if not more so in helping you chose the field for you. Shanna adds, You can pretty much do anything you want here. You can act, you can work on sets, you can make props; whatever. You could even serve coffee if you wanted to. This is her first play at the Coach House, but one of several that she has helped with around the area. This was Alexs eighth play at the Coach House and as he comments, the Coach House is my home.

With upcoming plays like Barefoot in the Park and A Christmas Carol and the Kent Stage players working on several plays in the Kent area, the time to stretch your acting muscles as Shanna says, are here and now. Even if you arent in the theatre program, but you wish to be involved with stage performances, check out these various places. They are always open to a having around another helping hand. Auditions can be found in the various newspapers around the Kent area and on the web. Websites to check out are, www.coachhousetheatre.org for Coach House opportunities and for other local opportunities, check out www.fredsternfeld.com. Now is the time to get involved, There are so many incredible ways for social change as well as entertainment [with plays], Tedeschi adds, you can watch a movie over and over, but with a play, theres just some kind ofmagic. I couldnt agree more.