Callaway Arts Council Announces New Partnership With Maplewood Barn Association
Callaway Arts Council Announces New Partnership With Maplewood Barn Association
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fulton, Mo. – Aug. 5, 2024: The Callaway Arts Council is excited to announce an exciting new partnership with the Maplewood Barn Association in Columbia, Missouri.
The collaboration will bring live theatre to the Brick District Playhouse stage at 613 Court Street, part of The Brick District, in downtown Fulton.
On behalf of the Maplewood Barn board of directors, President Morgan Dennehy explained that for more than 50 years, the “Barnies” have performed as an ensemble only during the summer months at their outdoor venue in Columbia. Partnering with the Callaway Arts Council gives them the opportunity to share their knowledge, experience and love of theatre during the off season. The unique partnership will also allow the Barnies to expand their footprint outside of Columbia into the Fulton community.
“We are excited to be a part of making the Brick District Playhouse stage come alive to entertain audiences and encourage the Fulton and Callaway County thespians to play a major role in bringing live theatre to the broader mid-Missouri community,” said Dennehy, who added she feels a special connection to Fulton. She and her husband, Sean, were married at St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury, on the Westminster College campus. Dennehy also is the district manager of Junior Achievement of Central Missouri, which works closely with The Callaway Bank in a joint effort to partner with Westminster College and William Woods University to teach financial literacy to Callaway County students.
The new partnership with the Maplewood Barn is one of three primary components of the Brick District Playhouse: Come to the Table Catering, which provides catering services while helping with event coordination, and TRYPS Children’s Theater in Columbia, which coordinates local youth performances.
Debbie LaRue, Vice President of the Callaway Arts Council, said that as with TRYPS performances, the local community is encouraged to audition and participate in a variety of ways in the new Maplewood Barn venture, which will begin with tryouts for The Importance of Being Ernest, directed by Dennehy, in November. Performances are scheduled for February 2025.
“We hope to reignite the theatre bug within the many thespians we know are out there,” LaRue said. “Whether it is working behind the scenes with set building, lights and sound, costumes, promotions or as an actual member of the cast, we invite all those interested to join us for an informational meeting to learn more details.”
An organizational meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Brick District Playhouse for all those interested in participating in the new Brick District Playhouse/Maplewood Barn Theatre partnership.
Follow the Brick District Playhouse for a complete production schedule and other updates on Facebook, on Instagram and at brickdistrictplayhouse.com. For more information, please call 573-342-3388 or brickdistrictplayhouse@gmail.com.
