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| August 16, 2013 |
Turning the Kaleidoscope on Bill Fegan, Part lll ~ Envisioning The Future |
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The Maestro’s Dream
By Christina Boyce
Photo: TimKellerArts.com
What will Bill Fegan do next? President of the Santa Fe School for the Performing Arts (SFTSPA), Vice President of the Shuler Restoration Committee, a member of the Board of the Short Grass Music Festival (and lay-warden of Raton’s Holy Trinity Episcopal Church), his status as maestro of Raton’s theater scene is uncontested. Thinking about the Shuler’s upcoming 100th anniversary in 2015, Fegan’s colleagues in the theater community are wondering what comes next? All of eighty-six years young, Fegan has devoted much of his life to Raton and the Shuler Theatre. He admits that thoughts of retirement cross his mind, but mostly he is thinking about the future of The Santa Fe Trail School for the Performing Arts. Fegan has long held the dream that Raton is home to a thriving theater that attracts students from all over the world to come to live and study in Raton. Complementing that, he dreams that residents consider Shuler productions “must see” events and visitors extend their vacations to be able to see the shows. It’s a bold beautiful dream he wants to see before he takes his final curtain call.
Raising funds is Fegan’s main responsibility as President of the Santa Fe School for the Performing Arts. Working on an annual budget of between $60,000.00 and $70,000.00, Fegan stretches funds to produce a full repertory summer season plus a Christmas show and an Anniversary show and various additional events. Two shows coming up, The Sublime Shubert on Tuesday August 20th and the Chinese Golden Acrobats on Thursday August 22nd fall into the category of “additional events.”
Fegan helped to create The Chinese Golden Acrobat’s in 1978 and their performance is a benefit for SFTSPA, made possible by the Chinese Golden Acrobat Company. The touring company calls Fegan father and they want to help make Fegan’s dreams come true. They are donating all of night’s proceeds to show of their gratitude for all Fegan has done for their company.
Thoughts of the future sparkle throughout our conversations. Fegan says that he’s always been lucky and so he’s always counted on things happening in his life. He says “somehow when a need arises something always happens to make it work out.”
Creating a vibrant performing arts destination in Raton cannot happen without a long list of contributors, which Fegan is quick to list. Including all the talent and crew that brought life to the stage, SFTSPA is generously supported by many: local service clubs and organizations, private benefactors, Angels, Supporters, Good Friends, the Raton Arts & Humanities Council, the Shuler Restoration Commission, and major funding from the Whited Foundation, the Sloat-Prince Foundation, the Laird Foundation, the Macarone Family Foundation and the William H. Darden & Kathryn T. Darden Foundation. Fegan’s dream took major step toward becoming reality when the Isabel Castillo Family Foundation divested all of its assets to allow SFTSPA to purchase property directly adjacent to the Shuler. The Isabel Castillo Performing Arts Center (ICEPAC) has enough space for multiple rehearsals, set construction, storage, event hosting and rental space.
Colorful moments from a charmed life keep turning in Fegan’s dreams even as designs in the kaleidoscope turn more and more on what is real. Fegan repeats his mantra, “something always happens to make it work out.”
In the mean time, excitement for the 100th Anniversary has begun. Just two years away, on April 27 2015, Fegan and members of the community are dreaming up plans for the “Centennial Rose Celebration.” That first show, “The Red Rose” was a musical set in a French girls’ boarding school; Fegan doesn’t think it will get a remount. He does predict that there will be an array of events to delight audiences of all ages. We can be sure this occasion will draw hundreds of visitors to Raton to help celebrate Raton’s jewel, The Historic Shuler Theater. Mark your calendars and plan on being part of our history. Right here, in Raton!
Visit www.shulertheater.com for details as they become available
Fegan can be reached at the Shuler Theater, 545-445-4746, or via email at bill@shulertheater.com
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August 15, 2013
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Turning the Kaleidoscope on Bill Fegan, Part ll ~ Patterns of the Past
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By Christina Boyce
Photos Courtesy of Bill Fegan
Fegan credits his college Professor, Dr. Esther Doyle, with inspiring his decision to pursue a career in the theater. His appreciation for Dr. Doyle’s generosity shows in the many ways he continues to nurture and inspire the creative aspirations of all the people, young and old, who have had the good fortune to work with him. Fegan admits that he’s been creating shows since he was a boy and that as a young child he organized neighborhood kids to produce carnivals and magic shows for his church and school. He says, “I can’t remember a time that I didn’t do this kind of stuff.” Fegan reiterates the power of live performance to enhance lives by inspiring imagination, creativity and collaboration every chance he gets.
 With Fegan at the helm, booking professional national touring shows for the Shuler, a new tradition took hold as companies performed on the Shuler’s exceptional stage. Word of Raton's special theater spread throughout the touring theater community even as Fegan continued to produce new shows for his Kaleidoscope Players.
He had several teams, up to eight at a time, which toured nationally. He also had his shows performed regularly in five different regional theaters. Ratonians had the opportunity to see the new shows as each tour launched in the Shuler.
Fegan trained as a teacher so it was natural for him to open the theatrical experience to Raton's youth and adults; local talent found opportunities on and behind the stage in his productions. He built a network of state and regional theater connections that would expand options for everyone. The Kaleidoscope Players provided local and area schools with drama teachers and theater programs. His work raised the profile of the Shuler Theater in the community. A natural outcome was that Fegan created a school for the performing arts, known in early years as the New Mexico School for the Performing Arts. Testament to his accomplishment came in 1967 when New Mexico’s state legislature designated Fegan’s Kaleidoscope Players as New Mexico’s Official State Theater, in recognition of his glittering efforts.
Fegan had produced dozens of shows when The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) asked him to come to work for them. Funding a project sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, the NEH recruited him to create programming that would introduce people to the Humanities. Fegan relocated to Princeton, New Jersey from 1969 to 1971 to work on the program, called “Time Out For Man.” His work earned him notice in the US Senate Congressional Record. Fegan cites it as his “great national accomplishment” and possibly for earning him the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree granted him by Juniata College in 1972. Fegan returned to Raton in 1972 to return to his work with the Shuler.
In 1974 he was offered the opportunity to take over the agency that had been booking the national tours of the Kaleidoscope Players. That adventure took him to Panama City, Florida and then Dallas, Texas as he learned the business and made many connections in the entertainment industry. In 1988 he returned to Raton, relocating the agency he now owned, Bill Fegan Attractions, Inc., to the offices in the Shuler Theater. Fegan has been working with the Shuler Theater and Raton ever since and the community has made sure that his contributions have been recognized. In 2001, the Raton Arts & Humanities Council awarded Fegan the first "Raton Treasure Award" and in 2007 he received the New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Fegan still keeps regular business hours at the Shuler Theater. He welcomes all visitors and gives a great tour. His knowledge is deep and the stories he shares, always entertaining, frequently involve famous people. Stop by the Shuler and ask Bill to show you around, you’ll be glad you did! Come back tomorrow for part three of this series.
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August 14, 2013
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Turning the Kaleidoscope on Bill Fegan, Part l
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Producer, Director, Actor, Agent and Impresario of Raton’s Historic Shuler Theater
Story & Photo
Christina Boyce
Bill Fegan’s career as a producer, director, actor and agent has earned him a reputation. Raton’s renowned theater impresario’s dedication to the Shuler Theater, to economic development in the city of Raton, and to the entertainment of audiences around the world has built a reputation of kaleidoscopic proportions.
He’s produced internationally-touring shows using professional and local talent and has worked tirelessly to develop a network of New Mexico, regional and national theater connections. His efforts have provided quality entertainment for Raton’s audiences since his arrival five decades ago. Gifted at nurturing both adult and youth talent, Fegan has devoted more than 36 years to creating a local theater of national stature. His legacy, if his dreams come true, will be to see the Santa Fe Trail School for the Performing Arts (SFTSPA) become a nationally-recognized program. Even after the summer season’s close, the program remains the focus of his attention.
Fegan tells a great story, or ten. Listening, I learn that his company of actors, The Kaleidoscope Players, landed in Raton for an overnight stay in 1962 on its way to performances in Taos. Three years later, through a series of serendipitous connections, the company made the Shuler Theater its home stage and Raton its hometown.
Raton’s business leaders recruited Fegan and his players to revitalize the Shuler Theater. Randy Forrester, city manager at the time, was working with local leaders to bring small businesses back to Raton’s downtown. The community had been impressed by the quality of shows that the Kaleidoscope Players brought to the Shuler in the summers of 1963 and 1964. They invited Fegan to relocate his production company, Ozark Productions, and the Kaleidoscope Players, from their home base of Mountain View, Arkansas. In exchange, Fegan would book two national acts per year for the Shuler.
Fegan imagined a brilliant future for the Shuler Theater, a fantastic venue that inspires all who walk its boards. He continues to build his legacy, creating a vibrant performing arts destination in Raton, New Mexico, now that the summer season of the SFTSPA has come to a close.
The story continues in part two of this three part series on Bill Fegan and the Historic Shuler Theater.
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| August 9, 2013 |
Back to School We Go With School House Rock
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By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
It will take you back to the days of yesteryear and Saturday morning cartoons when conjunction junction or I’m just a bill rang out of the TV speakers for young and old alike to sing along.
 The youngsters took to the stage of the Shuler Theater and carried us back to school as they belted out the melodies of those educational tunes. The theme of the musical was all about getting Tom (Zeb Medina), a teacher preparing for school, back in the theme of things.
The cast ranges in age from four to 14. They spent the better part of a month rehearsing for play and it seems they had a lot of fun as the kids put forth a stellar performance.
All songs performed came straight out of Saturday morning cartoons and if you were growing up at the time or a parent of a child at that time you will certainly remember some of the tunes like “Conjunction Junction”, “Interjections” and “Just a Bill”.
While the play runs about an hour you won’t realize it as the kids move through the tunes and bring back those delightful tunes. It’s another of the must see at the Shuler Theater. School House Rock Live Jr. will be on stage Saturday evening August 10th at 7:30 and again Sunday afternoon August 11th at 2:30 p.m.
To see the video click on this link
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| July 24, 2013 |
A Who-Dun-It Graces the Shuler Stage |
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By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
 A cast of eight brings the mystery of the game Clue to the stage at the Historic Shuler Theater. With over 200 different endings and the audience picking the ending, only chance can reveal the true murderer.
The audience will be asked to pick three cards. The cards will reveal the true who done it and where and with what. As the play moves forward the audience Mr. Buddy will reveal six separate clues. Pay close attention because there is a twist hidden in the clues.
There are two parts to the mystery, the before the murder and the after the fact. And of course don’t forget the butler always does it. Oh but wait there is no butler in this play, darn it who did it, the scorned lover, the scorned business partner. Or could it be the maid? If not the maid, it was the professor, oh but he is not a professor, but a, the mystery is yours to determine?
There are six possible suspects to this murder mystery and they all have a motive from money to a finely crafted swindle, and it even has some politics too. What more can you ask for but to learn the true answer will require a trip to the Shuler.
Clue will be on the Shuler stage July 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. and for the last of three shows on August 1st at 7:30 p.m.
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| July 18, 2013 |
Steel Magnolias, A Treat at the Shuler |
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By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
 Steel Magnolias, a cast of six women, will grace the Shuler stage with raw humor and camaraderie like no other. The ladies will delight you as their wise cracks and tears will show you what truly good friends are like.
These six ladies gel on stage in a way that only good friends in real life can. The ladies deal with the highs and lows that life brings their way. Director Perry Self notes in the program that this is a story of strong women. He adds they sometimes get on each other’s nerves, but they will show you the beauty of friendship.
As you sit and watch these wonderful actresses perform you to will feel the emotions that they portray. You will relate to the circumstances they live through from the wedding one friend to the funeral.
 M'Lynn (Adrianne Coleman) and Annelle (Tess Neary) share 350pL.jpg)
Gentleman if you want some insight into what goes on with small town friendships amongst women then this play is for you. As Perry puts it in the director’s note he hopes that you will enjoy this story and leave the theater with a deep appreciation for the people in your life.
It truly is a play that will touch you as these ladies perform their lines, their feelings and expressions. Steel Magnolias will fill the Shuler Stage on July 18, 19, 27 and August 2nd and 3rd at 7:00 pm. A Sunday matinee will hit the stage on July 28 at 2:30 pm. It definitely is a must see play by the Kaleidoscope Players at the Shuler.
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| July 7, 2013 |
2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Up, Up and Away |
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By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
 Saturday and Sunday saw colorful balloons once again grace the skies over Raton and the surrounding area as they took flight during the 2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally.
Spectators were once again awed by the sight Saturday morning while chase crews were excited by the experience and thrill of the chase. First time flyers Cydnee and Nichlaus Hild thought the flight was awesome on Sunday morning.
The crowd at Saturday’s mass ascension was in a festive mood and applause and cheers were heard often as the balloons lifted up. Sunday saw a lighter crowd but none the less enthusiastic.
Sunday morning members of the balloon rally committee were already talking about next year and looking forward to another great event.
Video by Marty Mayfield:
Up, Up and Away ~ Video By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
2013 International Santa Fe Trail Balloon Rally Returns to Raton ~ Video by Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
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| July 3, 2013 |
Two by Two They Come |
Preview & Photo
By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
 The story of Noah and the Ark is as old as they come, yet this production of the old story is not only a hoot and a moo but one with a marital twist that only the Kaleidoscope Players can bring to the Shuler Stage.
Noah (Rick Trice) gets word from God to build a boat to carry all the animals. He has to convince his boys Japheth (Drey Solano), Shem (David Ode) and his wife Leah (Rebecca Clark), Ham (Perry Self) and his wife Rachel (Jillian Solano) that this is their destiny and duty. Japheth however questions not only god but also how he can be so cruel. Japheth is single as well and unless he is with a mate will not be allowed to board the boat. Japheth also doesn’t want to go.
Enter the twist in the play, as Noah and Esther (Adrianne Coleman) has to convince Japheth not only to go but to find a mate as well. A woman Japheth met shows up, Goldie (Desiree Martinez) and is convinced to go along. Japheth soon confesses his love, here enters the surprise.
Other surprises arise in the play as act one comes to a close. Act two continues the twist in this play and finally the rudder is brought to bear. Rudder you say, another of Japheth concerns about the Ark as he questions God and the control he will have over the trip.
Finally land is found as the story goes but there is still more to the story and you will have to see it to believe it. Show times are July 4 at 6:00 p.m. and July 5, 13th and 20th at 7:30 and July 14, 21 at 2:30.
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| June 28, 2013 |
A Gun, A Rope and a Jumper |
Preview & Photo
Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The summer season at the Shuler starts out with a bang, a jumper and a hanging, all in one play. It’s “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s.”
With only three actors in this play there are more affairs, and twists to the murder plot that end's in a way you don’t expect. Attempts to kill off the inadequate husband, the jealous lover and the ever-searching wife provide plenty of mystery.
As an affair turns to murder, the drama turns comedic or does the comedy become drama? The lovers try to off the husband, but wait, the husband and wife try to off the lover. Then the husband and lover try to off the wife. It doesn’t end there as the wife (spoiler alert) leaves them both for another lover. Oh how twisted this comedy becomes as the crowd laughs at the many attempts at murder. But in the end whom do they kill as the New Year ball drops in Times Square?
A trip to the Historic Shuler will answer that question as you see Mrs. Arlene Miller (Jill Solano), Mr. Paul Miller (Billy Donati) and Dr. Mitchell Lovell (Perry Self) play the mixed up trio of lovers.
“Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” starts at 7:30 p.m. on June 28,29 and on July 6, 11 and 12. The July 7 show is a matinee starting at 2:30 p.m.
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| June 28, 2013 |
“Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” Returns to the Shuler Theater |
Opening Night! 
Story Christina Boyce
Photo Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
It’s Opening Night tonight at The Shuler Theater. The Kaleidoscope Players present the play “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s”. Bill Fegan, the Producer for the Santa Fe School for the Performing Arts, has presented “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” at the Shuler in the past. He recalls that the play contains a line that got the longest laugh he has ever heard in the Shuler. Fegan has been producing theater in Raton long enough to have become a legendary figure in town. He and his troupe, The Kaleidoscope Players, came through northeastern New Mexico in July 1962 on the final leg of a summer tour. They spent the night in Raton and headed off to Taos the next day. Along the way their vehicle was the first to be stopped by State Police in Cimarron, to let Cimarron’s Fourth of July parade pass.
For the duration of the parade, the group of mostly Easterners watched and became enthralled. The surrounding landscape and Patriotic display of rural ranch culture had time to stick deep. So deep, they returned the next summer, in 1963, having booked a night in the Shuler Theater to present their production of George Barnard Shaw’s “Androcles and the Lion”. The audience must have been impressed; the City of Raton invited the Kaleidoscope Players to return in 1964. That summer they had four nights at the Shuler. The magic of the Shuler, the welcome from the community and a well-received production led the Troup to relocate their company to Raton in 1965. They were “home” and audiences have been delighted ever since.
Many twists and turns between those first years and today, Fegan, who is eighty-six years old, is feeling fine. His excitement about this season and tonight’s opening night radiates calmly as he shares stories and ideas. This is what Fegan loves.
Fegan predicts audiences will love “Murder at the Howard Johnson’s.” The three-person comedy mystery farce stars Raton’s Jillian Trice, KRTN’s Billy Donati and Los Angeles’s Perry Self who share the stage in a festive romp across love, betrayal and attempted murder/s with "Enough laugh lines, mirth provoking situations and extravagant sight gags to outfit two rapid fire farces of the absurd." - Variety
Tonight’s opening night audience, no doubt, will be buzzing with delight and pleasure; a good thing for the Kaleidoscope Players, the Santa Fe School for the Performing Arts, the Shuler Theater and the city of Raton.
The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $13.00 for seniors and $5.00 for children. Special ticket books of ten tickets for $100.00 are available. Those tickets can be used for any show through out the season. The season schedule includes the musical “Two by Two”, about Noah & The Ark, “Steel Magnolias” and two youth productions: “Clue — The Musical” and “Schoolhouse Rock Live!”
“Murder at the Howard Johnson’s” runs June 28-29 and July 6, 7, 11 and 12. “Two by Two” runs July 4, 5, 13, 14, 20 and 21. “Steel Magnolias” runs July 18, 19, 27, 28, and Aug. 2, 3. “Clue — The Musical” runs July 25, 26 and Aug. 1. “Schoolhouse Rock Live!” runs Aug. 9-11.
Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Except a special 6:00 p.m. show on July 4th so audience, cast and crew can enjoy Raton’s annual fireworks display after the opening night of “Two by Two.”
Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m. Tickets and information are available at the Shuler Theater, 575-445-4746 and at the Shuler Theater website: www.shulertheater.com
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| June 20, 2013 |
Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous ~Traveling Through Time |
Photos & Story
Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-Media
 The Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous Association (SFTRA) has executed the 38th successful Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous for pre-1840’s Mountain Man Fur-Trade era enthusiasts open to the public. SFTRA’s event is hosted by the NRA Whittington Center on a piece of land, lost in time. “Relatively open,” the Raton Rendezvous welcomes the public, or “pilgrims,” to wander the camp during daylight hours; after dark, period dress is required. Pilgrims who get lost in the realism of this reenactment will have to make a costume change to stay and a wide array of vendors selling period clothing will be happy to help with that detail.
A high degree of time-travel is part of the lure that draws this pilgrim back to camp on a hot and undeniably beautiful June afternoon. I’ve come with hopes of getting some good photographs, to visit with friends who are annual residents, and, to check out the buffalo feast. Hatchet throwing practice provides an interesting distraction and a few photographs. It’s just after noon and the camp is quiet, I see people napping inside their tents as I wander though camp.
Slipping between present and past, eyeing lots of pretty things I want to buy, I finally catch up with Kyle Bell, this year’s camp Booshway or, head-honcho. He’s running an organized camp with over 200 residents for the week. Mister Booshway, as I end up calling him, is tending a giant cooker (a modern concession to high fire-danger conditions this summer) and serving up tasty bites of buffalo to all the hungry campers and curious pilgrims. Bell manages camp business and visits with all who stop to sample the simply prepared meat, no salt or sauce, just cooked as it would have been done back before such niceties were considered a necessity. Nearly a legend in the reenactment community, Bell’s love for this period of US history and lifestyle is evident in the detail of his attire and his camp.
Mountain Man era re-enactors are deeply engaged in their pursuit of the authentic experience, spending hours crafting their wardrobes, tools, tents and furniture. Enthusiasts have a plethora of events around the country to set up camp and to develop historical accuracy and detail as experience and knowledge are gained.
This year’s 38th Rendezvous established a new level of camp organization under Bell’s direction. He thinks one of the strong points of this particular rendezvous is that it is so open to pilgrims contrast to many which have very limited public access.
That welcoming atmosphere is a big part of why the event draws in the public and why re-enactors return year after year. Always scheduled for the week before Father’s Day, it will be interesting to watch SFTRA prepare for its 40th rendezvous. I asked Bell what he’d tell someone who’s never been to a Rendezvous but is curious.
He says, “Just come and have fun.”
That attitude and a couple of years might just turn a pilgrim into a camp resident in time for the 40th!
Resources to jumpstart your pre-1840’s Mountain Man Adventures:
Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous History
2013 Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous facebook page
KRTN Rendezvous Photos
More KRTN Rendezvous Photos
Plan Ahead:
2014 Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous: June 8 – 14
2015 Santa Fe Trail Rendezvous: June 14 – 20
More Rendezvous Sites:
Talking Bear’s Rendezvous Site
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| April 28, 2013 |
Curious Savage Wows Shuler Crowd |
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Ethel Savage throws darts at her step-daughter's photo, taped to the dart board.
Ethel Savage and the Guests of The Cloisters, ponder the mystery of where the money has disappeared to.
The Guests explain to Ethel Savage that they have agreed not to read the newspaper until it is a month old. Ethel wants to find out what's happening now...
Click the photo above to see a video clip by Marty Mayfield
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By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
The title "The Curious Savage" is no clue to the plot of this melodramatic play. While greed, insanity and thought provoking phrases mingle throughout the play you soon realize that it takes place in a sanatorium.
Ethel Savage (Adrianne Coleman) is committed to the sanatorium by her three step-children Titus (Howard Woodworth), Lizzy Belle (Jesse Gomez) and Samuel (David Henry) in the name of greed. They are trying to prevent her from spending the family's $10 million dollar fortune from their father, Mrs. Savage's husband. Mrs. Savage wants to use the money to create a foundation for those who dream big.
Ethel takes the money and converts it to bonds and then hides the bonds. About the time she does this she starts carrying a stuffed teddy bear everywhere she goes, thus the other reason to commit her. Unbeknownst to everyone the bonds are hidden in the bear.
Ethel Savage uses the children's greed as an opportunity to make fools of them by giving each a separate place to look for the money, all public places that will cause a major stir when they are caught. The greed definitely gets the best of them.
Once the secret is finally out Ethel is released from the home with the help of Miss Wilhelmina (Jillian Roberts) and Dr. Emmett (Jarrod Sandoval). A talk with Miss Wilhelmina does make Ethel ponder whether she might not prefer to stay at the home as a "guest".
While the residents of The Cloisters, Florence (Janese Little), John Thomas (Jordan Sandoval), Hannibal (Chicky Lee Gomez), Fairy Mae (Elizabeth Record), Jeffrey (Tony Goens), Mrs, Paddy (Kathryn Engel) are notably insane, moments of profound sanity and insightfulness provide audience members with much to ponder. In the end, Ethel Savage wins out and controls the $10 million for her foundation.
All in all the play is entertaining and heart felt and a joy for all who saw it.
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| August 10, 2012 |
Local Volunteer Misty Gomez Makes Costuming Magic |
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Misty Gomez has been busy this summer making costumes for Willy Wonka Junior, Santa Fe Trail School for the Performing Arts Summer Youth Theater Workshop Production
See Gomez's costumes this weekend at The Shuler, as the Santa Fe School for the Performing Arts presents the culmination of the youth theater workshop's production of "Willy Wonka Junior" tonight and Saturday night, at 7:30 p.m. and a final matinee performance Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Visit The Shuler Theater or, call 575-445-4746 for ticket information.
A golden ticket for Willy Wonka Junior, Santa Fe Trail School for the Performing Arts Summer Youth Theater Production Opening Friday August 10th.
Costumes for Clair Willden and Ila Medina, two birds of a feather in Seussical Junior, Summer 2011. Photo by ~Tim Keller Arts
Another photo of Seussical Junior, Summer 2011. Photo by ~Tim Keller Arts
A photo of Dr. Dolittle, Summer 2010. Costumes are by Misty Gomez and Ursula Garcia. Photo by ~Tim Keller Arts
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Story and photos By Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-media
Additional Photos TimKellerArts
It’s been obvious for a while now that there is something special going on with Youth Theater in Raton and those the developments are spear-headed by director Gail Dixon-Wilden. Watching the costuming become more and more ambitious over the last few years has my curiosity sparked. Last year, two productions, “Seussical Jr." and “Little Shop of Horrors”, reached a new level of cohesive and inventive execution for SFTSPA. I thought it was time to visit with one of the volunteer costumers making a difference in our theater community. Misty Gomez, a native of Raton, is making magic with costumes for The Santa Fe Trail School for the Performing Arts youth productions. I sat down to talk with Gomez about her work with SFTSPA as the final dress for Roald Dahl’s "Willy Wonka Junior" was soon to start.
Gomez’s costuming for Santa Fe School for the Performing Arts began with helping Ursula Garcia on “Arabian Nights”. Gomez’s daughter Asia had the role of “Speaking Bird” and Gomez made her costume. She enjoyed it so much that she offered to help Ursula on other youth productions, so much so that they become a team and also good friends. Last summer, Gomez landed the job of costumer for the youth production of “Seussical Jr." while Garcia was the costumer on the adult production of “Little Shop of Horrors”. Individually these women achieved outstanding costume designs for their shows, bringing the visual production quality of SFTSPA’s to a new high in 2011 and setting a high level of expectation for audiences in 2012.
Costuming SFTSPA’s youth theater productions is a big job because the casts are always large; they are designed to give as many kids as are interested a positive experience in theater. As costumer, Gomez is charged with creating a “world” for each show in which the characters look and feel at home and are excited about their costumes. She says, “Costumes have to be fun. If you don’t give the kids a costume they like they’re not going to act well for you.” For “Willy Wonka Junior” Gomez wanted the feel to be bright and colorful and also have “funk”. I asked her what that meant and she explained that she was looking for a mixture of cute, adorable and funny.
Costuming “Willy Wonka Junior” presents an additional challenge because so many people love the story and have seen it many times. There is a lot of expectation walking in the door with the audience. Gomez says this, and the success of “Seussical Jr.”, have made her a bit nervous about this production, but she is happy with the show and hopes the audience will enjoy it.
Helping Gomez with the job of costuming for “Willy Wonka Junior” were Kay Medina, Lisa Robertson, Ila Medina, Lori Clark, Maryanne Dailey, Mollie Freeman, Rosabelle Sneed and Ursula Garcia. Gomez is also responsible for the hair and makeup. She is quick to remind me that she has always had parents and others step up to help and that she could not do what she does without their many hours of help and support.
Gomez credits theater with giving kids a safe place to be themselves, to explore their identities playing different characters and, at the same time, learn to collaborate and to be more responsible.
She does the costuming for no pay, saying that she wants her kids to know what it is to give back to her community. I asked her why this was so important to her.
Misty admits that she was a troubled youth, leaving Raton when she was 16 years old, and not yet graduated from high school, for Denver where she thought she would make it big as a rapper. Even so her practical nature led her to take a job right away, finding work in a senior home in the laundry room. The reality of earning a living came quick, and her ambitious nature led her to get certification to be a nurse’s aide, enabling her to advance in her job. As her life settled, Gomez’ rapping dreams faded but not before winning 3rd place in a women’s competition in Boulder. Working closely with seniors, which she did for many years in Denver, helped her find peace with her troubles. She credits her mom with showing her how to sew though she says she learned to sew from one of the residents. Gomez returned to Raton in 2002 and is happy to call Raton home.
She’s the mother of four children, Johnny Gentry, 12, Asia Gentry, 11, Koby Gomez, 3 and Koriann Gomez, 2 and is happily married to Corey Gomez. When not tending family or working on costumes, she’s taking classes in Criminal Science with Luna Community College, which she began after attaining her GED this summer. Taking a part-time schedule so she can be at home to raise her children, she will complete her degree in approximately 6 years. Her goal is to go to work with at risk youth, helping them to find their path into personal success in their community. She will continue to volunteer with Santa Fe School for the Performing Arts and would like to expand her contributions into fundraising.
Gomez is excited about all the programs available to youth in Raton, though she would like to see more options in music. She believes that families are key to helping troubled youth and their families find their way to happiness and has seen Raton’s youth theater make a difference in many kid’s lives. To that end she would like to see more families engage in the many activities available to youth.
Misty Gomez has found her strength and is well on her way to creating much magic in her community as well as the costumes on stage at the Shuler Theater in “Willy Wonka Junior”.
Gomez's costumes can be seen this weekend at The Shuler, as the Santa Fe School for the Performing Arts presents the culmination of the youth theater workshop's production of "Willy Wonka Junior" tonight and Saturday night, at 7:30 p.m. and a final matinee performance Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Visit The Shuler Theater or, call 575-445-4746 for ticket information.
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| August 2, 2012 |
Student Costume Designer Inaugurates Costume Department |
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 Holli McFadden, costume designer for Santa Fe Trail School for the Performing Arts' Summer Repertory Season, is a student at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado
The Shuler’s Kaleidoscope Players close their professional season with the mystery “Web of Murder” tonight and Friday night, then “Church Basement Ladies” Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
At The Shuler Theater, Call 575-445-4746 for ticket information.
McFadden’s website is http://McFaddenmcfadden.yolasite.com/
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Story & Photo by Christina Boyce
KRTN Multi-media
Holli McFadden has completed her first professional contract as costume designer for the Santa Fe Trail School for the Performing Arts' Summer Repertory Season. McFadden is a student at Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado. Her costume design brought a new level of professionalism to the productions of Santa Fe School for the Performing Arts’ Kaleidoscope Players.
Curious to know more about this new aspect of the company’s evolution, I spoke with McFadden about the job and her career aspirations.
Designing costumes for four shows that run in repertory is no small feat. A student of theater at Adams State College in Alamosa Colorado, McFadden has done an admirable job in her first paid job as a costume designer.
McFadden grew up in Northglenn, Colorado. Her family supported her interest in the theater though her siblings were mostly interested in sports. Her mom made her take sewing classes in 4-H, and McFadden admits that she hated it. Later, in high school drama classes, she found herself interested in the back-stage aspects of theater, finding her way into costuming. She credits Joy, the “costume lady” and a volunteer at her high school, with teaching her “a lot about myself and the kind of career I could have in the industry”. The mentorship she received from Joy led McFadden to decide to pursue a degree in the theater.
After completing high school she enrolled in Casper College in Wyoming, completing a two-year program and then transferred to Adams State College to work on a Bachelor of Theatre degree. Last February, when Gail Dixon-Willden, Bill Fegan and TJ Mendez came to ASU to scout talent for the 2012 Summer Season, McFadden made an impression and landed the job as costume designer for Santa Fe School for the Performing Arts.
McFadden began working on the shows in the spring, reading the scripts and meeting with both directors, Mendez and Dixon-Willden, about their ideas for the shows. She came to Raton in March to get a sense of what resources were available here in Raton. This advance work afforded her the ability to pull items from the costume collection at Adams State College she would not be able to find in Raton. Arriving late May in Raton, with her costume box, McFadden met again with her directors and began to pull costumes for “Unnecessary Farce” and “Church Basement Ladies”. A trip to a costume shop in Pueblo landed the bunny costume for “Church Basement Ladies”. Well into the production season, and after more meetings with directors and pulling from the costume collection of SFTSPA, it became clear to McFadden that she would have to build much of “Servant of Two Masters”. Two local volunteers who had stepped up to the plate, Molly Freeman and Maryanne Dailey, were invaluable to her, assisting her on all four shows. The final show of the season, “Web of Murder” was pulled from the collection of SFTSPA; alterations and reconstructions brought the design concepts together and are a huge part of why the shows looked so good.
McFadden is winding down, now that all the shows are up, cleaning up the costume shop and replacing items in the costume collection. She has to restore order to SFTSPA’s storage and build spaces before her contract ends after the final performance and tear down of the last show of the season, “Church Basement Ladies”. I asked her what her favorite part of costuming was. She replied, “Seeing the final product on the stage”. She is interested in pursuing creative costuming looking to Cirque de Soleil or perhaps “horror-burlesque”; the attraction of having “no restrictions” inspires her creative muse.
McFadden will graduate in May of 2013 and hopes to find costuming work in a larger city, maybe Denver, where she can get her “feet wet before I hit the ground running.” She dreams of having name recognition in her field, but not in the usual name up in lights kind of dream one so often hears from young people. She wants to do good work and be respected in her field.
Given the look of her work on the Shuler stage, McFadden is on her way. Remember the name, you’ll be able to say you saw her first professional work right here, in Raton New Mexico.
McFadden’s costumes can be seen one last time, this weekend at The Shuler, as the Shuler’s Kaleidoscope Players close their professional season with the mystery “Web of Murder” tonight and Friday night, then “Church Basement Ladies” Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
At The Shuler Theater Call 575-445-4746 for ticket information.
Holli McFadden’s website is http://McFaddenmcfadden.yolasite.com/ |
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