What happened to live theater in downtown Canton? No Players Guild, but the show goes on

Carrie Alexander Spina sat in the lobby at the Cultural Center for the Arts, gesturing and spreading her arms excitedly while explaining the significance of the site for local theater.

Alexander Spina, executive director of New Direction Performing Arts Academy, made her points with the passion and verve of a stage performer, and smacked her hands together for emphasis.

She was clearly energized and inspired after leading the youth theater group through a rehearsal of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

The Cultural Center by way of the Players Guild Theatre is where she first learned the thrill of performing on stage in the '90s with a role in "A Christmas Carol."

But to the surprise and dismay of many in the theater community, the Players Guild left the Cultural Center in 2022, relocating to Kent State University at Stark. That left a void for live theatre in downtown Canton, but also created an opportunity for groups like New Direction.

"Nothing would hurt me more than nothing going on in this space," Alexander Spina said of the Cultural Center theaters. "I'm glad it's being used for the community. It will never be the same because the Players Guild Theatre was a force to be reckoned with, but it looks like it's going to be used."

"There shouldn't be a time when this stage is dark when they can rent that out to the community now," she said. "And that's exciting. This is a special theater; it has so many memories for people young and old, and it's continuing to grow."

While there isn't a resident theatre company like the Players Guild, ArtsinStark has decided to diversify the uses of the large and smaller theater spaces, from high school productions to comedians to the recent Greater Stark County Urban League event featuring Grammy-nominated singer and Tony Award-winning Broadway actress Melba Moore.

Changes also have included the disbanding of Avenue Arts, a smaller theater group that was temporarily based at Fry Theater at the Cultural Center.

Legend comes to Canton Grammy-nominated singer, Broadway actor Melba Moore performing at Stark Urban League event

But it hasn't meant doom and gloom for the Stark County theatre scene, according to those familiar with it.

Maureen Ater, the new CEO of ArtsinStark, which oversees the Cultural Center, said stage productions will remain part of the mix.

"We're open to all types of events, and that includes live theatre," she said. "I think what we're not is just a theater where only live theatre can happen.

"This has only been a short period of time where we've had the opportunity to offer this space. So I think we're still exploring and finding out what opportunities are out there."

The show goes on for Players Guild

The Players Guild, meanwhile, has settled in at its new campus home, regularly staging productions such as "Beauty and the Beast" this past May and "Jekyll & Hyde" this weekend and Sept. 13-15.

For more information and to purchase tickets for "Jekyll & Hyde," go to https://playersguildtheatre.com. The box office also can be reached at 330-244-3224 and via email at [email protected].

"I think the move to the university has been a really good one for us," said Joshua Erichsen, longtime producing artistic director of the Players Guild. "It's not without its challenges, of course ? getting acquainted with a new space. It's a different space from where we were for 50 years."

"But I think there is still some confusion about the Players Guild. We still exist. We're still working on getting the word out on how we moved to another location. We didn't fold. We didn't go under."

New home, more shows Players Guild move to KSU Stark opens with 'Million Dollar Quartet' and jukebox musical

Many fans of local theater have wondered why the Players Guild left the Cultural Center.

Following the pandemic and funding cuts, ArtsinStark desired to reinvent the space and offer theater rentals, with the goal of having events on stage every weekend throughout the year, Erichsen explained.

"We felt we couldn't operate as intended without negatively affecting our business model. I don't think that for both the Guild or ArtsinStark, our moving from the Cultural Center was the first choice, but in the end, we saw an opportunity to enhance our organization by working with KSU Stark, with the goal of expanding opportunities for students while enhancing our productions on campus."

Erichsen will be leaving Players Guild position

While there's still some lingering effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, Players Guild Theatre has been doing well overall in its new space, Erichsen said.

Attendance has been down about 25% compared to pre-pandemic levels, he said. Attendance continues to rise, however, he noted.

Some shows have sold out, including "Elf the Musical" in November 2023. Another popular show was "Junie B. Jones The Musical."

Erichsen praised Dean Denise A. Seachrist and the faculty at Kent Stark for their support.

"I think there's probably some mixed feelings about us moving for some folks," he said. "And I understand that completely. I think some folks were disappointed by that move because of the long tradition of being in that (Cultural Center) space for that many years. I understand that. That certainly wasn't an easy decision for us ... but for us it just seemed like the move we wanted to make for our future."

New theatergoers have discovered the Jackson Township location, but efforts are still being made to boost attendance, he said.

"I truly believe our audience will come through, and will do so in time to keep us open and operating," Erichsen said. "This coming season will be our 92nd, and I truly hope to see the Guild celebrate their 100th season."

Erichsen has served as artistic director at the Players Guild for 18 years, a position he plans to vacate after the 2024-25 season.

"I have had the great honor of working with the organization that ignited my passion for theatre," he said. "But for me, I believe the time has come to pass the torch to the next generation of artists. I intend to work through the coming 24-25 season, and assist in any way I can with the transition.

"While it is certainly bittersweet, I know I will forever be in some way connected to the Guild. You can be sure I will be sitting in the house as an audience member, continuing to support this amazing institution."

Life after the Players Guild for Cultural Center

Plans to rent out and use the Cultural Center theater spaces for mixed purposes began when David Whitehill was CEO of ArtsinStark.

Ater, who succeeded Whitehill as CEO earlier this year, inherited the new approach, which hasn't changed.

"I think we are open to a wide (variety) of opportunities," she said. "We've seen comedians, we've seen fashion shows, we've seen panelists."

"At this point in time, I think our goal is really to drive live events," Ater added. "Versatility is key, and I think that's where we're at, and we need to explore the different ways we can use this theater."

The Cultural Center's Main Stage seats 416 people. W.G. Fry Theater seats 139.

Storytelling on stage 'Prayers of a Mother.' Canton woman's play explores missing son's mental health struggles

Upcoming shows include the play "Prayers of a Mother" at 7 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m. To learn more about the play, go to https://culturalcenterforthearts.com/theater/.

The independent production is by LaKeisha Davis, who wrote and is producing the play. She is trying to raise awareness of the mental health crisis in the country from a Christian perspective, said Ater.

For tickets to "Prayers of a Mother," text Davis at 330-312-7886.

'This is a magical space.'

When ArtsinStark asked Alexander Spina to use the Cultural Center theater space for New Direction Performing Arts Academy, she said "my heartstrings were pulled because of the history I had here, and I wanted to help keep theater alive here in downtown Canton."

"Annie" was New Direction's first production at the Cultural Center in the wake of the Players Guild's departure. The show was presented in November 2022, with all six shows selling out. The theatre group also staged "The Spongebob Musical" last summer.

New Direction previously staged productions at Umstattd Hall at McKinley High School.

"I knew I was coming into some space that needed some love," said Alexander Spina, who is the theatre advisor and director for Tuscarawas Valley Schools. "And it's getting that love.

"It was definitely surreal, and it was full circle," she said of New Direction's Cultural Center shows. "And it gave me hope for the future to what New Direction could be in this space.

"And I hope other schools and theaters use this because this is a magical space."

The Players Guild move: 'There was a lot of shock.'

Actor Jordan Potter, 29, takes his talents wherever there's a show, inside and outside Stark County. He's performed with the Players Guild, the former Avenue Arts, Stardust Dinner Theatre, Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood, The Brecksville Theatre, Broadview Heights Spotlights, and with other groups.

Despite the changes downtown, there's still ample opportunities both for actors and audiences throughout Stark County, he said, including Carnation City Players in Alliance and the youth-oriented North Canton Playhouse.

"It was very easy to tell how ingrained (the Players Guild was downtown) and how people felt about it being there," Potter said. "There was a lot of shock. People seemed to love that space; it was iconic to the Players Guild, and they've done well, too, with the move to Kent Stark, and they're producing good stuff out there, but it's been different (without the Players Guild) downtown.

"Now that it's not directly downtown, people who are used to going there may have to look a little harder for it, but I think there's still a lot of good work being done in a lot of places," he added.

Variety in the local theatre scene is a good thing, Erichsen said.

"I don't think there's too much theatre and too much entertainment for the county," he said. "I think there are plenty of people in the county for the number of venues that we have, and I think healthy competition is a good thing; it keeps us all pushing towards a better experience and a better product for the audience and the performers. I think the more theaters and culture is a better thing than less."

Avenue Arts disbands

There is one less theatrical outlet these days, however.

After relocating to the Cultural Center from another downtown location, Avenue Arts has ceased productions. Shows at Fry Theater included "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

"Avenue Arts has indeed been a player in downtown Canton's theater scene, striving to inspire and engage audiences with diverse and thought-provoking performances," said David Lee, who served as the company's producing artistic director.

Founded in 2017, the theater was dedicated to promoting creativity and inclusion in Northeast Ohio, he noted.

To accommodate growing programs, Avenue Arts moved to the Cultural Center.

Productions extended beyond Canton, Lee said, including participation at the National Performing Arts Festival.

Ending Avenue Arts was "a natural progression tied to organizational changes," he explained.

"As I've transitioned from (leaving employment with ArtsinStark), Avenue Arts faced shifts as well," he said. "While it's bittersweet, I'm optimistic about the future of arts and theatre in Stark County. With new leadership at ArtsinStark, I look forward to seeing the continued growth and innovation of not just theatre but also all arts in Stark County."

'Live theater has to continue'

Continuing local theater is a vital part of Stark County's performing arts scene, said Potter, Erichsen and Alexander Spina.

"Theater has the power to engage an audience with new ideas, transport them to other places, introduce them to new worlds and other people all within a couple of hours in a darkened room," said Erichsen, who was introduced to theatre when he was 8 years old and performed in the Players Guild production of "A Christmas Carol."

"And when we as an audience are drawn into a story, albeit by actors on a stage, we can find that our ideas and opinions might be challenged, and if the job is done well, expanded," he added. "I believe that has such value for our community."

Alexander Spina was positively influenced and mentored by Erichsen.

"My first experience was a field trip to the Canton Palace Theatre," she recalled. "And I saw theater for the first time live, and I knew in my little heart that's what I wanted to do.

"It wasn't a movie, it wasn't TV ... it was the live experience. The energy you get from actors being on stage with the sets and lights, it's irreplaceable. Live theater has to continue."

Potter said there's nothing like it.

"When you see a show in live theatre, you're never going to the same show twice," he said. "There will be something maybe slightly different this run than the last run and with different actors. You get to experience this fleeting moment with people in your community on the stage. I think it's a really awesome experience for everyone to have."

If you go

What ? "Jekyll & Hyde"

Where ? Players Guild Theatre at Kent State University at Stark, in the Mary J. Timken Theatre, 6000 Frank Ave. NW.

When ? Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Sept. 13-15. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets ? $25 to $45. Purchase online at https://playersguildtheatre.com/ or contact the box office at 330-244-3224.

Reach Ed at [email protected]. On X (formerly Twitter) @ebalintREP and Instagram at ed_balint.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton theater scene changes after Players Guild moves to KSU Stark