After 25 Performances, the MCT is a Living Monument ~ Under a Master Gardner’s Care.
"Once on This Island"
If Kathleen Bryant, founder and Artistic Director of the Madison Community Theater (MCT) gets poked in the middle of the night these days, it’s probably her husband Troy. But back in 2002, there were a few nudges toward a dream of a children’s theater group.
Recently, the MCT completed their 25th production, “Once on This Island.” Last week, I asked Kathleen if she thought 25 performances ago that the group would have come this far. Shaking her head, Bryant explained it was never her intention to start a community theater. Her original inspiration came from attending a large Methodist church in Louisville, Kentucky that held a children’s music camp and put on a musical each summer.
“I thought — I’m going to do this in Madison.”
The very first performance, the acorn, was the “Tale of Three Trees” at the Madison FUMC. Now the MCT has a full season of shows with productions held in the Morgan County High School auditorium. There is a play in the fall, big musical in winter, then a July theater camp, and sometimes a summer production in June.
Coming to her role as Artistic Director of the MCT as a performer, Kathleen teaches drama at the middle school. This school year, she received the honor as Morgan County system-wide Teacher of the Year. If that isn’t enough, she is an internationally-recognized vocalist.
When she sings in church, I cry. She’s that kind of good.
Growing up in Moultrie, she enjoyed the benefits of a very developed Cultural and Fine Arts program, but it was only open high school students. Bryant wanted to design a program that included younger children.
“It’s not about becoming a star; it’s about personal growth on stage. Building something that is maybe bigger than something they could do by themselves.”
MCHS senior Emily DeJarnett has been a part, either on stage or helping with production, of every MCT show. “I look back at my community theater experiences as some of the best moments growing up in Madison.”
DeJarnett pointed out the imagery of the tree is a thread woven through the first and 25th MCT productions. “The first play was ‘The Tale of Three Trees;’ then on stage during ‘Once on This Island,’ the cast formed a tree three different times. There’s definitely some cool symbolism in that.”
A tree grows imperceptibly. It weathers storms, overzealous pruners and needs rain to flourish. But what starts as a small nudge, planted in the right soil under the tender care of a master gardener can grow into a living monument. Its strong boughs filled with children’s laughter as they climb higher and higher. Having so much fun, they never realize how far they have come skyward. Bryant planted something grand in Madison and has overseen thriving growth. With continued support from our community, the MCT will flourish for years to come.
For information about MCT summer camp and other activities go to their web site www.mct.org.
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