Ten years ago, a group of Watonga Community Theatre board members brainstormed about some ways to give back to our community. Kim Coney suggested “why don’t we try to do something with toys?” After a meeting with Blaine County DHS, the Annual Toy Drive was formed.
The Christmas show and toy drive created a great opportunity for the theater to open its doors to a new audience, actors and even writers. The shows have typically been short comedies that require fewer rehearsals with large casts.
“I have enjoyed seeing many new faces grace the WCT stage during our Christmas Toy drive shows,” said Marie Tech, WCT President. “It has also been fun decorating the stage with so much Christmas decorations!”
Last year, Amy Adams became the first WCT board member to become a playwright when she wrote a Christmas play called Shenanigans at the North Pole. It is a story about Elfira, a cunning, conniving downright devious, slippery, slimy, lowdown sneaky elf. Patt Ward Curtin inspired and then directed the show, while Amy stared as Elfira. Watonga loved the play. By popular demand a sequel was written. Shenanigans at the North Pole, Elfira Rides Again will show this weekend. For the second time in WCT history, the playwright is one of our own.
“I’m super excited and honored to have such a large cast from our community involved, Adams said. “It’s exciting to see your words come off the page. Each person has put their own spin on the characters, and it is even bigger than I imagined.”
Kim Coney, Taylor Coney and Amy Adams teamed up to direct Elfira Rides Again, and they are all three appearing on the stage. “We have a very large cast, who have worked diligently to make this debut performance extra special,” Adams said. “There will be some surprise faces from the community and several newcomers.”
WCT presented a show with every toy drive for the last ten years, apart from 2020. The toy drive still took place that year with the help of Darla Brooks and other board members. Brooks set up outside different businesses collecting toys.
The toys donated during the toy drive stay in Blaine County. They are used each year during the Christmas party for DHS foster children. DHS also uses any monetary donations made to purchase additional items needed.
“The toy drive has created a great avenue for local donations,” Tech said. “We have enjoyed working with Blaine County DHS to help their Christmas be a success. We are so thankful to our community for all the donations, and to the cast and crew for helping make this a success for the past ten years!”
Shenanigans at the North Pole, Elfira Rides Again can be seen at 6:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 3; at 2 p.m. Sun., Dec. 4; or at 6:30 p.m. Mon., Dec. 5. Please bring an unwrapped toy for admission. We also encourage you to call the box offices 580-623-9666 for reservations at one of the following times 4 – 7 p.m. Dec. 1 (members only), 4 – 6 p.m. Dec. 2, 5 – 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3, 1-2 p.m. Dec. 4, or5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 5.