Published: March 15, 2009 12:37 am         

It’s show time

Residents proud of community theater offering

WATONGA — Residents here are proud of their community theater. It provides, fun, enrichment, entertainment and culture in the small town.

What some don’t know is the first show took place before the theater was converted into a stage theater 20 years ago.

Twenty-five years ago, Patt Ward Curtin, first woman president of Watonga Cham-ber of Commerce, along with other Chamber and community members, put on a play for the town of Watonga.

“From there, we decided to organize a community theater,” said Curtin. “For the first five years, we performed at the junior high.”

It was then the town’s movie theater closed, and the owner donated Liberty Theatre to the city of Watonga.

After a visit from a theater advisory group and some presentations before the chamber, the city council decided the theater could be used by Watonga Com-munity Theater.

Curtin said the state Legislature was able to secure $40,000 for the renovation of the theater into a stage theater.

“So we had a building empty and $40,000,” said Curtin. “Something had to happen.”

The renovations began, and several people, including those in a carpentry class, pitched in.

“It took us about 13 months to renovate the theater,” said Curtin.

But it was worth it.

“I’ve directed all over Oklahoma,” she said. “This probably is the most accommodating, up-to-date space anywhere really.”

Curtin has remained with Watonga Community Theater since the beginning, and she and the theater members take care of the theater themselves.

“We clean it, we organize it,” said Curtin.

Watonga has a population of about 2,800, said Curtin, and having a theater, successful for 25 years, in such a small town is an accomplishment.

“We’re a really tiny, rural town,” said Curtin. “So if you’re going to have any kind of entertainment or highbrow activity or culture, we provide it.”

“There really aren’t that many small towns that have a community theater,” said Curtin.

Not only does Watonga have a community theater it has a well-known community theater.

The theater has won state and five-state regional competitions and has competed on a national level, “where only 10 theaters are invited to compete,” said Curtin.

At the national festival, three of Watonga Commun-ity Theater members — George Ann Bordelon, Karen Gilliland and Nadine Pearson — were named to the national all-star cast.

The community theater also has been invited to compete on an international level.

Because Watonga High School does not have a theater department, high school students interested in drama or theater productions can join the community theater.

Watonga Community Theater also gives a theater scholarship to Southwestern Oklahoma State University in nearby Weatherford, said Curtin.

After 25 years, Watonga Community Theater re-mains popular locally, but they aren’t the only ones who like to see a good show at Watonga.

“We have a pretty good out-of-town following,” said Curtin.