By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
Angelina Doyle, the Executive Director of New Bern Civic Theatre, has been dedicating her life to the arts since 2006. She creates productions that encourage audiences to “grow, learn, and engage” and believes that theatre is a way to create “non-invasive social change” in our community. Through storytelling, audiences are able to emotionally connect with characters that are seemingly unlike themselves, to walk in their shoes, and emerge with a better understanding of life’s struggles and our universal humanity. “It’s our job to tell the story, but it is important that the audience interprets the information and forms their own opinions, in their own way. If we approach theatre this way, then we need not be afraid to stage controversial issues, and engage in provocative conversations.”
Doyle speaks eloquently and passionately about the theatre, but interestingly, it wasn’t her first calling. Before joining up with the civic, Doyle was a logistics specialist in the United States Marine Corps. When she left to raise a family, she found herself seeking a new purpose, and auditioned for the civic theatre in 2006, and that was when she caught the theatre bug and began her metamorphosis.
“I was broken when I first came to the civic, but there I found a community of people, and some of them were broken and trapped, too, and we became a family. Many people from all walks of life gravitate to the civic and think of it as their home. We aren’t meant to be singular, one-dimensional people and we don’t need labels. We are capable of personal growth and change. The theatre is a place where we come together. It’s not Broadway, but we put on great shows. We transform ourselves and it changes us forever. What truly matters most is that the process of creating is more important than the product. This theatre is made of members of our community, volunteers and patrons and they are the life-blood of our work.”
When hurricane Irene and Florence hit New Bern, Doyle remembers the destruction, and that many of the actors, crew and patrons sustained significant damage to their homes, but still she recalls getting call after call from individuals in the community asking, “Is the theatre ok? What can I do to help?” One former actor called and said, “My home is completely flooded…but thank god I saved my costumes.” Doyle shakes her head in dismay. “They were just as concerned about their theatre home as their own homes. To me, that tells the whole story. The community dedication to our theatre is astounding.”
And now New Bern Civic Theatre needs help.
They are scrambling to repair the heating system, update the bathrooms for ADA compliance, and resolve water damage issues in backstage areas.
“We again are seeking support from our community for financial donations to help us get back up and running, and to make their experience more pleasurable with improved facilities,” says Doyle. “We are applying for grants—but it isn’t enough to cover the urgently needed repairs, as well as our desire to build a new stage with an orchestra pit. We need the quality of our shows to match the quality of our space for the audiences. It’s time for yet another transformation.”
If you have enjoyed past performances at NBCT and want to be a part of the transformation, please visit NBCT website at newberncivictheatre.org or call the main office directly at 252.634.9057.
The theatre again opens its doors with a light-hearted season beginning with “Greater Tuna” on May 14th. Actors Neil Oliver and Tyler Griffin play all of the twenty characters in the play and are sure to keep the audience laughing for hours! For tickets to “Greater Tuna” contact the box office at 252.633.0567.
