Photo courtesy of Kate Acquaviva.
In 2009, they were the new kid in town, the Phantom Theatre Company, and they boldly dove into an already crowded pool of Harrisburg theatrical options—Theatre Harrisburg, Gamut Theatre, Open Stage of Harrisburg and others on the west side of the river.
Around the same time, other groups popped up, too, and many came and went, but Phantom hung on. After several years of thinking they had their own building then losing it because of zoning changes, it survived. And, while it’s currently without a permanent home, Phantom is making its own kind of music—from pop opera to an upcoming production of “West Side Story.”
“We felt there was a gap to be filled for more current, edgy shows and the audiences they draw,” said Wendi Dobson, president of Phantom’s board of directors. “We wanted to offer more to the community, including workshops, cabarets and full productions, particularly some of the more contemporary, thought-provoking shows that aren’t often seen in this area.”
Years ago, the theater’s schedule started with “Bare: A Pop Opera,” and a bunch of creative types and theater-lovers came out to lend a hand to make this area premiere a reality. The production was so successful, said Dobson, that Phantom was able to donate 20 percent of tickets sales to the Trevor Project, a crisis intervention organization for young people.
“We are very community-oriented and make an effort to give back and support other organizations, as well,” Dobson said. “In the past, our shows have benefitted Toys for Tots and Homeward Bound Animal Rescue.”
Phantom currently does more family or mainstage productions, which include adults and school-aged children. It also does youth productions—like “Honk! Jr.” and “Godspell Jr.”—so kids with stars in their eyes can get a chance to tread the boards and see what it’s like to perform. Both were successful productions, but Phantom wanted to up the ante.
So, in February, Phantom was the first area theater to present “Heathers the Musical” at Gullifty’s Underground, and, last month, hosted the Macaulay Triplets, a singing group from New York. In July, they’ll stage their big summer production, “West Side Story,” with auditions this month. Then, in August, there will be a student internship production of the play, “Punk Rock,” and, in December, a “Classic Crooners” cabaret.
“We often will offer students an opportunity to assist with directing, stage managing, set design or other areas they are interested in learning,” Dobson said. “We are always looking for college students who wish to build their experience not only in theater, but in areas such as marketing, website design, fundraising and public relations.”
The Very Best
Dobson had a love of theater as a young girl and, she admits, an obsession with Broadway shows, in particular.
Drama club fueled that interest, as did her years of dance, voice and both professional and community theater experiences. But the real fire sparked when her two daughters became involved in the local theater scene. Dobson put in her time painting sets, running concessions, ushering, costumes, make-up, helping backstage, assisting directors and wrangling child actors.
“This is also how I met most of the other people who are involved with Phantom, including co-founder Melinda Lafferty,” Dobson recalled. “We have surrounded ourselves with and learned from some of the very best theater people around. All of our board members have connections to the performing arts, and we all share a passion for bringing shows to life.”
Though a phantom lacks physical structure, this company has been on a quest to establish a solid, brick-and-mortar presence, a feat that takes money and patience. To build its dream theater, Phantom will be embarking on a capital campaign. Until that day, it will have to make do by producing shows in various venues on the east and west shores.
“Our goal, once we have a home, is to provide more educational opportunities, such as workshops, summer camps and internships and to produce a full season of musicals, plays, special events, cabarets, youth theater and much more,” Dobson said.
Dobson has put her heart and soul into this company and hopes that the theater’s mantra, “Dare, Discover, Dream,” will be shared by its audiences now and into the future.
“I want everyone to leave our performances taking a piece of it with them,” she said, “whether it is a favorite show tune stuck in their head, a really funny, laugh-out-loud scene, a poignant moment, or a thought-provoking message that inspires them to make a difference.”
To learn more about Phantom Theatre Company, visit www.phantomtheatrecompany.org.
