As I stood on the back steps watching a pink streak across the sky from a lovely sunset while listening to a band do its sound checks, I wondered what the Ned Smith Center’s namesake would have thought of this amphitheater.
Would Smith, a talented artist and writer, be happy with just wooden benches and a concrete slab? Or would he prefer a state-of-the-art stage, sound system, lighting, stadium seating and dressing rooms?
The DeSoto Amphitheater for the Performing Arts actually falls between these two extremes.
“The idea for an amphitheater was part of the original conceptual dream for the center building itself,” Executive Director John Booth said. “The Ned Smith Center opened in 2004, but the amphitheater was yet to be started. Frankly, the two biggest challenges were funding and design.”
It was not an easy path, requiring years of planning, scaling up and down, fundraising and final design and construction. However, the amphitheater finally opened to its first performance in 2014.
“Throughout this long cycle, we continued to believe this was yet another opportunity to merge the arts with the natural world and foster a celebration of both,” Booth said. “On the amphitheater stage, performers can share their talent in an outdoor environment, bringing together the values of art, nature and conservation.”
With several years now under their belts, amphitheater staff looks forward to an exciting 2017 season, Booth said.
“It’s ambitious to say the least,” he said. “We have scheduled 10 different performances, ranging from the Pennsylvania Regional Ballet to an Irish rock band.”
The music kicks off on June 3, as Lester Hirsh, a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, guitarist and all-around troubadour, arrives. Performing on Spanish six-string and acoustic 12-string guitars, his style ranges from classical, country and folk to Brazilian jazz and flamenco.
On June 17, children’s performer Jim Rule will feature songs and stories ranging from toe-tapping tunes to inspirational anthems. Local favorites, the Ryan Alan Band, will stop by on June 24 with a country-infused rock sound.
The concerts will continue through September, with the season wrapping up on Oct. 14 with the annual Fall Family Fun Day. This event is designed to increase awareness of the natural world and will include a live animal presentation at the amphitheater.
Plenty to Do
For much of the summer, Gamut Theatre will conduct a summer theater camp at Ned Smith, extending their work into this rural community.
Through eight sessions over four weeks, students will study theater, acting and voice. Students and guest artists also will work on a play for presentation.
The camp culminates on July 21 and 22, when the young participants will perform the play they rehearsed over the course of the camp. The play will be presented at the amphitheater just prior to “Romeo and Juliet,” Gamut’s selection for its “Shakespeare in the Woods” program.
“Gamut’s executive director, Melissa Nicholson, has played an integral part in the planning of this project from the very start,” said Sue Frederick, the center’s grants coordinator. “Gamut’s troupe will donate additional time to develop lesson plans, write the script and consult on the evaluation and assessment of the project.”
Whether going to see professional artists or your own kids perform, attendees should arrive early, Booth said.
“There is plenty to do before a performance,” she said. “The center sits on 535 acres of prime forestland located on and around Berry’s Mountain. There are over 12 miles of hiking trails, a picnic grove, fishing opportunities and bird feeding stations.”
You also can visit the three galleries at the center. In the Olewine Gallery, “Wild America,” the Roger Tory Peterson exhibit, will be on display through Aug. 27. In the Romberger Gallery, Rich Metzger will host a woodcarving exhibit until July 4, and the always-popular “Youth Art Contest” winners will follow from July 4 to Oct. 1. As always, the Ned Smith Gallery has a display of his original art.
This year, Armstrong Valley Winery will offer tastings and sales at a number of shows.
So, stretch your legs and hike the trails Ned Smith walked, go fishing in his beloved Wiconisco Creek, and bring along a picnic lunch to enjoy. You might even be inspired, like Smith, to jot down field notes or sketches chronicling your visit.
Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art is located at 176 Water Company Rd., Millersburg. For more information, visit www.nedsmithcenter.org.
Author: Don Helin
