The Pine Tree Players – The First Season

 

In May 1972, Fairfield County’s newly appointed Recreation Director, Jim Bull, told the regular meeting of the Rotary Club of his plans to provide a variety of recreation activities to the community.  Theatre was listed as a possible activity for the community.  Following his talk to Rotary, Jim received a note listing the names of Judi Purcell and Charlie Beach as possible contacts to establish the theatre.

 

It was several months later that Jim acted on the idea of establishing a theatre.  Beginning in early September 1972, he began an interest “feeler” in the News & Herald that a meeting would be held at the Mt. Zion Auditorium on September 20 to organize A Little Theatre Group.  So if the Pine Tree Players had a birth, the credit for providing a growth medium should belong to Jim Bull and the Fairfield Recreation Commission.

 

At the organizational meeting on September 20^th, Jim arranged for a representative of the SC Arts Commission to attend and discuss theatre and its formation.  Attending the first meeting were:  Rock and Ed Calkins, Jim and Susan Bull, Dobbie Burners, Carolyn and Bob Fickling, Eleanor Milling, Judi and Harry Purcell, Crosby Rice and Tina Fuller – an even dozen.

 

The next step was to get the kind of professional guidance that was needed to establish a truly functional “little theatre” in Winnsboro.  Jim Bull and Crosby Rice met with the SC Arts Commission to establish a constitution and by-laws and made necessary plans for further organization.

 

The next major event was a general public meeting which was held on October 10 at which the constitution was adopted.  In addition the 1972-73 officers and board of directors were elected:  Bob Fickling, President; F.H. Purcell, Jr., Vice President; Eleanor Milling, Secretary; Bill Lyles, Treasurer;  Board Members – Crosby Rice, Barbara Harmon, Judi Purcell, Mary K. Whitner and Jim Bull (permanent member).  It was also at this meeting of approximately 50 people that the name Pine Tree Players was adopted.

 

Against the better judgment of the SC Arts Commission, the Pine Tree Players Board met on October 18^th and proceeded to build toward the first production in January – a mere two months away.  With the blessing of not knowing the production date couldn’t be met, the Pine Tree Players went to work.  In early November, the play “Little Scandal” was selected and try-outs were held.

 

Crosby Rice plunged into the director’s job like a real pro and created an excellent cast of actors.  Harry Purcell and Richard Mattox, with the help of Uniroyal and other local businesses, built the lighting and sound system.  James Jones applied his carpenter skills to building the set – a job he took on almost singled-handed.  Other theatre helpers were commandeered wherever they could be found for such activities as locating props and costumes, memberships, make-up and publicity.  The response was great.  Pauline Patrick twisted Winnsboro’s arm to buy tickets; Ann McDaniel took over make-up; Perry Anne Renwick gathered costumes; Patricia Scarry ran the stage; Cookie Grant found props; Becky Calkins moved in on The News & Herald and WCKM for publicity; and Judi Montgomery planned for hospitality and fixed theatre seats in the Mt. Zion Auditorium as time drew near.

 

There is no way to compute the man hours, but there is no doubt the Pine Tree Players did the impossible by successfully producing “Little Scandal” on January 18 – 20, 1973.  Even with the leading lady sick in bed for the final show, Vicky Robinson rose to the occasion from Technical Director to make “the show go on.”

 

The Pine Tree Players followed on success with another and produced “Don’t Drink the Water” on April 12 – 14, 1973 which concluded the season.