Lexington, KY - In an act worthy of the legend of the Phoenix, Actors Guild of Lexington is rising from the ashes of recent troubled times and is the latest recipient of a $5,000 grant from LexArts.
"We are so pleased. LexArts reaching out like this is wonderful and a big support. It is a real reaffirmation of their faith in us. This grant is very generous and appreciated," said Jim Gleason, board president for Actors Guild. "We are working hard at AGL, and it is great that LexArts gave us this recognition. People look to LexArts as the leader in the arts community here in Lexington, so it means a lot."
The theater company recently moved from the Downtown Arts Center to a new location on Old Harrodsburg Road.
"Actors Guild has gone through a couple of tough years. That time has also taught us a lot and brought us to some very good things," said Gleason. "We moved from downtown and have a new space that has enabled us to reach a new audience and bring theater to the suburbs. It was a little risky, but we are very happy with the positive response. Leaving downtown was hard, but our move has taught us that people also like theater where they are. The area around our new location, our neighborhood, has been very supportive."
The long-time Lexington theater group has completed its first full season, 10 shows, in its new location. The group has received positive feedback and remains excited going forward.
"Having our own space gives us flexibility in our schedule, since we don't have to share the space and compete for access. We can now plan and schedule as we need," added Gleason. "After our move, AGL maintained much of our original audience, and we feel we have now grown our audience even more."
Actors Guild has a 28-year history in Lexington. In that time, the organization has weathered ups and downs, and two years ago required some restructuring. Rebuilding has been a big challenge, but one that Eric Seale, artistic director of Actors Guild, was willing to take on.
Seale has been with the theater company for several years but is new in the position of artistic director.
"We have so much positive going on, and this grant will enable us to take it to the next level," Seale said. "Our renewed relationship with LexArts and their vote of confidence is important. They looked at what we are doing and wanted to support that work. It's pretty fantastic."
"They have really turned things around," said Jim Clark, president and CEO of LexArts. "Our board of directors and grants committee elected to make this grant to support their progress in terms of financial management, rebuilding their organization and expanding their audience. We're impressed with their entrepreneurial spirit and tenacity."
Both Seale and Gleason, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Eastern Kentucky University and a founder of the popular Lexington band The Johnson Brothers, are feeling positive and looking toward the future.
"This is a really good time for theater in Lexington," Gleason said. "There's a lot of creative energy in this community and strong, talented actors, directors, set designers and others making some great work."
"Now, with all the diverse groups, Lexington's Children's Theatre and Project See and many other fine theater groups, there is so much to see and enjoy. Any time you have this many choices in live performing arts, it is very good," he said.
Seale agreed. "We look forward to new initiatives and partnerships in this vibrant theater community that exists in Lexington and the region," he said.
The financial support from LexArts is a welcome surprise, and both Gleason and Seale are raring to go.
"We can use this money to buy better scripts, create more elaborate sets, pay actors better and just bring better theater in general to Lexington," explained Gleason. "This gives us an opportunity to develop new partnerships with Kentucky theater professionals and others in other states and bring new theater to Lexington," added Seale. "We will be announcing our new season soon and some exciting plans we are working on for developing a new play with a local playwright."
A boost for local theater and the arts in Lexington isn't just an art story. "This improves the community in many ways and has a very positive ripple effect. People come and stay in Lexington for the quality of life and quality of the arts. It's an economic development thing," said Gleason. "Many flourishing cities have made the connection between a culturally rich art community and economic development and have made a direct effort to brand themselves as artistic communities, and those cities attract businesses, medical professionals, technology professionals, as well as art lovers. Their support for their art community is easy because they see the value. These places make a concerted effort to create and support their art community, and in Lexington we are doing that, and it is paying off," Gleason said. "It separates the special cities from the wannabes."
Seale said he hopes the Lexington audience will stay tuned.
"We are about to bring our 29th season. We have some great things in the works. There's a lot of big news developing for Actors Guild, and we can't wait to share it," he said.
Actors Guild of Lexington is located at 4383 Old Harrodsburg Road. To learn more about Actors Guild of Lexington and to see their performance schedule, check out their website, actors-guild.org, or give them a call at (859)309-1909.