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bv Jack J. Chirlli CAPE MAY - Performing arts for the community of South Jersey by the community of South Jersey ' /this is the goal of Peter Vernon, executive director of the Jersey Cape Performing Arts Guild I When the old Cape May .Playhouse closed in the winter of l!tf4. the community of Cape May was fac>edT>y a future without an active performing aWs center. In the spring of that year a group of residents lead by Peter Vernon and GArdnar Howes conceived and Is-gan what is now known as the Jersey Cape_Pcrforming Arts Guild (JCPAGt The theatre’s first production. Alley In Wonderlodd premiered in Cape May City Hall that same sprmg,keeping the dream of theatre in South Jersey alive. Since then JCPAG has come a long way. They have secured community backing; they have increased production of plays by 40 per ccnl-and this summer they have .hired their first professional director. Wc started out as a community theatre with just a handful of people; talented, funny people. Nobody had any practical experience; so, we started from schatch," Peter explains. “So far we- arc just breaking even. We survive on admission fees.” He continues, "In the beginning we had to ask performers to donate $10 apiece for the Set, these last two years we’ve been selfsufficient." - >. ’ JCPAG docs not qualify for government grants because tbey changed their name from Cape May Community Theatre to the JCPAG. ''Yqu have to be an organization in its present, form for three years,” Peter noted. Eor Peter and local residents, JCPAG has been a success. It has given the community good theatre arts entertainment. It has also given young and old alike an opportunity to learn the basics that go into theatrical production: acting. set design, lighting, producing and directing. "WE HAVE A LARGE turnoVer of help, lots of people that always. wanted to gel involved in theatre hut never had the chance. It's all basically volunteer, work...but everybody takes on as much as they can We have all learned a great deal:" he notes. "When we started no one was that knowledgable We learned .through our mistakes " This is the guild’s first year in full swing Last year there were 10 performances; this year it will be 47 "We can't go back We have to stick to that, so that people who put time and energy into the guild know that we are moving forward. And so we don't lose community backing.” The guild has an excellent rela.tionship with the community, according to Peter. "In the past, when other companies would come to Cape May they'd leave the Civic Center a mess. They would borrow props and money that the town would never see again. They helped give theatre a bad name. We’re doing everything we can to change that impression. When we leave a site 14 Aucusrii: IMI

— and you can check with the town about this — it’s better than »

when we got there.”

THE MAIN INGREDIENT is keeping the guild from really taking off is money. They have a few ideas for raising funds. One is setting up a raffle and selling tickets. The other idea is working on selling advertisements for the shows. But the guild is npt about to set a tack towards money, “That would be foolish,” Peter explains. "We want to gear ourselves towards .specific performances — in drama, comedy, and children’s

shows’."

The key to getting more people involved Ys through children, he believes. “Once the kids are in the show*or know about it, they bring the parents, and it's something for the kids, on an educational level." LOCAL SCHOOLS HAVE been a big help. The guild gets good cooperation thru them, Peter says. The guilds first big success was a children’s show. The guild sent home 500 circulars with the kids thru the schools. They had seating for 300 people but about 700 showed up. There was a line alMhe way around the blocks Acording to Vernon, South Jersey has been falsely accused of being culturally void. “That’s just a pet phrase. The fact is that we are culturally. rich with Pine folklore, the Atlantic City Ballet — and in Ocean City there is a gentleman organizing a symphony orchestra," Peter notes. He also believes there is a general attitude in South Jersey because people are not used to this type of entertainment. "They take their kids to Philadelphia to see* the shows. I don’t know if you can blame it on t.v., it's jdst not part of their social existence. People in Cape May just aren’t used to theatre being in their back yard.” In the past, the guild has spon sored workshops in lighting and set design. They also hope to branch out with other hands-on programs. "I need to pat someone on the back and say ‘here, you go ahead and do it. You can do it. THE HARDEST PART of directing, he says, is dovetailing people and things. "We want every aspect of the show to be as good as can be — from acting and set design, right down to ticket sales and refreshments."

_ v 1 **■•« GUIDING FORCE behind the continuing success of community theatre in Cape May, Peter Vernoh stands outside the former Pete’s Tavern, this summer's home for some of the presentations by the theatre group. (The tavern does not get its name from the,theatre director). ’

This is the first summer the guild has been open. They are prtv dwnng a children's show, Rip Van Winkle at the Franklin Street Civic Center, and a combination of other plays 1 But Peter is finding out that he has less help in the summer because the resident crew members all have summer

jobs.

The Seahorse is the guild's newest venture and is a first in two respects. It combines the best of theatre and film by having the set on location. The play requires a stage be set up like a bar. So the guild renovated Pete’s Tavern, on Lafayette St. to use as a stage. "Its worked out really well. We want to do moi^lays on location. It’s a new idea and people really like it,” Peter said. Seahorse is also the first time the guild has

LITTLE HEADS, in foreground, with eyes straight ahead watch intently this scene from ’Rip Van Winkle.' Players include Dave Holzmer, left, as Hendrick, and Brian Donnelly as Rip.

hired a professional director: An--na Deveare Smith, a graduate of the American Conservatory Theatre School in San Francisco, has worked professionally for the Joseph Papp’s Public theatre in New York. JCPAG HAS DEFINITE plans for the future. These include increased productions for children, sponsorship of more professional theatre arts groups, and the establishment of an annual Jersey Cape Performing Arts Festival. They also want to produce local playwrights and get more involved with the area school systems community. With the cutbacks in government grants for the arts, it is easy to say that times will be getting harder. But it is comforting to know that there are people dedicated to the continuation of performing arts. With this type of grass roots support it is doubtful Cape May will go without a performing arts theatre. JCPAG’s summer schedule in ; eludes: Thurs., Aug. 13, Rip Van Winfele at the Franklin Street Civic Center (next to the firehouse), August 15 and 16 at the Civic Ceriter—a series of one act plays entitled the 75th by Israel Horovitz, Lemonade by James Prideaux, and The Tiger by Murry Schisgal. The following week August 20—Rip Van Winkle, and on the 21st and 22nd, The Seahorse by Edward J. Moore at Pete’s Tavern. Curtain time is 7:30 for Winkle and 8:15 for all others. Jack Chiflli is a correspondent for the Herald and Lantern.