The Women’s Committee, Beau Geste, PROPS
Over the years, there have been several organizatons that assisted Wayside in various ways. A committee of women (WWC) was created in 1971 as a means of supporting Wayside Theatre beyond what funds from ticket sales provided. An early announcement about this organization stated, “The first step has been taken toward the formation of a Wayside Women’s Committee, as both an aid to the Wayside Theatre, and as an extension of its service to the communities in the area” (“Women’s Group Formed ….” TWS. 5 Nov. 1971). This additional financial support was absolutely necessary in order to sustain the theatre, considering that the 1973 budget “for Wayside [was] $60,000 compared with Barter’s [which was] $200,000” (Jolly, B. “Women back ….” DNR. 17 Apr. 1973).
Membership in WWC was open to all women from the Winchester/Frederick County area. One of its activities was hosting a “Beaux Arts Ball in March as part of the campaign for additional subscribers” (“Wayside Theatre Group …” TWS. 5 Nov. 1971). The membership of the organization covered a wide geographical area, with support groups located in Winchester, Frederick County, Strasburg, Woodstock, Mount Jackson, New Market, Front Royal, Warren County, Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Martinsburg, WV, Luray-Page County, Clarke County, Leesburg-Loudoun County, and Fauquier County. To recognize their support, the names of WWC members were listed in the playbills.
The details of the work of the WWC members is found on a page in a 1971 playbill stating,
Working behind the scenes throughout the year at Wayside is a group of
dedicated women from the communities in the Shenandoah Valley. This
newly organized committee moved into action with enthusiasm and vigor,
and is a valuable addition to the foundation throughout the year. The purpose
of the WWC is to promote even closer coordination between the activities of
the theatre and those of the communities.
A more detailed listing of the WWC’s work is found further down the page.
The organization was instrumental in working with the mayors of local com-
munities to declare the week of May 17 – 22 as WAYSIDE THEATRE WEEK.
The women climaxed their year long drive to secure season subscribers during
Wayside Week … Their campaign during the winter months included personal
calls to patrons of previous years, a mailing of over 6,000 letters announcing the
season and subscription benefits to area residents as well as arranging small and
large parties sponsored by various local groups.
The work of the WWC was highly beneficial to the Theatre in expanding the number of theatre subscriptions. In 1969, only 100 subscriptions were sold, but during the intensive 1971 drive, sales tripled. The article adds that the work of the WWC casts “a vote of confidence in the theatre … [and] a mutual reassurance that is extremely uplifting to the company of resident professional actors who reach out each summer to the community for appreciation and support” (“Enthusiastically Presenting ….” Playbill 1971).
Those interested in becoming members of WWC were urged to contact Mrs. David McWhorter of Winchester. In addition to helping with various Wayside chores, WWC “has planned a tour to DC to see backstage activities as well as a performance [at Arena]; … plans for March include a Beaux Arts Ball, in connection with a campaign for [more] subscribers.” The DC trip “would allow members to become more knowledgeable about professional theatre” (“Women’s Group Formed ….” TWS. 5 Nov. 1971).
Similar activities the following year resulted in the membership drive doubling the number of subscribers for the 1972 season. In addition to the proposed DC visit to Arena Stage, there was discussion about “The London Show Tour” scheduled for November of 1972. However, it is not known if that trip ever materialized.
As indicated by its title, WWC support group was comprised solely of women who hosted teas or parties for the purpose of selling season subscriptions. The group’s interest also was focused on using Wayside for educational opportunities for children and young people.
Records indicate that around 1973 or 1974, the Wayside Women’s Committee evolved into Beau Geste. The purpose of the new organization was the same, only its membership was no longer comprised of only women, but was now an organization of couples. Marjorie Lewis created the name Beau Geste and the primary goal remained the same - - selling subscriptions, but also of helping actors while they were working at Wayside Theatre. Mrs. Lewis gives the following illustration regarding the role of the group,
If you come to the theatre, that is wonderful; if you subscribe, that is better;
if you donate money, that is marvelous; but if you involve yourself into the life
of the theatre, that is the ‘grand gesture.’ This ‘grand gesture’ could be exhibited
in a variety of ways to those coming to Middletown in 1972 which could be called
the “grand, rural, isolated waste-land” (Lewis, M. Interview. 3 June 2011).
Since the actors were under a great deal of pressure (adjusting to the area, learning lines, extensive rehearsals, and nightly performances), the aim of Beau Geste was to help the actors in any way possible — with food, whether provided by Beau Geste or taking them grocery shopping, if they needed transportation; with making sure the housing was livable; with meeting actors at the train or bus station (if they arrived in that manner) and transporting them to Middletown; providing help for those without cars who needed assistance. Beau Geste was helping the theatre, but now in a more humanitarian way. The teas and social events were primarily for fund-raising. And, while these activities were essential to the life of the theatre, the Beau Geste members sponsored in these along with more personal gestures as well.
A 1973 playbill lists the membership of the Beau Geste organization. While the majority of the names are women, it showed that, for the first time, this support organization was definitely “co-ed.” By the following year, the names listed were predominately couples. Membership included volunteers from up and down the Shenandoah Valley. A press release in March 1974, announced that a Subscription Drive Campaign kick-off party, hosted by Beau Geste and the Board of Directors, had the goal of selling 1500 subscriptions including renewals as well as new ones. This number would be above the 1155 subscriptions that were sold in 1973. The kick-off for this campaign was a party of wine and cheese held at the Wayside Inn and consisted of people
… from the many communities up and down the Shenandoah Valley and as far
west as Leesburg and Luray who work as volunteers, giving their time and effort
to assure the continuation of Wayside Theatre … At the event there was a “new
slide show presentation” and greetings given by Mrs. John P. Lewis, chairman of
the Board and overall chairman of the Beau Geste” and artistic director, Gerald
Slavet, who will “announce the tentative selection of shows for the summer”
(Swink. Press release. 14 Mar. 1974).
The issue of actor housing was addressed with the very important purchase of the Old Dominion Apartments. This property was not in the most pristine shape, but, “with the help of Le Beau Geste, they have redecorated and furnished … in order to get them ready for this Season.” A full two-page spread in the local paper featured this new home for the Wayside actors with photographs of the location, a picture of renovation work being done, along with a photo of Marjorie Lewis speaking to membes of the Beau Geste group seated in the Theatre (“ ‘Beau Geste’ Aids Wayside.” WES. 22 May 1974). To assure that this property would not lie idle when the summer season was completed, theare patrons were assured that “To help pay the mortgage, the apartments are rented out during the winter and require cleaning and renovating before the arrival of the theater crew” (Williams, L. “Middletown Welcomes ….” WES. 22 July 1973).
There must have been some earlier discussion about addressing the issue of the interior of the theatre which was plagued with seats in dis-repair and insufficient leg room. The funds that had been earmarked for this interior renovation had been shifted to purchasing the Old Dominion Apartments. To explain why the promised renovation was not considered, the article explains the urgent need to address the housing problem first. Funds were moved to address housing with the promise that the renovation of the theatre’s interior was still a priority. “The Board is again preparing to launch a fund raising campaign to attract donations necessary for renovation … and promises that by next season this project will be underway” (Wayside Playbill. 1974).
One member, who was active with Beau Geste between 1971 and 1974, described her role as ‘simply taking care of the actors.’ She recalled making many trips to DC to collect those actors arriving by train and driving them to Middletown. She added that members of Beau Geste were able to provide transportation on the actor’s day off - - perhaps out to dinner, to places of interest in the area, even to doctor’s appointments, if necessary. Another member told of trying to make their living quarters ‘homey’ and remembers bringing a wicker chair along with some pillows to the apartments. She stated that between 1974 and 1977 she lived away from Winchester and, upon returning, noted the Beau Geste group had dissolved. Rumor had it that the group had been told that their services were no longer needed (Zebarth, H. Interview. 21 Feb. 2011). If this were the case, this attitude reflected a change in the Theatre’s leadership that had taken place during her absence.
In a 1975 playbill for The Boy Friend, a list of the Beau Geste membership is given below a paragraph that states, “An acknowledgement to those people from the main communities in the Shenandoah Valley who have made “The Grand Gesture” by giving their time and efforts to Wayside Foundation for the Arts.” These people covered a wide area: Front Royal with 13 names; Harrisonburg with 13 names; Winchester with 23 names, and 11 names listed from Martinsburg, WV (Wayside Playbill 1975).
In addition to announcements and reviews of the 1977 stage productions, other bits of information about the Theatre appear in the area newspapers. Many of these deal with ticket sales, urging people to purchase a season subscribe to Wayside’s six-show season. The Women’s Committee, that had been organized a few years earlier, was deeply involved with promoting ticket subscriptions, often by holding afternoon teas along with making telephone calls. When this evolved into the more couple oriented Beau Geste, the scope of the involvement broadened. Their work continued to emphasize the selling of ticket subscriptions and used the same slogan from the 1976 campaign: “Think Summer … Think Wayside ….” The activity of Beau Geste was instrumental in broadening the number of season subscribers as well as expanding the geographical area (“Wayside Theatre Opens ….” NVD. 13 May, 1977). Selling subscriptions was only one of the activities that involved this busy group of people. In 1977, Beau Geste was involved in the redecorating and furnishing of the apartments used by the actors - - a major priority for that summer season (Wayside Playbill, 1977).
The very active Beau Geste organization also provided another gesture for the actors - - a “Saturday night meal in between performances” that was greatly appreciated by the actors on two-show days. In summary, Beau Geste did “many other things to make the artists feel at home” (Williams, L. “Broadway dancer….” WES. 22 July 1973).
For unknown easons, Beau Geste seems to have ceased as an organization around the late ‘70s or early ‘80s. But, it has been suggested that the organization’s services were not appreciated by the Theatre leadership. This does not mean that community and non-staff support of the Theatre ceased to exist, as there is evidence of some type of continued support by the community. However, this support was never with the same enthusiasm or effectiveness as during the time that Beau Geste was so active.
While not given an organizational name, there were patrons of the theatre that were still involved in providing assistance for the organization. A 1991 Playbill mentions a Fantasy Auction scheduled for October 26, 1991 that will be held at the Shenandoah Country Club. “In addition to wonderful works of art, this year’s auction will feature many chances to fulfill some of your fantasy experiences. Exotic vacations, television appearances, and professiona sports participation may await you at this fun filled evening” (“Summer and Smoke” Playbill, 1991). On this same page devoted to “Thanks,” are credits to those for their assistance with this particular activity and to the patrons of the 1990 Art Auction, indicating that such an event had been held the previous year. Both names of individuals as well as organizations are listed.
After a time, a group called PROPS (Provide Regular and On-going Production Support) evolved. It is not clear how or when this organization came about, but by 1995 the playbills contain information about the group as well as one stating that PROPS was seeking volunteers to participate in a variety of activities in order to make Wayside the best possible theatre, “by giving participants a chance to meet cast members, participate in educational programs, learn how professional theatre productions are put together, meet other people involved in the arts, and help resident professional theatre grow” (PROPS. Wayside Playbill. 1996).
PROPS was very active for a number of years, mostly in the area of fund raising and in general assistance to the theatre. Its projects included “new electrical wiring, lights, air conditioning, even supplying new linens” for use by visiting actors staying in actor housing. One of its major projects was “the annual Classy Trash Sale, where Wayside patrons can donate items and receive a tax deduction, [along with] the Annual Tree of Stars for patrons to add a ‘Star’ in someone’s memory or honor, and selling refreshments at various community events” (PROPS. Wayside Playbill, 2000).
In looking through the information available, it appears that community support for the Theatre was well organized and extremely active during Wayside’s early years. During the Theatre’s later years, there was continued community support, but it does not seem to have been quite as active or as well publicized. This type of support continued until the theatre’s closing by providing housing for visiting actors, assisting with strikes by moving costumes and/or props from the stage to the storage area, dismantling sets, and providing a welcomed meal on the ‘10 of 12’ tech/rehearsal day. However, it does not appear to have been with the same drive, purpose, or energy as during the time when Beau Geste was so active and involved in many areas of the Theatre’s life.
It is most likely that there is a great deal of additional information on the community involvement with the Theatre than what has been written or made available.