Performer Robin Lynne Frye has brought her soprano talent to a wide audience throughout the Sandhills and the world. She will sing accompanied by talented pianist Jennifer Thomas. Popular local dancing group “The Sophisticated Ladies” will dance.
Performers Marvin Hanson, Susan Paschal, Marsha Warren and Kelly Gray, all of whom have sung professionally and with professional organizations will also perform. Shows such as “Man of La Mancha,” “Cats,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “The Sound of Music,” “Annie Get Your Gun” and “Porgy and Bess” among others will be featured.
The SCC Playmakers theater group, which includes students in drama and music classes, will participate as part of their final grade for this year. SCC Drama Director, Joy Karcher is directing “Broadway Bound,” just one of the many shows she has directed and participated in throughout her extensive career.
“I’m just thrilled that SCC theater students can collaborate with the choir, the community and The Moore County Literacy Council to present this evening of entertainment,” said Karcher, “The whole event is a partnership with so many entities… it is so rewarding to see all these people get together for such a good cause.”
The SCC Choir, made up of 22 students, under the direction of Frances Wilson and accompanied on piano by Jennifer Thomas, will be joining the student Playmakers in scenes from “Man of La Mancha” and “The Sound of Music.” The college choir performs at many college and community functions.
“We’re glad to be a part of the event,” said Wilson, “And it’s been great to collaborate with Joy and the students on ‘Broadway Bound’ to benefit literacy.”
Miss Moore County 2004 Holly Haskins is a student at SCC in Karcher’s drama class.
While “Broadway Bound” will give the students an opportunity to perform on stage with seasoned, professional performers, the SCC Playmakers group itself has a long history of performances at the college. The SCC Playmakers theater group was under the direction of the late William Watson, who was the director of the Sandhills Community College drama department and who also directed many of the SCC alumni in college plays throughout the years.
“Mr. Watson and Sandhills Community College were profound influences in my life — professionally and personally,” said Council Executive Director Kelly Gray who is performing in the show and attended SCC for two years before transferring to theater arts school in Manhattan.
“Mr. Watson taught me how to be a good performer and the SCC experience helped me to become a better person.”
Gray said she would have been ill-prepared for tough times
in New York if not for the strong
foundation given to her by the
staff and classes at SCC.
“Mr. Watson, Mrs. Wilson, Mr. Whitman, Dr. Adams, Mrs. Suzanne Adams, Mr. Harris, Mrs. Cole, Dr. Dempsey and so many other teachers supported me while I attended and after leaving Sandhills,” said Gray, “I am so glad to be able to participate in something that will ultimately help that wonderful school and The Moore County Literacy Council at the same time.”
It is estimated that nearly 25 percent of Moore County citizens are functionally illiterate. The Moore County Literacy Council has provided tutoring to thousands of people throughout the years and Council volunteers tutor students at SCC in the GED program.
Council officials hope this event will help them to continue running programs that help people learn to read and write.
“I always say Sandhills Community College is my academic hometown,” said Gray who is now a writer by trade, “And literacy is my livelihood. It’s a perfect marriage I’m glad to stand up for.”
Tickets are available at the Council at 175 West New Hampshire Avenue or by calling the council at 910-692-5954.
Tickets are $10 and proceeds benefit The Moore County Literacy Council.
