Ashley House
Reporter
Since its inception in 1976, the Station Theatre has put on hundreds of shows and has been a diving board into the waters of theatre for many locals. From acting to producing, directing, or costuming, the Station Theatre has it all. A small, black-box style theatre in Urbana, the Station specializes in drama that is a bit more adult-oriented. Many of the shows revolve around darker themes, showcasing the more daunting sides of humanity, like depression, insanity and death. Other shows offer more comedic relief while still generally erring on the provocative side.
The Station Theatre has a rich history of change and development, and a story that the building itself seems to tell. Built in 1923, the Station was initially a stop for the Big Four Railroad, a once booming industry in the early days of Urbana. By the end of the century, however, construction on Interstate I-74 had begun, and as a result the train station closed in 1956. The building was purchased in 1976 by The Celebration Company, a business founded by local florist and arts enthusiast Rick Orr. The rest, they say, is history.
Each season, the Theatre selects a loose theme to focus on. This year, the Celebration Company is going for a social issues focus. According to former Board of Trustees member, Thom Schnarre, the Theatre is looking specifically to do “…plays by and about women, racial diversity, and transgender issues.” As a result, this season will feature a somewhat rare repertoire for the Station. The lighthearted and legendary Mamma Mia! will show in December of this year, a fun change of pace from the usual dark and brooding collection of plays that are typical of the Theatre.
How does the Station choose plays? Anyone in the community can submit to the Station an idea for a play or a musical they are interested in directing. If their play is selected, they are given the role of director, which includes control over their vision of the performance in every sense. “A director literally controls everything there,” says Schnarre. “Casting, staffing, budget management, rehearsals and performances.” Schnarre himself has directed 7 shows at the Station since his initial involvement in 2012, and has done costuming for 16 other shows. He is presently a professor of English, drama, and literature at Parkland College, and has a deep passion for the arts and for the dark, haunting aesthetic of the Station Theatre.
The Station Theatre also provides a sense of community for many people involved. According to Mikel Matthews, a long-time director, that feeling is one of the best parts of the Theatre. “The family you get to create on the shows is always a high point,” says Matthews. “Working with the cast to get to that opening night and being able to sit with an audience and see how they react is what I live for.” Matthews has been with the Station since 2009 and has directed around a dozen shows there. Many at the Station feel they have created life long bonds with the people they work with. If you stop by to see a show or two at the Station, you’ll undoubtedly notice a certain chemistry amongst the actors that extends even offstage, where you can recognize the familiarity of everyone who was involved in making that show happened, one that comes only from spending long hours and late nights together perfecting something you all care about.
Students at Parkland College can look on the Station Theatre Facebook page or on the Station Theatre website at stationtheatre.com, for information on show times, tickets, or upcoming auditions. The Theatre is always looking for help in every capacity: stage hands, producers, costumers, hair or makeup artists. Those interested are encouraged to reach out.
