January 11 , 2024 The Beacon • 19
Footlight Players celebrating 75th anniversary
By Josie Sellers
Schooler Family announces grants and new deadlines
Established in 1985 by Seward and Edith Schooler , the Schooler Family Foundation provides funding for a range of philanthropic purposes including annual operating budgets , specific programs and projects , equipment , capital facilities and buildings , endowment , and capacitybuilding , and it continues a long-standing commitment of support for the areas of economic development , environment , energy , education , human service , aging , religion , healthcare , recreation , science and medicine , historic preservation , leadership , civic engagement and citizenship , arts and culture , and
For 75 years the Coshocton Footlight Players have entertained audiences and given people the opportunity to be involved in theater , both on the stage and behind the scenes .
“ We are very proud of our anniversary and to have come from our humble beginnings in 1949 ,” said Nick Fischer , president of the group ’ s board . “ A lot of people had their hands in getting us here .”
The Coshocton Footlight Player ’ s special anniversary will be celebrated with dinner and a show on Saturday , Feb . 10 at the Coshocton County Career Center . Social hour will be at 5:30 p . m ., dinner at 6:30 p . m . and the show at 7:30 p . m .
The menu includes appetizers of shrimp scampi , Italian cheese dip and crudité bites ; salad bar / rolls ; tea , water and coffee ; grilled chicken or salmon with butter sauce or vegetarian meal ; roasted potatoes gratin ’, sauteed zucchini and squash ; and cheesecake with mixed berry topping .
The cost is $ 50 per person , and the reservation deadline is Monday , Jan . 15 . Call 740-622-2959 to make a reservation .
“ We scouted several venues , and this was the best all-around one for us ,” said Susan Guthrie , secretary of the group ’ s board . “ Mike Cichon and his students at the career center are preparing the meal for us . The kitchen is right there for them . We will eat in the cafeteria and move to the amphitheater area for the show . We are excited about the venue . Nick Fischer , president of our board , has been wanting to try a dinner theater concept for a while now . We thought our 75th anniversary was a good time to try it .”
Featured at the anniversary celebration will be the Coshocton Footlight Players current production , “ Jerry Finnegan ’ s Sister .”
“ It ’ s a romantic comedy , and I thought it was a perfect little show to do around Valentine ’ s Day for our dinner theater ,” said Guthrie , who directs the play .
“ Jerry Finnegan ’ s Sister ” by Jack Neary is about Brian Dowd , who has feelings for his neighbor and
community development .
In 2023 the Schooler Family Foundation awarded $ 203,677.95 in grants to the following :
— The American Red Cross - East Central Ohio Chapter for disaster preparedness and relief , armed forces services , and blood donation programs , $ 20,300 .
— The Ohio State University Foundation for the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Fellowship Program , $ 50,000 .
— The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges for the Ohio Scholars Program , $ 40,000 .
— Coshocton City and County Park District for best friend ’ s sister Beth Finnegan .
“ He has a wicked crush on her and has a hard time letting her know ,” Guthrie said . “ He ’ s known her since they were little kids and has been harboring his crush all this time .”
Dowd , however , finds out Finnegan is getting married , and he must decide what to do before his time to tell her about his feelings runs out .
“ I think this play is incredibly well written ,”
disc golf course equipment , $ 32,798.99 .
— Village of Frazeysburg for community pool pump and equipment , $ 10,578.96 .
— Coshocton County Regional Airport Authority for hangar construction , $ 50,000 .
Through March 1 the Schooler Family Foundation is accepting letters of inquiry from organizations located in or benefiting the communities of Coshocton County , Frazeysburg and Perryton . A second opportunity to apply for grants in 2024 will begin Sept . 1 .
Requests for additional information may be emailed to schoolerfamilyfoundation @ gmail . com .
Guthrie said . “ It ’ s witty and funny , and I think people will laugh .”
The two actors in the play are portrayed by Graham Beaumont and Jenna Jordan .
“ They both have degrees in theater and are trained
actors ,” Guthrie said . “ They are a real pleasure to work with .”
Assistant director for the play is Heath Chaney , and its sponsor is Dana Herreid .
“ Late in 2023 the board decided to ask businesses and individuals to be sponsors of a show ,” Guthrie said . “ Their donation would go to the cost for the rights of the show . A lot of people don ’ t realize we have to pay $ 1,200- $ 4,000 for the rights depending on the show . Out of our five plays for 2024 , three are already sponsored . This is a big help for the total cost of our shows .”
In addition to the dinner and the show event , “ Jerry Finnegan ’ s Sister ” also will be performed Friday and Saturday , Feb . 16-17 and Feb . 23-24 at 7:30 p . m . and Sunday , Feb . 18 at 2:30 p . m . at the Triple Locks Theater , 685 N . Whitewoman St ., Coshocton . Tickets are $ 15 for adults and $ 10 for children under
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18 . Season passes cannot be used for this show . For tickets visit https :// app . arts-people . com / index . php ? show = 215687 .
“ I ’ ve been involved with the Footlight Players since 1969 ,” Guthrie said . “ When I was in fifth or sixth grade , I got the part of Baby June in ‘ Gypsy ,’ and that ’ s when we were in the barn at the fairgrounds . I ’ ve been involved pretty much since then , except when I was away at school . The Footlight Players are near and dear to my heart . This celebration is a wonderful thing for me and a lot of other people .”
Fischer has been involved with the theater group for 10 years .
“ I enjoy being on stage ,” he said . “ It gives you the opportunity to become someone else . This also is an all-volunteer organization . No one gets paid a dime . We all do it because we enjoy it .”
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