Williamson Trade School, located just five minutes from The Media Theatre, had a busy crew at what has become known as Delaware County's only professional music theatre. This was during its second annual Community Service Week, May 15-19.
“For four days we provide a community
service, giving back to the community by assisting local non-profits,” stated
Renee Lallo, a volunteer with Williamson whose husband, Art, sits on their
board. “The Media Theatre is a terrific place, providing educational opportunities
for young students,” she continued, as her daughter Valerie helped with some
painting in the theatre’s second floor Crystal Room. The Lallo’s daughters are
previous students of The Media Theatre’s acting classes.
Michelle Martella, Williamson’s Director of
The Annual Fund, was on hand as well, working with the Trade School’s young men
who were busy throughout The Media Theatre from the front doors of the lobby to
the backstage dressing rooms. “We are doing some needed touch-ups,
restorations, and installing new fixtures here and there,” Michelle said.
A partial group of Williamson Trade School students who assisted at Media Theatre: John Woodbridge, Eric Sheller, Jimmy Guilin, Tim Smith, with Carpentry Shop Director Mike Neville. |
Williamson’s Placement Director, Margaret
Kingham, was supervising each aspect of the work being done at the theatre. “One
of Williamson’s core values is service, to give back and to assist the
community,” she explained. “Mr. Walter Strine, Sr, who renovated The Media
Theatre back in the mid-90’s as a beautiful performing arts venue was a student
of Williamson. He was a student of our Masonry program. He eventually, in his
own way of giving back to the community, donated funds to Williamson to create
our Strine Learning Center.”
Fixing Up The Doors! |
With Williamson’s Service Week at The Media
Theatre, it was as if The Williamson family had come home and a circle was
completed which started when Strine had been a student at Williamson. A few of the current students of 2017 put their own personal touch
on the venue. The theatre has, since Strine’s complete renovation in the mid-90’s,
become synonymous with award-winning professional music theatre.
The Williamson Trade School crew that assisted The Media Theatre |
Surely Mr. Walter Strine, Sr,--had he been
here to witness the service work being done this week-- would have been very
proud of the 2017 students assisting in retaining the elegance of a building
that was so near and dear to his heart. He is, most likely, looking down upon
the young men who came to the aid of The Media Theatre and giving
them plenty of applause.
The Media Theatre’s current musical is “Saturday Night Fever” through June 11. For children, “Alice In Wonderland” will be on
stage each weekend through May 26. Summer camps begin June 17. The theatre's Artistic Director is Jesse Cline. For
more information, visit mediatheatre.org or call 610-891-0100.
Williamson College
of the Trades prepares qualified young men to be respected leaders and
productive members of society. More info may be found at www.williamson.edu