One of the remarkable aspects of the phenomenon of community theaters like the Church Hill Theater are the participants themselves. Actors, stage technicians, wardrobe assistants, and, most importantly, directors come from all walks of life to volunteer endless hours of rehearsals and constructing sets to bring live theater to small towns each year.
One perfect example is Chestertown’s Pat Patterson, who is currently directing “Dinner with Friends” this weekend. While Patterson has amassed a considerable amount of experience as both an actor and director, including a degree in theater from the University of Michigan, his real life profession before retirement was in the United States Air Force and the diplomatic corp of the State Department. In fact, for the last twenty years with the U.S. government, he was assigned to some of the most dangerous parts of the world, including Iraq, to represent his country’s interests.
With that background in mind, it is perhaps not surprising that Pat turned to community theater for a real break from the demanding tasks related to his day job. And even in retirement, he has not lost that urge to participate.
Case in point is his current assignment directing the Donald Margulies’ Pulitzer-prize winning play “Dinner with Friends” this month at the Church Hill Theatre. In his Spy interview, Pat talks about this comic and poignant play of two married couples who have been friends for years learn that one couple is separating.
This video is approximately four minutes in length
Dinner With Friends
By Donald Margulies
Jan 29th – Jan 31st
Fri & Sat at 8:00pm, Sun at 2:00pm
Adults $20, Members $15, Students $10
MaryWood says
Pat – To be snowed out by last Sunday’s performance, and I can’t make it this Sunday. ALAS.
Glad to have heard you in the Spy.
Mary