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Home > Archive > Oct 11, 2007

Dixie Dramatic Association Begins New Season
By Katrice Schimbeck
Staff Writer
The Dixie Dramatic Association is bringing high drama of a different kind to St. George at the Opera Center for a mere $5 ticket.
Most drama at the opera house can be seen nowhere else because the DDA presents the work of local authors, giving them the chance to produce their work. 
“It’s not just a community theater. People are able to come and direct or be behind the scenes or tech work. If they’ve written anything, they can test their plays,” said Mike King, who spearheaded the program.
The St. George Opera House was built about 1870, and the small pioneer community held many theatrical events put on by community members. The original St. George Dramatic Association even purchased a bankrupt opera company from New York to perform there.
St. George Musical Theater occupied the Opera House for several years but outgrew it and moved to bigger venues. The Dixie Dramatic Association was formed last January by Mike King and is establishing itself as a community theater of drama – but the DDA is starting small with reader’s theater productions. 
DDA is led by a board of four members: Mike King, St. George City Liaison; Hal Hickman, Lauretta Swansborough, and David Shuck.
Board member Swansborough has been involved in theater her entire life. She has been involved in community theater wherever she has lived, helping direct and act in plays. She is directing the upcoming production “The Ravine.”
“I love theater, every aspect of it,” Swansborough said.
Mike King learned the technical side of theater working in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the Grease Paint Theater. He started the Richfield Field and Stars pageant. He also plays in several bands of every genre, taking third place at Cornstock in Enterprise in August.
Hal Hickman is a retired communication professor from Northern Arizona University and has built and owned radio and TV stations. He is directing “Teacher’s Lounge” in November and his original play, “House Ghost,” in February.
David Shuck is a former professional singer. He enjoys singing major musical roles, like Tevya from “Fiddler on the Roof” and Maurice in “Beauty and the Beast.”
The DDA will perform “The Ravine,” a thriller murder mystery adapted by Mike King from a Ray Bradbury story, Oct. 25-27 at 7 p.m. This will be performed in the style of an old-time radio broadcast with live music and effects. All tickets are $5 at the door, and there is no reserved seating.
“Teacher’s Lounge,” written by John M. Twomey will be performed Nov. 15-17 at 7 p.m.
Auditions for “Rudolph,” written by Kathryn Miller, will be Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. in the Opera House. A director and children are needed. It will be performed Dec. 13-15.
The St. George Opera House is located at 47 East 200 North.  For more information about auditions or performances, contact Mike King at 703-1198 or michael.king@sgcity.org.

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