PUTNAM COUNTY
Part of the stated mission for The Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton is to bring the arts to the local community.
Late last month, during the pre-show sound check for The Doo Wop Project at The Plaza, a group of local students ranging from high school freshmen to college-aged – each interested in pursuing a career in the arts – had the unique opportunity of speaking one-on-one with the show’s stars.
“It was very fun to get to sit down and talk with Broadway professionals,” said Anenaca Simpson, among the students present. “They gave us some great insight on what it’s like to be a professional in the industry.”
These talkbacks and master classes are what The Plaza is all about. Bringing these artists who perform on The Plaza stage to meet with, teach and answer questions from area students is part of what makes The Plaza unique.
“The Doo Wop Project sound check/talk back was a very cool experience for myself and the PCHS students that were in attendance,” Putnam County High School chorus teacher Amanda Stover said. “For most of them, it was their first time seeing anything like it.”
Stover’s sentiment is what really matters to The Plaza staff, volunteers and board.
It’s ultimately why The Plaza has opened 15 years ago. The fact that these students got to meet and listen to professional Broadway performers is why The Plaza raises money and presents shows like The Doo Wop Project, to bring the arts to this community. To show students that dreams can in fact come true.
“I am grateful to The Plaza for giving my students opportunities like this and for investing in the lives of young performers,” Stover added.
She said her students were excitedly recalling long after the show “about how awesome it was getting to experience the sound check, meeting the group – their favorite part – and getting to see the actual show.”
The students walked away from their talk with the group feeling inspired.
'My experience when going to see The Doo Wop Project perform was magical,” PCHS ninth-grader Nevaeh Marshall declared. “During the mic-check, they were all very kind and generous and it was such a fun experience to see in person.
“And after their performance they even let us take pictures with them and signed our playbills. They told us to, ‘Keep going if we had a dream,’ and I will never forget their performance.”
Giving students experiences like this is The Plaza’s mission. Reaching young people interested in the arts is what the donations, sponsors and memberships go toward. Everyone at The Plaza is so happy and proud of being able to spread the joy of music, performing and art with everyone for 15 years now.
For more information on The Plaza or to purchase tickets for future performances, visit plazacenter.org.