BASTROP, La. — Cast and crew are preparing for a performance this weekend at the Rose Theatre in Bastrop.
The production is “Divorce Southern Style.” It will run September 18-20.
“The short version of the plot is it’s a woman in the South who was divorced many years ago… she’s running out of money and the person she divorced moved to New York City, became a success and he’s rich. And she decides, well, the only thing I can do is get him to come back down and marry me again,” a cast member explained.
The Rose theatre was not always production ready.
“It was a disaster. I mean, it was just trash everywhere, mold everywhere. We took several dumpsters of stuff out. Everything in the back, all the wood, all the sets that had existed, drapes, everything had to be thrown out. And we were just starting from scratch in a bare building,” John Roa, an actor and director with the Rose, said.
Roa has been a part of the Rose’s history for nearly 30 years. He said it’s incredible to see it restored and ready for its next production.
“It’s the type of thing that you dream of as a director, because I had all new wood to build the first set, instead of piecing together scraps from 25 years ago,” Roa said.
The Rose Theatre is part of the National Register of Historical Places and has been a staple of Bastrop since 1926. Tina Wolfe, an actress at the theatre, said it’s an honor to play a part in that iconic history.
“Our country is 250 and the Rose is 100 years old. that’s outstanding, the length of time that this building has been standing,” Wolfe said.
Roa said the theatre is vital to a small town such as Bastrop.
“I think it’s surprising to people to find a theatre that put on quality shelves with really good talent at times here in Bastrop, Louisiana... This makes it possible for people who can’t get down to Monroe or New Orleans or New York City or something like that to see professional production, more professional productions,” Roa said.
Wolfe said the theatre is also an outlet of self-expression for participants.
“So everybody has their little niche, and I feel like art and creativity is very important for developing people as a human. And there’s something about being on that stage that builds your confidence, that gives you some leadership abilities and that helps you meet new friends that you otherwise wouldn’t have reached out to,” Wolfe said.
Even though the Rose Theatre is restored to working condition, Roa and Wolfe said they still need support.
“We’re slowly building that back up, our fan base, our people that always come to the Rose to support us that we’re so thankful for,” Wolfe said.
“I think people need to know that it’s here and it’s operating again. And I think it’s important to support this place and to keep it going,” Roa said.
Tickets for “Divorce Southern Style” can be bought at the theatre’s ticket booth. Upcoming plays can be found on the Rose’s Facebook page.
“You can’t go anywhere in town without meeting someone who has a story to share from the Rose. Whether it’s when it was a movie theater and they remember seeing movies as a kid or coming to see plays or being in plays or their grandkids were in plays. So it’s just fun to hear all those stories and all that history,” Wolfe said.
Participants at the Rose Theatre are planning something special for its 100th anniversary in April. They will perform a play written about the city of Bastrop by a local screenwriter. More information is available on the Rose’s Facebook page.