Footlighters in the Spotlight

In 1939, when the Burlington County Footlighters staged its first production, Tovarich, the world was on the brink of World War II.

The story, a rubles to rags comedy, is about a Russian prince and his grand duchess wife, who flee the Russian Revolution to Paris, carrying and promising to safekeep the czar’s fortune, only to find themselves becoming destitute. 

The play provided amusement for core realities of early century problems: the shrinkage of jobs, the conflicts of human relations and the social and economic losses arising as a result of war.

“During that time, self-produced entertainment was the norm,” says Dennis Dougherty, president of the board of directors of the Burlington County Footlighters and a member since since 2001. “People learned to play the piano and sing. And, that’s how community theater grew.”

Although the landscape is dotted with many community theatrical groups, few can allege the long life of the Burlington County Footlighters. And, the company in its 73rd season, shows no signs of ending, with more than 220 members and new plays being planned for next season.

“We still sell out shows," says Dougherty, who has a day job in public relations, but has an avocation as an actor sometimes. “We have very loyal subscribers.”

Footlighters is governed by a board of directors, along with chairpersons, all dedicated members of the arts, who still believe in community theater.

Footlighters history
The group, founded by the late Ruth Strahan, has been performing at the playhouse on Pomona Road since 1983, but during its long history, this gypsy-like company had waltzed from one local town to another.

Originally called the Footlight Players of Palmyra and Riverton, the early troupe performed at  Palmyra High School for a year.

Soon after, the Footlighters had to move, and thus, the group had a string of stages.

“Needing another venue, the group moved to Riverton School about 1940,” says Dougherty, “and it stayed there during World War II, and unfortunately, membership dropped during that time.”

After 1950, the group changed its name to the Burlington County Footlighters. It further performed at a Delran barn, a theater on Main Street in Moorestown, and finally set down permanent roots at its present locale, a red brick building, the former Eleanor Phillips School.

“During the '20s, the [Phillips] school was a school for African Americans,” says Dougherty. “Then in the '60s, it was an elementary school serving the township.”

What's on stage
On a recent evening, a group of 20 members rehearsed for the upcoming musical, Chicago, opening on May 6, which will close the playhouse's  season. Productions of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Mitch Albom’s And The Winner Is… and Baby were put on this year, as well as two children’s shows.

A peek inside the rehearsal hall provided a glimpse into the arduous duties undertaken to pull together a live musical. Soft-soled dancers spun in precise movement, singers crooned out lyrics. Stage crews, a pianist, producers and directors, everyone  was toiling long hours for the sake of art.

So, what has been the success of the theater’s longevity?

“The camaraderie is a big thing,” says Torben Christiansen, the technical director for nine years. “I came and saw a show here, and the old director said, ‘You will never get away,’ and here I am.”

This seems to be the vernacular of all who get involved with the playhouse.

“We are the envy of everyone in community theater,” says Pamela Grimme, facilities director for 28 years. In 2000, the organization bought the current building from the township. “We are one of the few theater groups that own our building. And, we have free parking.”

The three-story building is a haven of  small rooms that works perfectly for the many aspects of theater producing: costumes' area, makeup prop rooms, and  technical storage—all cues of the schoolhouse it once was. The second-floor intermission room, where actors engage with audience-members, has original blackboards from its classroom days.

Former students who performed at Footlighters were Miss America 1998 Katherine Shindle and Aaron Lazar, both have had runs on Broadway. But, the group’s most-known alumna is Judith Light, who had a successful stretch on the soap opera One Life to Live and then on the ABC television series Who’s the Boss?

Intern programs for high school and college-age students have them producing and performing in a show during the summer.

Children’s workshops beginning at age 5 through 15 are held throughout the year, and summer camp starts in late June.

"Our people work individually with one aspect of the playhouse, such as only working on costumes," says Dougherty. "Our structure is unique. I think that's one of the reasons we have survived so long."

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