Bringing Drama to Your Doorstep: FCCT Launches New Venture with a One Night Only Fundraiser

Local entertainment staple Fayette County Community Theatre (FCCT) is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest venture – FayCo PlayCo. FayCo PlayCo is an innovative approach to theatre programming, focusing on shows that provide an intimate and immersive experience for audiences. Material will be carefully curated to cater to a broad range of tastes and interests, ensuring that there is something for everyone in the community to enjoy. By taking these productions to different areas and utilizing venues in communities throughout Fayette County, the program aims to foster a deeper connection between the performers and the audience. They will be producing full-length plays, One Act plays, skits that will oftentimes have smaller casts and simpler sets compared to the familiar plays FCCT has produced. This initiative is a testament to the theatre’s commitment to cultural enrichment and accessibility, bringing the magic of live performances to even more residents.

“We are excited to launch FayCo PlayCo as a way to extend the reach of our theatrical offerings and make the magic of live performances more accessible to communities throughout Fayette County,” said Heather Barthelme, Executive Director of FCCT. “This program is designed to celebrate the art of storytelling in a more intimate setting, allowing us to connect with audiences on a personal level.”

“It’s been our goal for a couple of years to get out into the county and beyond,” said Barthelme. “We love La Grange and have enjoyed and appreciated the incredible level of support we have received here. We’ll still perform here but it’s important to us to reach outside the La Grange city limits.”

That being said, the first performance will be where it all began. In 2017, FCCT opened the curtain at the newly renovated Historic Casino Hall in La Grange with “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Fayco PlayCo will feature a spectacular opening performance, at that same venue, of the Tony Award winning play “God Of Carnage.” This will be a dinner and show event, a fundraiser with the proceeds launching FayCo PlayCo events. The cast and crew will travel the following week to perform at the Theatre Network of Texas Conference and Competition, TexFest 2024.

“While one of the goals of FayCo PlayCo is to perform in all areas of Fayette County, this first production will take place at the Casino Hall in La Grange,” Barthelme said. “We haven’t seen this stage since the summer of 2021. It will be amazing to be in a familiar space as we raise funds and prepare to take this show to competition in Victoria.”

For the past seven years, FCCT has been dedicated to fostering a sense of community through the arts. They hope with the expansion of programming through FayCo PlayCo to collaborate with local businesses, schools, and organizations to create a truly inclusive experience that resonates with the unique character of each hosting community. In the fall, FCCT is already making plans to perform another FayCo PlayCo production, the hilarious comedy, “Four Old Broads” by Leslie Kimball.

“We haven’t ironed out the details yet, but we will likely take that production to the Schulenburg area,” Barthelme continued.

Breaking down barriers to access, FayCo PlayCo will prioritize making live performances available to diverse audiences. Through strategic partnerships and ticketing initiatives, the organization aims to ensure that this unparalleled entertainment experience is within reach for everyone.

In an era where entertainment options are as diverse as they are abundant, FCCT is proud to introduce a truly unique and immersive entertainment experience. Breaking away from traditional theater venues and models, FCCT is on a mission to redefine the boundaries of live performance by taking the stage in various forms directly to the audience.

Tickets are available for purchase online at faycotheatre. com, and at the box office at 120 S. Washington St, La Grange, Texas. For more information about FayCo Play-Co and the Fayette County Community Theatre, please visit faycotheatre.com or contact Heather Barthelme at (979)702-9368, or info@faycotheatre. com.

About Fayette County Community Theatre:

The Fayette County Community Theatre is a vibrant cultural institution dedicated to fostering a love for the performing arts within the community. FayCo PlayCo is a ground-breaking initiative

Launch Event Details:

“God Of Carnage” by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton - “God of Carnage” explores the aftermath of a playground altercation between two boys and the subsequent meeting of their parents to discuss the incident. What begins as a civilized conversation quickly descends into a chaotic and hilarious melee, offering a satirical look at societal norms and human nature.

FCCT veteran, first-time director and Columbus resident Brandon Theut, known for acting roles in “Of Mice and Men,” “The Play that Goes Wrong,” “The Great Gatsby,” “Drinking Habits” and “Harvey,” shares insights into the creative process stating, “‘God of Carnage’ is a rollercoaster of emotions that resonates with audiences on multiple levels. It’s a privilege to work with such a talented cast to bring this dark comedy to the stage in La Grange, in competition, and anywhere else we can take it.”

The production boasts a stellar cast, including Theut as Alan Raleigh, Emily Hudson of La Grange as Annette Raleigh, and Staci and Judd Ulrich of Schulenburg as Veronica and Michael Novak, whose chemistry on stage promises to bring Reza’s razor-sharp dialogue to life with impeccable timing and gut-busting humor.

“This play is modern, edgy, and a little bit uncomfortable… which is exactly what you’re looking for in a theatre experience!” said Barthelme.

Fundraiser Dinner and Show Performance is Feb. 17 at the Historic Casino Hall in La Grange.

Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., curtain at 7 p.m. (1 hr. running time) to be followed by Q/A with Cast/Crew.

Location: Historic Casino Hall, 254 N. Jefferson Street, La Grange, TX 78945.

Ticket Information: Tickets can be purchased at faycotheatre. com or at the FCCT Box Office and Studio at 120 S. Washington St. in La Grange. For more information, visit faycotheatre.com or call (979) 702-9368