CCPA's new green room project nears completion

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Daily Mail

The Community Council on the Performing Arts has nearly completed its latest addition -- a green room for performers.

The CCPA has been delighting audiences in Nevada since 1973. During that time the group often had to make do with borrowed accommodations and makeshift stages to put on its shows.

Al Fenske, CCPA director and retired Cottey professor, said the group started out in an auction house.

"We started out in Welty's Cow Palace," Fenske said. "We put on productions there for awhile and then we went where we could find space."

The list of venues the group made use of in its more than 30 years of existence is a long one. The auditorium at Saint Francis Convent, which is now Heartland Hospital, hosted several plays. CCPA made use of the high school auditorium, the middle school auditorium, the Nevada Community Center, Marmaduke Park, Cottey, church basements, the Little Alley Theater and the Red Brick Playhouse before alighting in its permanent home, the Fox Playhouse.

Over the years many generous donors have financially supported the group with its endeavors and Kim Bessey, CCPA president, said they were all appreciated.

"The Moss Foundation has been very generous to us and, of course, Jim and Barbara Labitska," Bessey said. "Their challenge grant made the green room a reality. That's what it took for us to see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Other means of raising money were used including having a fishbowl on the concession counter during performances.

"We had the fishbowl and that may seem silly, but it made a difference," Bessey said. "It took it all, all the different fund-raisers, to get enough money."

Fenske said the green room is nearing completion.

"They're putting up wallboard now and mudding the joints," Fenske said. "They should be done by February."

Despite the fact that the group now has enough money to build the green room, albeit with volunteer labor, there are other areas of the playhouse that need attention.

"If you look around there are still things that need to be done," Bessey said. "We still need the community's help. It's like they say, you need a village."