Act 1: Sumner's Vagabond Theater

While it’s possible you have never heard of Act 1 Theatre Productions, they're hard to miss around Sumner.

Members take the form of Rhubarbarians, Norman Rockwell characters, zombies, living scarecrows and dancing farmers, who have brought smiles to Sumner faces at local events like the and the for the last three years. Sassy nuns were recently added the character roster in the group’s latest production, Nunsense, now playing through June 10.

Armed with a city partnership, non-profit status and a lifetime of training, founder and Bonney Lake resident Petra Karr is ready to take Act 1 from a motley group of local performers to an organization focused on building community.

Karr dreams of partnerships with local schools and a full-time academy with a wide range of theater classes.  She wants to offer more sword-fighting workshops, produce original plays and offer bilingual performances.

These dreams come with big payout for the community – but at a price. With limited funding and a small rented space, Karr and the Act 1 team struggle to keep residents informed on upcoming performances and how to get involved.

“A huge hindrance for us is that we don’t have a regular space,” said Karr. “It’s hard to feel like you’re producing shows at the quality you want when you’re struggling so much.”

Act 1 currently rents a warehouse located behind the Garden Center at Sumner’s Fred Meyer. With only a purple banner outside and an unfinished sidewalk out front, most theatergoers have trouble finding the venue.

“We’ve literally had actors with flashlights out there directing people where to go,” said Karr. “Even if you Google Map it, you couldn’t find us.”

Karr’s group is the only tenant running a business out of the rented warehouse and they have to be sensitive to their apartment neighbors. When the script calls for a gunshot or blood-curdling scream, Act 1 team members deliver the message to their neighbors with a smile and a plate of cookies.

When it comes to other options, Act 1 can’t afford and availability is limited. For now, Act 1 plans to stay in the Investco warehouse until their lease is up next May.

“We’re looking for a new space,” said Karr. “It’s a huge long shot, but you never know.”

In lieu of a permanent home, the Sumner theater group has made the most with what they’ve got – big personalities who entertain residents and Sumner guests at outdoor events around town.

After Nunsense winds up, the Act 1 Dancing Farmers all day at Rhubarb Days in Heritage Park on Saturday, July 14. There, actors will recreate the history of Sumner on the back porch of the Ryan House Museum. Then, at the Rhubarb Art and Rhubarb Pie Festival in August, the Rhubarbarians will present a "virtual ride" called the Rhubarb Rumpus. They are choreographing a dance event for the opening festivities at Relay for Life.

The next major production will be School House Rock Live and will be performed the last three weekends in September, under the big tent at The Old Cannery Furniture Warehouse.

Act 1 also hosts monthly themed potlucks called , open to the community and an opportunity to donate to the Sumner Food Bank . Acting classes for children and adults are offered at the studio year-round, with specialties in stage combat and character development.

Karr hopes that the community will embrace Act 1 and that, maybe with the help of some scallywag Rhubarbarians and pirates, the group will commandeer a permanent home in town.

 “I grew up doing theater and a lot of it was small. Lots of bigger theaters are going to back to smaller things now, because of the economy,” said Karr. “We’re used to doing things on the fly, because we’re done something with nothing for so long. And no matter what, we will continue to do it, because we can’ t help it. We love it!”

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To learn more about Act 1 Theatre Productions:

Read Petra's blog on Patch!

Check out , with showtimes on June 7, 8 and 9. Read the Patch review later today!

Visit the Act 1 Theatre website

'Like' their Facebook page