The 100 Mile Performing Arts Society put on quite a show for local audiences recently.
Close to 350 people caught the local community theatre group's production of Art of Murder, a light-hearted murder mystery written by playwright Joe DiPietro, which ran at Martin Exeter Hall, Feb. 5-7.
Gord Smith made his directorial debut, and 100 Mile Performing Arts Society newcomers, Kaitlynn Dewhirst and Rachel Guindon, also took the stage.
“We had a lot of positive responses afterwards from people leaving the show,” Smith says.
“I think we succeeded in entertaining the audience, which, to me, is always your purpose of putting on the show.”
Eric Storteboom and Shawn Nelson were also cast members.
“I think they all worked very hard,” Smith says of his cast.
“They certainly put in a lot of time with their parts. What impressed me most, beside their talent, was their work ethic.”
His directorial debut was also quite the experience.
“I was nervous as the show went on,” he recalls with a laugh.
“You never know what to expect. It's sort of out of your control. You work with the actors and you prepare them, but once they take the stage, it's their stage.”
While it was at times a nerve-racking experience, Smith says he enjoyed it and would like to direct another play, should the opportunity present itself in the future.
He also thanked the community for coming out to the show.
“A lot of places don't get that kind of support from their community for theatre, and we really appreciate the support we have.”
Next up for the 100 Mile Performing Arts Society is a March production of The Melville Boys, a play by renowned Canadian writer Norm Foster, directed by Chris Adams.
