OCP HISTORY & SCRAPBOOK
The Beginnings
Old Colony Players was organized June 4, 1935 in the home of Mr.and Mrs. Henry Pascal of Valdese, NC under the sponsorship of the Valdese PTA.The club was organized to provide one to three act plays for the Valdese PTA and its members and thus to the community. The first elected officers were: Dan Bounous Jr.--President, Mrs. Yates S. Palmer--V.P., Mrs. J. Francis Tron Jr.--Secretary, and Dr. J.P. Reece--Treasurer. For the next seven years the club met in fairly regular monthly meetings. Business activities were conducted and poetry readings, word pictures and original one act plays were presented. The club held annual picnics and had an annual banquet, usually served in the dining room of a local hotel, such as the Burkemont Hotel in Morganton. In 1941 the banquet was held at a hotel in Lenoir, NC.
The first play presented by Old Colony Players on September 11, 1935 was "Wild Ginger" a three act comedy/drama. The second play "The Girl in the Fur Coat" was given March 20, 1936. The play was so well received that OCP took the play "on the road", first to Salem on April 7 and then to Glen Alpine on April 24, 1936. On June 12, 1936 in conjunction with the Valdese Textile Baseball Club the three act musical comedy "Sky High" was given. This play was performed under special arrangement with a professional company in Kansas City, MO. Miss Madeline White of Kansas City, MO was the director. Other plays presented by the club were: "Little Women" by Louisa Alcott in 1937 and 1939, the first royalty play presented; "Gaius and Gaius Jr." a one act comedy in August 1936; "Miss Molley" a two act comedy/drama in the same August 1936 performance; "Clouds and Sunshine" a three act comedy by W.C. Herman in March 1939; "Frank and Erma" a one act comedy in October 1939; "Ann Drives the Car" a one act play in 1940; and "Ready Made Family" by Jay Tobias in April 1941. "Penance" an orginal play by Reese Scull was presented over WHKY in Hickory on July 9, 1940 by the Old Colony Players.
Some names of early members include: Dorothy Lowdermilk, Geneva Messer, Mrs. Yates Palmer, Oscar Harris, Lee Harris, Cole Savage(editor of the Valdese News section of the News-Herald), Rev. G. F. Hood, Roy Riddle, Henry Bounous, Hattie Pearle, Jeanette Leger, Helene Peyronel, Rose Perrou, Frankie Pons, Dr. J. P. Reece, Mrs. Henry J. Pascal, Walt Sala, Margaret Suttle, Elsie Pascal, Elizabeth Guigou, Rhynehardt Sherrill, Kenneth Sherrill, Ruth Martin, Madeline Dalmas, Melonie Bounous, Ruby Little, Eva Grill, Mrs. George Squillario, Clare Burch, Charles Burgin, Romilda Pascal, Reese Scull, Majorie Ledbetter, and Buddy Glass.
At a meeting in July 1942 Old Colony Players met in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Pascal and voted to disband. With WWII going on, the conclusion was reached by all that the interests of the majority of the members had changed, and also, the fact that the Army and war work were taking many members away from Valdese. The last official act of the club was to approve an appropriation for a wedding gift for Miss Clare Burch and Charles Burgin. All remaining cash assets of the club, make-up, costumes, and other items were turned over to Valdese High School.
At the time it was disbanded in 1942, Old Colony Players was a member of the National Council of Little Theaters. The club had been active in civic and social affairs of Valdese since its organization and co-operated with other clubs in conducting welfare work in Valdese and generously donating funds to many worthy causes.
In 1967 Fred Cranford, a Charlotte schoolteacher and Burke County native, was hired by the Burke County Public Schools as Director of the Burke County Cultural Heritage Program to compile a history of Burke County. As part of his research into Burke County History, Mr. Cranford became interested in the history of Valdese and the Waldenses in particular.
In May of 1967 Mr. Cranford, along with Florine Powell, Roy Abee and Geneva Hiergesell a reporter for the Valdese News, decided to see if there would be any interest in reviving the Old Colony Players. A public meeting was set for June 13, 1967 at the Valdese Community Center. The first announcement of this meeting appeared in the May 24, 1967 edition of the Valdese News. In the same newspaper a separate article appeared concerning a meeting of the Valdese Lions Club. During that meeting Fred Cranford presented a proposal for an outdoor theater to be built on Burke County School Property. The first drawing of the proposed theater appeared in the May 31, 1967 edition of the Valdese News.
Old Colony Players was officially reorganized at a meeting on June 13, 1967. Fred Cranford was elected as President, Roy Abee--Vice President, Larry Fletcher--Treasurer, Peggy Ballard--Secretary, and Bill Rollins of WSVM Radio and Geneva Hiergesell--Publicity Chairmen. A second meeting was set for June 20, 1967.
At the June 20th meeting the Old Colony Players decided to have fund raisers to get money to produce plays and to contribute to the building of the outdoor theater. Plans were set for OCP's first production on July 28-29. This program was to be called the "First Annual Burke Music Festival". Vertie Burns was selected to be the chairman of the event. Florine Powell was to be in charge of the dance section. A group of Valdese Children would be selected to present the Waldensian folk dance the courenta. The courenta would be danced to the recorded music of "Le Cou Cou" played on the accordion by Valdese Fireman Henry Pascal. Other dance groups would perform as well as a number of singers and bands. The event was to be held on the Valdese High School football field.
The "First Annual Burke Music Festival" turned out to be very successful although rain began before the first intermission of the first night. Senator Sam J. Ervin Jr. was on hand to open the festivities. Many people stayed for the entire performance even through the rain. A black choir sang bareheaded in the rain before a very appreciative audience. Many people returned for the second night to see and hear the performers again.
At the July 11 meeting of Old Colony Players, the group decided that since the plans for the music festival were going so well that a second fund raiser would be held on August 11, 1967, also on the football field. This event would be a "battle of the bands" directed by Lenoir Lowdermilk (This production turned out to be very successful). Lee Harris was elected as Church Relations Chairman. An announcement was also made that the descendants of Albert Tron had offered the old Tron barn as a home for Old Colony Players. The barn was to be cleaned up, a stage built at one end and lights added. (As far as I can determine, the Tron Barn was never used by OCP except to store the OCP parade float). The yearly membership for Old Colony Players was set at $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children at least high school age.
The first reading of the first act of Fred Crandford's newly written drama was presented at the September 5, 1967 meeting at the home of Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Parker, and was received enthusiastically by those in attendance. It had been decided at a previous meeting that Old Colony's first dramatic production would have to be presented in the Valdese School Auditorium because there was no heat in the Tron barn. A "Hootenany" was scheduled for Sep. 23. Old Colony Players' first play since reorganization was presented February 28-29, 1968 at the Valdese School Auditorium. Fred Cranford directed the play "Blithe Spirit" by Noel Coward. The cast included Mary Sherrill--Ruth, John Palm--Charles, Sherry Garrou--Spirit of Elvira, Beth Palm--Madame Areati, Clementine Butler--Edith, Roy Abee and Alice Deaton--Dr. and Mrs. Bradman, and Horace Brown Asst. Director. This presentation was successful and established Old Colony Players as a producer of quality theater productions. On March 7, 1968 the first reading of the second act of the new drama was held during an Old Colony Players' meeting and a second play production was scheduled for April 25, 26, 27.
"No. No. A Million Times No." or "Only a Farmer's Daughter" was Old Colony's second play production given in the Valdese Elementary School auditorium. The cast list for this melodrama included: Beth Palm, Director, John Palm, Pat Cooper, Rocky Carswell, Brenda Maltba, Connie Lambert, Beverly White, Lucinda Moose, Horace Brown, Judy Causby, Debbie Green, Joel Sigmon, accompanist, Mary Wheylan, Max Scruggs and Vertalee Burns, Music Director.
Valdese celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1968. Part of the celebration activities included a drama entitled "The Land is Good". This original production presented by the 75th Anniversary Committee was directed by George Elias of the Rodgers Company and included a cast of over 300 people. Over 7000 tickets were sold for this event. Old Colony's contribution for the 75th anniversary was the new outdoor drama "From This Day Forward" written by OCP President, Fred Cranford. Rehearsals began in the newly constructed amphitheatre on June 17, 1968. The drama production dates were set for August 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, and 24.
The original main cast for "From This Day Forward" was: Gigi Grill-Director and Anna, Florine Powell-Choreographer and Costumer, Lynn Lockrow-Lighting, Stage Design and Captain Gabriel, Pat Westbrook-Make-up, Elizabeth Henry Power-Lighting Assistant, Lee Harris-Dr. Tron and Pastor, Jack Lambert-Jean Bounnous, Kenneth Murray-Louis Richard, John Heilman-Emmanuel, Roy Abee-1st soldier and George Hauss, France Davis-2nd soldier, Pat Westbrook-Gustine, Horace Brown-Louis Pons, Junior Johnson-Pastor Perou, Carl Burns-Piedmontese soldier and John Long, Kerry Murphy-Emmanuel, Vertie Burns-Mrs. Van Gough, Peggy Ballard-Farmer's wife, Nunn Carswell-Local farmer, Dennis Carswell-Joe, Bruce Brinkley-Fred, Jennie Burns-RoseAlba, Connie Lambert-Ermeline, Mary Sherrill-Duchess of Savoy and Widow Gaydou, and Jack Lambert-Doctor, Reese Scull-John Long, Sylvia Hildebran-Catherine Long, Michael Powell-Son, Gene Seals-Louis XIV, Larry Fletcher-Duke of Savoy, Richard Burton-Narrator and Papa, Mary Johnson-Mama, Maxine McCall-Margaret Gaydou, Larry Griffin-Henri, and Ronald Powell-Farmer. The opening weekend was attended by Sen. Sam J. Ervin, Jr. and was highly acclaimed in the papers for its acting, costuming and impact of its story. The only disappointment was the poor attendance with only about 200 people attending for the first weekend. However attendance increased substantially for the next two weekends and by season's end everyone was very pleased with the final numbers.
The drama "From this Day Forward" marked a new era in Old Colony Players' history. With the success of the first production, the Valdese Town Council and Mayor Gerald Baker issued, in September 1968, a proclamation expressing "appreciation for the success of 'From this Day Forward' and encouraging all citizens to continue to work for and promote an annual drama". That proclamation was almost prophetic, since "From This Day Forward" produced by Old Colony Players has continued for thirty-three seasons more. Furthermore, Old Colony Players, now based at the Old Rock School Auditorium (formerly Valdese Elementary School), is still actively producing other quality theatrical productions throughout the year.
Part of the information for this page was taken from microfilmed copies of The News-Herald of Morganton and The Valdese News, available at the Morganton-Burke Library in Morganton, NC. Thanks also go to Bill Poteat, former Editor of The News-Herald, for allowing me to go through the archives of the News-Herald to gather more information.
The oval shield of the emblem of the Waldensian Church is encircled with the Latin inscription, "Lux Lucet In Tenebris", or "The light shineth in the darkness." Within the oval a lighted candle spreads its light as a reminder of the Savior's command, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven, Matthew 5:16. Encircling the lighted candle are seven golden stars representing the angels of the seven early churches in the book of Revelations. The use of the seven stars suggests the antiquity of the Waldensian Church. The stars appear on a field of dark blue representing the darkness of night.
Two green branches, one of oak usually on the right and one of laurel usually on the left, tied together with a light blue ribbon partially surround the shield. The green oak symbolizes strength or power. The green laurel stands for hope and glory. Together they represent the hope, power and glory of God. Often the Waldensian Seal is shown with only two branches of laurel. This laurel wreath represents "The Church Triumphant."
A Waldensian Seal, hand carved by Mr. J. Edward Garrou hangs in the Waldensian Museum.
I would like to add a page with pictures to form a scrapbook. If you have any pictures to share, send a message to Webmaster on the home page. Thanks.
Remember......Creativity takes
Back to Old Colony Players Home Page
Back to Old Colony Player's Administration
Back to Directions