For years, my daughter, Bethany, grew up watching me write, produce, and direct plays and programs for the various schools and church groups I worked for.  She couldn't wait until she was in high school and old enough to be in my drama program - and be in one of my plays!

However, by the time she was in high school, I wasn't on staff at a school anymore and had begun to freelance my talents as Pageant Wagon Productions.  She wanted more than the one play a year drama experience she had in her new school and begged me to do one of my shows.  But, how, I thought?  I don't have a place, a drama class, any money to produce the show . . . 

"Why not make it a Pageant Wagon Production?"  she suggested very matter-of-factly.  "My friends could be in it!"

Now, of course, I wouldn't work with just anyone and call them Pageant Wagon - but . . . I had watched a number of her classmates over the last couple of years and thought of a script I  had produced when I taught in Massachusetts.   A simple little melodrama that I had had great success with titled, "The Great Estate."  I wrote it for a class I was teaching at the time and felt that, from among her classmates, I just might be able to cast it anew.  So, I did.

And, the Pageant Wagon Production of Old Fashioned American Melodrama Summer Family Theatre was born, debuting the summer of 2005 at Cumberland County Community Church in Millville due to the generousity of Pastor Sal Roggio who allowed us the use of the church facility. 

I thought it would be a one shot deal.   The Pageant Wagon Players had other ideas. 

Here they are in a few early shots from our debut production of, "The Great Estate."

 

The Great Estate by Kathryn Ross (c) renewed 2005,  A Pageant Wagon Production

CAST OF CHARACTERS