     |
 |
| Governor's Scholar Ryan Schuler explains the comparisons between the Playhouse's marketing ideas and the competition. |
The project, which involved the scholars in everything from painting the amphitheater to offering marketing and business suggestions, was the brainchild of Anita Lee-Post, associate professor of decision science and information systems at the University of Kentucky. Lee-Post says she had read an article about the Playhouse in the Lexington Herald-Leader and was impressed by the vision of founder Eben C. Henson, who started his theater in 1950 and ran it continuously for 55 years until his passing last April. His wife Charlotte and daughter Holly have kept Pioneer Playhouse running for the two seasons since his death. Not only was Lee-Post inspired by the Hensons' story, she also thought Pioneer Playhouse would be a great subject for her business and economic theory course. "I wanted to give the students an example of a business that grows out of a dream, one that serves a community need and is not just about making money," says Lee-Post. The scholars made four trips to Pioneer Playhouse. On the first visit Playhouse artistic director Holly Henson described the operation and its history. On subsequent visits the scholars watched rehearsals, caught a performance and helped out wherever they could, painting the performance space as well as the antique pioneer village and various walls and fences. Back in the classroom Lee-Post divided the scholars into small groups to discuss how the theories they'd learned about in class applied to the Playhouse. On their final visit to the theater they presented numerous well-thought-out ideas for better marketing and grant opportunities. "I researched a web site about why people go to outdoor dramas," says Holly Stanek of Villa Hills. "They're often looking for an educational experience, so I'm going to suggest performing a play by Shakespeare." "I'm absolutely amazed about how this place was built up from scratch," says Julia Morgan of Owensboro. "I've never been to anything like this before, but I love the idea of the outdoor theater." "They made these floors out of telephone poles," she notes, pointing down at the handsome flooring. Indeed, the resourcefulness of Eben Henson in building the Playhouse is the stuff of legend. Several of the Playhouse structures feature pieces of old Centre College buildings, including five truss beams that came from the old gym. (Henson gave a fifth of whiskey for each one the crane driver would load onto his truck.) For her part, Holly Henson thought it was a great experience for all involved. She found the scholars' contributions, both mental and physical, extremely useful and welcomes the idea of the scholars returning on a regular basis. "We just had a VIP night Wednesday (July 27) with Jim Host, Kentucky Secretary of Commerce, in attendance, along with numerous Playhouse board members," says Henson. "Everyone commented that it was the best the Playhouse had ever looked," says Henson. "And that's thanks to the scholars. We couldn't have done it without them." Pioneer Playhouse produces five shows each summer. Performances run Tuesdays through Saturdays through August 20. For more information, call (859) 236-2747 or visit http://www.pioneerplayhouse.com. - end - Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/ For news archives go to http://www.centre.edu/web/news/newsarchive.html.
Congressman Chandler announces internships for Centre students Full story.
From Frisbees to fish, Governor’s Scholars are catching it all June 30, 2005 Full story.
Governor’s Scholars flock back to Centre campus June 23, 2005 Full story.
Communications Office
Centre College
600 W. Walnut Street
Danville, KY 40422
Public Information Coordinator: Telephone 859-238-5714