Button Gwinnett Theatre brings the arts to county

There's something about being stalled in a daily commute that makes business ventures closer to home seem worth the risk. Such was the case with the Button Gwinnett Theatre.

In fact, Gwinnett's professional theatre group got its start among the fumes of rush hour traffic on I-285.

One hot, sticky June day in 2006 Gwinnett actress Mary Carolyn Conti and Celia Rosenblum, another local actress, were navigating their way downtown for a rehearsal when both began to wonder aloud why in the world a county as big and sophisticated as Gwinnett didn't have more theatre opportunities.

"This was a big, growing county where people love the arts, but there was very little in the way of professional theatre," said Conti, founder and artistic director of The Button Theatre.

So instead of just moaning about the lack of opportunities, Conti and Rosenblum (along with Rosenblum's husband, also a professional actor) began the process of establishing a professional theatre in Gwinnett.

They selected a board of directors, incorporated and got a non-profit status, then set about fundraising for their first production – "Godspell" in July 2007.

Now beginning its third year, The Button Theatre is firmly planted at the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts at the Gwinnett Arena. Usually, the group produces three shows yearly – mostly Broadway musicals – but this year hopes to expand to four or five shows.

"The response (to the theatre) has been very positive," said Conti. "People say there is definitely a need for something like this in Gwinnett."

The Button Theatre is different from the various community theatres in that the performers get paid. This generally allows them to cast better talent in their shows.

Another difference with this theatre is that a portion of the proceeds from each show is given to a specific local charity.

This was Conti's idea, and she selects each charity and tries to match it with the theme of the show. For example, the local Humane Society received proceeds from "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown." And in a further tie-in to Snoopy, adopted dogs and their owners gathered in the lobby during one show and patrons received information about pet adoptions.

An upcoming performance of "Nunsense" – which features an all-female cast – will donate proceeds to local Girl Scout troops.

"This is something I'm very big into," said Conti about the charity donations. "It's always been very important to me to give back."

To raise money for future productions and charities, the theatre will host its First Annual Winter Wonderland – a Dessert Cabaret and Silent Auction on Monday, Dec. 1 at the Gwinnett Arena beginning at 7 p.m.

The night will include Christmas and holiday favorites, jazz and big band standards, as well as a few surprises. Entertainment will be provioded by some of Atlanta's best talent – including Maura Carey Neill, Ben Neill, Jennifer Hendrickson and Charlie Bradshaw.

Desserts and other concessions will be provided by Proof of the Pudding.

Tickets are $20. To order, or for more information about the theatre visit www.buttontheatre.com.
- www.gwinnettherald.com

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