Volunteers Donate Time, Talent to Encore Theatre

is just over two weeks away from the opening night of its third season, and the cast and crew are busy prepping everything from sets and lights to learning lines, songs and blocking (how, when and where the actors move on the stage).

The Encore, a professional nonprofit theater company that uses equity actors from across the country, will open its 2011 season Feb. 4 with Little Women: The Musical. The story is based on the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott and follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March as they grow up during the Civil War.

Dan Cooney, the theater's co-founder, said he is excited about the upcoming show. While the cast has been in full rehearsal for the past several weeks, Cooney, along with local residents Jim Conklin and Ron Bruce, have been hard at work building the set.

“(The set) is coming a long very nicely," Cooney said. "Jim and Ron have donated countless hours of time and skill to the Encore, which helps us continue producing such high-quality shows.”

Cooney said the theater often leans on volunteers in the community to help offset production costs in the slower winter months.

“Both Jim and Ron have been with us for a while," Cooney said. "They help us when the budget gets tight.

"When we ask for assistance, our community volunteers really step up and help out," Cooney said. "That is how we’re able to stretch a $20,000 budget to a $30,000 budget.”

Bruce, a retired carpenter, said he got involved with the Encore two years ago after reading an ad in the newspaper calling for volunteers.

“I literally walked in and said, ‘I’m here to help. What do you need me to do?’ ”

Cooney said he, Conklin and Bruce have been working on the set for Little Women five days a week for the past two weeks.

“They are our heroes for the month,” Cooney said.

Conklin said he enjoys working on the various sets but especially likes seeing the finished product in use on stage.

“It’s a nice feeling of accomplishment,” he said. “It’s great to be a part of such a quality theater.”

Bruce agreed.

“The Encore puts on a really good show, and it's something that a lot of people enjoy,” he said. “I hope they will continue to operate here in Dexter.”

Little Women will star Katie Hardy of Bloomfield Township as Jo, Thalia Schramm of Ann Arbor as Meg, Cara AnnMarie of Ann Arbor as Beth, Madison Deadman of Howell as Amy, Sonja Marquis of Hamburg Township as Marmee and Sean Widener of New York as Laurie.

Performances begin Feb. 4 and run through Feb. 20.  Lunch packages from are available for the 3 p.m. performance Feb. 17. On Feb. 19, The Encore’s popular Cabaret Night will follow the 8 p.m. performance.

Tickets for all performances are on sale now and may be purchased online at theencoretheatre.org or by calling 734-268-6200.