Allegany College of Maryland revives “The Lightbearer” as fundraiser with visiting actors
The light is coming back.
Celebrating its fifth anniversary, “The Lightbearer” by Shane Riggs will return to the Allegany College of Maryland theatre.
But this time around, the show has a mission.
Produced by the Allegany College of Maryland Center for Continuing Education and Institute for Professional and Cultural Development, the production will also serve as a fundraiser for a new scholarship for non traditional nursing students. The scholarship was founded earlier this year by Riggs in memory of his sister, Teri Stephens, who had intended to study nursing.
Twenty five percent of all the proceeds raised from the three day production will be placed into a scholarship for non traditional nursing students. The scholarship money could be made available to applicants as early then as Summer 2010.
"If my sister had survived her cancer she wanted to become a nurse. It was her intention to attend Allegany College," said Riggs. "Until her diagnosis, she was actively pursuing the program. And she never lost faith that one day she would recover and be a nursing student. I remember her telling me once as she went through chemotherapy that she thought maybe it was God’s design to have her experience what it was like to survive cancer so she could inspire others with her firsthand experience."
The entire three day run of the production -- including a special gourmet catered opening night reception -- will serve as a fundraiser for seed money that will launch The Lightbearer Scholarship. Once a year, for as long as money in the account is available, a $500 scholarship will be granted to one non traditional nursing student at Allegany College of Maryland.
"It will hopefully be used to help train more nurses like the local nurses that my family encountered every single day for nearly 19 months," he said.
In addition to being a fundraiser, the show will also feature a never before seen cast of the play. “The Lightbearer” will be presented by the same actors and directors from a 2006 North Canton, Ohio fully staged version of the show. That production won eight community theatre "Georgie" awards in Ohio including Best Actress, Best Ensemble Cast and Best Original Production.
The play will star visiting thespians Linda Daniels, Marie Graelis, Stephanie Hester, Cheryl Smith and Era Lynn Tripp and will be directed by Jay Spencer. Two local actors will make surprise cameo appearances. The production is also being presented in part by a grant from the Allegany Arts Council.
“The Lightbearer” was first staged in April, 2004 at the New Embassy Theatre and was then revived by Allegany College of Maryland that November. The play is very loosely based on actual events in the life of Riggs' maternal grandmother and spans 50 years of a friendship between five women. The show also references many past and present Allegany County landmarks like Dan's Rock, Peskin's Department Store, Burton's Menswear and Curtis' Coney Island.
“The Lightbearer” will run at Allegany College of Maryland's Student Center Theatre November 20-22. A $25 ticket to Friday's opening performance provides admission to a gourmet catered reception and a meet and greet with the visiting actors and director. Saturday night's show and Sunday's afternoon matinee are $15 general admission. Tickets can be obtained by calling the college at 301-784-5338. They are also available at the the Allegany Arts Council by calling 301-777-ARTS (2787) or visiting them at 9 N. Centre Street in Downtown Cumberland.
