Story and photograph by Deb Peterson
Imagine meeting your four best friends from the college swim team at the same beach cottage on North Carolina’s Outer Banks every August until you’re, well, a lot older.
It’s the ultimate girlfriend getaway, and you can live it vicariously at The Dixie Swim Club, playing at the Twin Lakes Playhouse in Mountain Home this September.
“Friendship is one of the most important things in life,” says Director Deb Smith. “Friends take care of each other.”
The play follows five Southern women:
Sheree, played by Carol Eberhard, is the spunky team captain desperately trying to maintain her “perfect” life;
Dinah, played by Debby Stanuch, is the wisecracking overachiever in the courtroom, but alas, not in her personal life;
Lexie, played by Angie Cotter, is pampered, outspoken, over-married, and determined to look young forever;
Vernadette, played by Patty Kotlicky, is the funny one, acutely aware of the dark cloud hanging over her; and
Jeri Neal, played by Karen McKaig, is sweet, eager to please, and, surprisingly, pregnant.
“We watch the growth of these women and see how marvelous they have become,” Deb says.
She still cries when she reads the end.
“I look for roles strong women can shine in,” she says. “And I look for plays that are funny.”
This one has it all. It’s the third all-female production Deb has directed at the playhouse. Paula Hill is the assistant director.
“I fell in love with directing,” Deb says, “because I can watch people tap into their imaginations and build their characters. Community theatre is about learning as you go.”
Her personal motto is: Make a difference in someone’s life.
From every aspect, this play is about exactly that—making a difference in the lives of your lifelong friends and your fellow community members, and making an impact on the audience going with you on the journey.
The Twin Lakes Playhouse is always looking for new members, many of whom never appear on stage.
“There are lots of different jobs,” Deb says.
The theatre’s 100 members produce four to eight plays every year. To get involved, call 870-424-0444.
See you at The Dixie Swim Club!
M! August/September 2012
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