The End Of An Era

As one curtain closes, still many others may open— our local communities continue a legacy of the arts

In August, The REP Theatre announced a final curtain call as it wrapped its last season after a 25-year run.

In its time, The REP was a significant contributor to the arts for the Seaside community and beyond. The organization was dedicated to its mission of creating lasting memories for the local families and countless visitors who have graced its audiences. The board of directors made the difficult decision to close the theater after facing a convergence of significant challenges.

I was honored to serve under Mike Kerrigan for a very short tenure on The REP’s board. In my short time with the organization, I can attest to the impact this theater has made on hundreds of thousands of people, an impact that will continue to live on.

There were inspirational musical performances, each holding special memories for all who attended. There were the kids camps that inspired confidence in young and aspiring talents. And there were the many talented theatrical performances witnessed in town centers all around the 30A area. There are so many moments and memories that will continue to be shared through a community of creatives on which The REP left its mark.

I had the pleasure of inviting Kuk and Lisa Harrell to one of the last musical performances at The REP, The Sock Joplin Trio. Kuk, who you can read about later in this issue, is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer. He and Lisa joined me along with my partner and his three young children. It was an experience that will live with me always.

The blend of classical music, bebop, neo-soul, and hip-hop created a musical time warp that encapsulated us all. Getting to experience it right next to the Harrells, who have planted roots in our community as artists working to provide access and opportunity for young and aspiring musicians, was an epiphany moment. I can only dream of the legacy that will continue with not only people like Kuk but the hundreds of others that felt something special in that space and are inspired to ripple the influence of connection, inspiration, and impact. It is a ripple effect that only the arts can elicit.

In announcing its closure, The REP’s board of directors released the following statement:

“We extend our deepest gratitude to every audience member who shared a laugh or a tear, every volunteer who gave their time, and every artist who poured their heart out on our stage. We are profoundly thankful to the generous donors, sponsors, and foundations who invested in our mission, and to the dedicated board of directors, past and present, who volunteered their time and wisdom to guide this organization. A special thank you goes to our founders, Craige Hoover and Jennifer Steele, whose vision sparked this 25-year journey. To every community member who believed in the power of theatre: You were the lifeblood of this organization.”

The impact can be felt in that statement alone. It’s an impact that so many have made and will continue to make, carrying on the magic and legacy of The REP. I look forward to the many ways this legacy will be carried on by our local arts communities.

For those who supported The REP, whether as a volunteer, a sponsor, a contributor, or in other ways, I encourage you to allocate those same resources to the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, led by Jennifer Steele, an original founder of The REP. No doubt our community will benefit from the efforts in the arts by Steele and the CAA.

Let’s all break a leg together.

Much love,

McKenzie Burleigh, Publisher