Performance can be a human need

COVID-19 has changed many lives. Whether directly or indirectly, it has changed all of us.

The pandemic has caused a lot of change, and change can be hard. But sometimes things turn out well and sometimes they’re even better. The hard part is the beginning and with a few tweaks and breaks, good things can happen.

Theatre has been a big part of Wimberley’s character for decades. Ask the many professional actors that have started in the valley as graduates of WISD to go on to bigger and better things. Others who moved here to be a part of the local acting community.

Bridget Gates was the Artistic Director at the EmilyAnn Theatre for thirteen years. Think of pre-COVID times, and envision all of the productions that were performed there ranging from kids’ fairytale plays to musicals, with comedy and drama thrown in. All of the sudden, it was done. Nothing, nada… Instantly, no plays could be performed at all.

Like many she found herself looking for a new job. But using her skills, she knew there is a little drama and comedy in each of us – some people more than others.

To some, addressing an audience would cause a heart attack, to others it can be an inner need, relaxing and satisfying to hear the approval of applause.

Enter stage left and the Central Texas Theatre Academy. “We’re in Plaza del Sol in three suites. I had a GoFundMe, got $7,000, moved in, renovated … and the community support has been awesome,” said Bridget.

All classes are mask wearing and with the suites, social distancing is assured. Classes are offered to all age groups. Thirteen years as Artistic Director, she also has been part of the local and Austin theatre scene as a director and actor. “I’ve done some cool stuff. I’ve been lucky.” Shakespeare’s Cleopatra, and other roles and acting at the Zach Theatre are a few of the things that dot her resume.

Bridget grew up in southeast Texas, bordering Louisiana. She graduated from Texas State with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and a BFA in acting and directing. With her mother a special education teacher, education has always been close to her heart.

“With classes canceled (due to COVID) I thought ‘Where are the students going to go?’ I didn’t want to hear they had somewhere else to go. This theatre is family.” She continued.

“Art heals. Some kids don’t fit in. They use their energy for disruption. They need to focus their energy to an outlet.” After a while, even during the pandemic, classes help.

“There’s proper PPE, temperature checks are given at the beginning of class. With the change, it took a few lessons to warm up using the masks… It took a little longer to feel comfortable and being silly around each other. They adjusted so quickly, but yes they can’t play certain improv games,” Bridget said.

“But it is better than not doing it at all. They’re not as connected, its not as ideal, but better than no theatre at all.”

Theatre runs through the family, her husband Kevin is a lecturer at Texas State on Theatre and Dance. They have a seven-year-old daughter.

Her first job in the biz was at Sea World. There are no small roles as they say, and she was “training sea lions and otters. Really. The lions were good at a number of things. You use a lot of child psychology and positive reinforcement, just like working with children.”

Teaching both the young and adults, CTTA is a place to learn about acting, even in this time of masks and social distancing.

For more information see the website at centextheatre.org