By Candler Lowe, Campus Carrier Arts & Living Editor

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY MADISON BRINSON

Freshman Madison Brinson stars as Belle in Rome Little Theatre’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.” Brinson enjoyed her role as Belle because it showed her how theater can have a positive impact on people’s lives.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Rome Little Theatre. The company housed at the DeSoto Theatre holds a significant place in the hearts of many students, including senior Cardie McClure and freshman Madison Brinson. 

“Rome Little Theatre is something like a second home to me,” Brinson said. “I’ve spent much of my time there and am thankful that I have. Rome Little Theatre made me love theater.”

Brinson started with the company in 2009 when she was 11 years old. Her first show was “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Since her first performance, she has been in many other plays, worked in the hair and makeup room, been an assistant stage manager and acted as a choreographer.

Brinson said that the reason she began to participate in shows at the theater was the influence of her then acting coach Sherrie Bacon. She was part of the reason that Brinson auditioned for “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” in which she got a part as an Oompa Loompa.

“I would have never known that I had a passion for theater until I took her classes,” Brinson said.

Brinson credits her involvement with theater performances at Berry to the time that she spent with the company because of how it drew her to love theater.

“Rome Little Theatre has had numerous influences on me, but the biggest would probably be that it has shown me the impact I can have on others,” Brinson said. “That I can achieve things I didn’t know I could.”

Although Brinson does not plan on being on the stage this season, she said she tries to volunteer in whatever way she can each year.

McClure started with the company her freshman year of high school in their 2010 production of “My Fair Lady.” She went on to perform in eight shows before she graduated high school.

McClure credits a lot of her love of theater to her time with RLT, but she learned other things from her time there.

“You don’t stop growing as a person or an actress,” McClure said 

Brinson also noticed how the company helped her grow as a person. Instance in which she felt she was really able to connect with others in a positive way was when she played Belle in “Beauty and the Beast.”

Many children would come to the show dressed as Belle and and that their eyes would light up when they got to meet her dressed as Belle.

“I realized then that theater is not only about the performing, but it’s also about the way the performer makes the audience feel,” Brinson said. “Seeing the happiness in those kids was more than I ever could have hoped I would get out of playing a part.” 

To celebrate 60 years, the company put on “Forever Plaid,” a show that transported the audience back to the 1950s and RLT’s inception. The show ran from Aug. 19 through Aug. 28. 

Next, the company will perform “The Ascension of Twyla Potts” Oct. 13 through 16 and “Into the Woods” Dec. 2 through 11. As a part of their anniversary celebration, the theater will have opening night parties for all of their productions.