Senior early childhood education major Cory Ott is the prime example of making your dreams a reality as the owner of The Wadsworth Footlighters Theater Production Company. Since his solo in his kindergarten musical, Ott has fallen in love with theater to the point that he just cannot leave the stage. Spending most of his middle school and high school years participating in any production he could find, it was no surprise that when he came to Otterbein he could not leave his theater life behind.
Searching through the different local production companies for a chance to direct, Ott found no one who would give him a chance. “I wanted to direct a show, and no one was letting an 18 year old direct at their theater because I didn’t have any experience,” he said. “So when you want something you have to go after it. I started with a small production and it took off from there. We got the name from a historical theater company in Wadsworth that disbanded roughly 20 or so years ago and assumed the name when past members gave us blessings to use it.”
Now having finished six productions under The Wadsworth, not including a number of smaller shows, The Wadsworth Footlighters continues to push through their fourth season with the support of their community. “I have a board of directors that do a lot of the work but we are run primarily by volunteers, which includes community members as well as parents of the cast and crew of each show. The actors and crew members are people within the community and anyone that wants to be a part of the show. Our last show had a cast of 30 children, ages seven to 16, and eight crew members, but again it depends on the type of show and whether it is a musical or play.”
Even senior Maura Breen said she feels at home with The Wadsworth Footlighters. “I’ve been involved with theater during high school and loved it, so when a friend asked if I could help out (with a show), I agreed, and that’s how I met Cory,” she said. “We became friends during the time put into the show and I offered to continue helping with future shows. My job was to help with costumes and makeup as well as acquiring props/making props, moving the set throughout the show and anything else Cory needed help with.”
Breen has been able to see firsthand how Ott has developed Footlighters into what it is today.“Cory’s theater has grown a lot since I’ve known him, and I’m proud of him for all he has accomplished. There have been a few struggles but Cory has pushed through, pouring his heart and soul into every effort to keep his theater running and to continue to making it grow.”
Ott now hopes Otterbein helps students like him with a number of interests find their place as well as have goals for his theater company. “I want Otterbein to help the arts by doing more for those who love theater but are not necessarily theater majors,” he said. “The Wadsworth Footlighters is a small theater and we hope to grow. I also wish that everyone would know that theater can change lives, and ‘all the world’s a stage.’”
