Olympic Theatre Arts is showcasing colorful displays of stitched history as it looks to close its run of “Quilters.”
OTA’s Gathering Hall takes on a kind of museum or gallery celebrating the women of the era played in pioneering, echoing the theme of the play that takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 6-7, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at the at Olympic Theatre Arts Center, 414 N. Sequim Ave.
Director Richard Stephens envisioned bringing to cast members and show patrons the rich historical significance of pioneer women to go along with “Quilters” which play chronicles the lives of pioneer women in the early late 1800s and early 1900s.
Stephens called on OTA volunteers Linda Alders and Rosie von Engel to spearhead efforts. Alders’ connections garnered quilts from more than two generations while von Engel lent various treasures of live before television.
The pair contacted Sequim Museum & Arts staff about the project, who loaned more materials for the exhibit — including a special quilt created to represent early Sequim at the same time period of the play.
There are also historic photographs on display from the archives of the North Olympic Library System featuring Sequim women of distinction from that era.
“I hear lots of oooh’s and aaah’s from patrons entering our theatre for the show,” OTA executive director Carol Willis said. “It is so nice to have a pre-show exhibit that keeps people moving and interacting, that’s what community theater is all about.”
One of the featured exhibit quilts was donated by OTA volunteer Marti McAllister Wolf. The quilt is raffle item to benefit the theater. Raffle tickets are available during the show or online at the OTA website (www.olympictheatrearts.org), where a photograph of the quilt is featured.
“Marti’s quilt is a beautiful piece, dynamic, colorful, it is a work of art,” Willis said.
Another presence at the exhibit is the OTA show sponsor, the Clallam County League of Women Voters, an organization who has been celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Right to Vote.
“We truly appreciate our show sponsors and thank the League for their support,” Willis said.
Tickets for the performance are 24 general, $22 OTA members, $15 students and available online at www.olympictheatrearts.org, or at the box office, open 1-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Visitors for the exhibit are also welcomed during box office hours. For more information, call Olympic Theatre Arts at 360-682-7326.
Olympic Theatre Arts hosts and extensive display of historic quilts.
One of the quilts featured in the Olympic theatre Arts exhibit is donated by OTA volunteer Marti McAllister Wolf, and will be promoted as a raffle item to benefit the theater.
