By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
Joy and gratitude poured forth from many residents on Sunday evening, as Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theater and Prattville Cultural Arts held a celebration to recognize World Theater Day and to honor one of its finest talents, Joey Fine, who passed away from Covid.
“World Theatre Day was initiated in 1961 by the International Theatre Institute and the first World Theatre Day message was written by Jean Cocteau, French poet, playwright, novelist, filmmaker, visual artist and critic, and was held in Helsinki,” explained Barbara Simpson, the city’s Cultural Arts and Special Events Manager. “World Theatre Day is observed on March 27 each year for the purpose of promoting fine arts and Theatre.”
Simpson said that the special day is being recognized to promote the Way Off Broadway Theatre to the community and to let them know that they are creating wonderful dramatic opportunities for people to watch and enjoy or to participate in as actors, directors, crew members and volunteers.
“We also are taking this day to honor Joey B. Fine, who was a big part of Way Off Broadway Theatre,” Simpson said. “He and his entire family were a part of our productions in one way or another. Joey served as director, actor, instructor, volunteer and as a mentor to so many people. He not only was a big part of WOBT, but was also an advocate of theatre throughout the River Region.”
Simpson went on to say that Fine brought theatre to life for children and adults alike.
“He was able to connect to both children and adults and brought out the best in everyone,” she commented. “He helped to give actors the confidence they needed to succeed in their parts and helped to keep them grounded and calmed nerves. Now his son, Braden, is following in his footsteps, not only because of all the plays in which he has acted, worked on sets, and volunteered in other ways since he was very young, but this year he will be directing our Christmas play, A Suessified Christmas Carol, just four years after Joey directed the 2018 Christmas play The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”
During the event, actors came to the stage and performed short snippets of plays and longtime WOBT actor Matthew Givens gave a rundown of many of the past performances and unpacked the importance of theater to a community.
Brady Walker, WOBT board member, said about World Theater Day, “At its core, theater is about telling stories that make us laugh, cry, analyze our lives and the lives of others and provide insight to controversial issues we may not always want to sit and discuss. It provides that safe space for us to see these issues come to life. It allows us to see multiple perspectives in multiple areas of life that are so different from our own.
Many spoke about the deep connections they had with the theater and with Joey Fine.
Tanner Parrish, Cultural Arts Assistant for the city, stood to speak about his love for Joey Fine, saying, “Without Joey, I don’t know if I’d be standing here. Joey showed me that there is more to life than I thought and through theater I’ve met new people and lots of amazing friends.”
Pamela Trammel, who has been with WOBT for many years and in multiple roles, spoke as well to talk about the benefits of the theater in the community.
“The theater here, Way Off Broadway Theater, has given me some of my best experiences in my lifetime,” she said.
Trammel also shared many of the accomplishments that Joey Fine had with the theater in specific shows and also on a personal level, as a pastor in her life.
“He knew I was trying to find a home church,” she said. “He told me about Seasons (Church) and I said, ‘yeah I’ll come visit you.’ Well in about a year, I did and ended up staying there and be rewarded with the impact that Joey had on my faith.”
Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie, who has been a big supporter of the theater in Prattville, came to the stage at one point and with tears in his eyes, thanked those who were in attendance for their love of the theater and their love for Joey Fine.
Talking about Fine, he said, “He’s brought so much to this community. I didn’t know him very well but obviously he has touched so many people’s lives. I think his legacy will carry on and on but some of the love I feel up here today with what you have been portraying about Joey, but also about the arts that you so much love. The arts bring so much quality of life. So, I want to say thank you. Thank you for every one of you for giving your heart and soul for this art, the theater, and for Joey. You make me proud to be a Prattvillian.”
The mayor then brought the Fine family to the stage to reveal a plaque in Joey’s honor, which will hang on the wall of the theater.
For more information on the Way Off Broadway Theater, go online to www.prattvilleal.gov.
