All the world's indeed a stage

And we are merely players, performers and portrayers;

Each another's audience outside the gilded cage.

--Neil Peart

Who is Nite Lite Theatre?

Nite Lite Theatre is a community theater group in Trenton, Tennessee.  We provide an outlet for the theatrical arts to the surrounding communities.

Is this a professional theatre organization?

Not at all!  We are you by day... forklift drivers, educators, business owners, lawyers, retirees, students... but at night, we're Felix Unger, Eva Peron, Annie Oakley, the King of Siam.  Nite Lite is a mechanism that allows the community to provide the entertainment!

What kind of shows do you perform?

Nite Lite performs three full-length plays each season, which starts July 1 of each year.  Typically, our season consists of a musical, a comedy, and a drama.  We also display a children's performance each year, so that kids in the community may also participate.

 

While that is our primary focus, Nite Lite's members participate in other community events, such as Madrigal Dinners, and improvisation shows similar to Whose Line Is It, Anyway?  Many of our participants sing in church choirs, play in bands, or perform soliloquies for college audiences.  Nite Lite is the gathering place for these many talents, where our individual abilities, mixed with artistic direction, becomes great community theater.

Can I participate in a Nite Lite production?

Yes!  We always welcome new faces, in their opportunity to stand in the spotlight.  There are no specific disciplines, or learned requirements... you don't have to be a method actor, or an exhaustive resume.  You should simply have the desire to perform onstage, and the ability to listen to the creative influence of a show's director. 

We do ask that each performer pay a $15.00 participation fee.  This helps offset a show's investment costs, such as costumes, royalties, and set construction.

I don't sing or dance, but I do enjoy live theatre.  Is there anything else I could do?

There are a variety of ways.

• Backstage Production.  From house lights to sound systems, from stage managers to set building and design, these often overlooked tasks are the backbone of a well-produced show.  Hamlet can't talk to his empty hand, the lights must go down for night scenes, and a gun isn't convincing if no one hears the "bang!"

• Publicity & Production.  You heard about Nite Lite from somewhere.  We reach the community in a variety of ways, so that the community may learn about our presentations.  Whether by word of mouth, or posters, or websites, or advertising, the word must get out.

• Sponsorships & Patrons.  We accept memberships and sponsorships from the community, which entitle you to passes for our performances, as well as the satisfaction of contributing to a cultural landmark for our area.

• Audience members!  Theater is give and take in two directions.  The audience receives entertainment, and the actor receives adulation.  The actor gives an interpretation, and the audience lends its ear to hear.  Without an audience, there is no performance.

You can also visit our monthly board meetings at 500 West Eaton in Trenton (commonly known by us as "The Space").  Meetings convene at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month.

Do your performers get paid?

 Nite Lite  contracts an administrative position, and pays directors, musicians, and producers.  All other work is done out of appreciation or love of community theater.  Our admission prices and sponsorships go right back into production costs, royalties, costuming, insurance, and equipment maintenance.

Do you offer memberships?

Please click here for details on becoming a Patron or Luminary for Nite Lite.

I don't see many photographs.  Why do you have so few?

Nite Lite Theatre is composed by the work of many volunteers.  In the past, these works have gone undocumented until the performances, and it's often difficult to keep the ends tied together after a show closes.  We are working to improve this, by documenting as much as we can, from the first rehearsal to the final curtain call.  More photographs will be seen in the future, as we continue to improve our service.

Your website's layout is, well... not very colorful.  Why?

Our webmaster is a volunteer, too.  He's unbelievably open to criticism, though.  You can email him here.