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Endstation Theatre Company
Backstage Pass
Each issue of Scenes From the Hat will feature a theater and exploring the theater's beginnings, evolution over the years, and goals for the future - plus some fun facts along the way.
This issue, we are featuring a theater that seamlessly blends performance with education: Endstation Theatre Company. Located in Lynchburg, Endstation has been a staple in the local theater community since the early 2000's. With its creative staging and interpretations of classic works, Endstation brought an innovative approach to theater to this area that had not been seen at that time. This theater's origin story begins in the most unlikely of places: Berlin, Germany.
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While a student at Florida State University working towards his Master of Fine Arts, Geoffrey Kershner was presented with an incredible opportunity to travel to Germany on a theater tour with Ed Sherin, Jane Alexander, and his fellow student (and future Endstation co-founder) Krista Franco. During this trip, Kershner and Franco attended a performance of Endstation America, an adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire. "It was irreverent and inventive and both those qualities inspired us," Kershner says. As Kershner and Franco completed their degrees, they were inspired to develop their own theater company here in Virginia where Kershner already had roots. In an ode to the production that had influenced their decision to create a theater, they named it Endstation Theatre Company.
The Mind of Poe, 2007
In 2007, Endstation opened its doors with its first production, The Mind of Poe, an adaptation of the works of Edgar Allen Poe. "[Poe] was built to tour and perform at what is now the Commerce Street Theatre, Sweet Briar, Live Arts in Charlottesville, and at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington D.C.," explains Kershner. "The premise of the show was that a group of insane asylum patients were ritualistically telling the stories of Poe (and in many ways living them out)." This show featured the talent of local actors Jonathan Formo and Justin Humphries, and was stage managed by Maria Hayden.
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"In order to continue to experiment theatrically but also build an audience locally, we began to focus on this region for inspiration."
The idea behind designing shows to be toured and performed at a variety of venues inspired future productions and led to many creative locations and story settings. Many of the shows were adapted to take advantage of the location in which they were performed. Kershner says, "This meant doing site specific theatre in interesting locales with either historic context or scenic beauty or creating original work based on the history of the community." The focus on regional events and locations can be seen in many of Endstation's productions such as Buried Deep: The Lynchburg Pools, written by Josh Brewer; The Bluest Water, the story of the impact of Hurricane Camille's devastation in Nelson County, written by Jason Chimondes and Geoff Kershner; and T-Room: The Musical, written by Dina Gregory.
Buried Deep, 2022
T-Room: The Musical, 2015
The Bluest Water, 2019
Kershner developed the concept of a summer theater festival for Endstation, which led to an extended tenure at Sweet Briar University in Amherst, Virginia. In 2016, the company was moved to Lynchburg and set up residency at Randolph College, where it remains today. After this move to Randolph College, Kershner made the decision to hand over the reigns of Endstation when he became the artistic director at the Academy of Fine Arts in Lynchburg.
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One of the pillars of Endstation's model is their commitment to educating the future of the theatre industry. Every summer, Endstation recruits college undergraduates to serve in the apprentice program. These students come from around the country and are housed at Randolph's campus to work on the technical and management side of Endstation's shows. Several apprentices have gone on to become professional in technical theatre. The shows are run by these dedicated apprentices who do everything from carpentry, sound, lighting, and costumes to marketing and box office management.
Geoffrey Kershner, founder and former Executive Director
of Endstation Theatre Company
Patrick Earl, current Executive Director of Endstation
Theatre Company
Currently Endstation's managing director is Patrick Earl, a longtime professional theater artist from Michigan. He grew connected to Virginia through his work at the American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, where he both directed and was a stage combat choreographer. "I think with each leadership change, something new and exciting was infused into the company," says Earl. Endstation's staples of new works, reimagined classics, and juke box musicals would still remain part of the lineup, but Earl was also tasked with moving the company forward. "I have held the belief for a long time that you don't need to go to a big city to see the best theatre," says Earl. "Art, theatre especially, should be accessible to all. A community should invest in it, take ownership of it, and in return, that theatre should take care of its community. You should be able to go to the last stop on the train, the Endstation, and see art that is relevant, exciting, and, most importantly, serving of its community. I think Endstation Theatre Company has done a great job of doing just that."
Like most theaters in this area, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Endstation to take a look at its priorities and determine the best way to move forward. Earl and artistic director Stephanie Holladay Earl are bringing Endstation back to its roots. One of the most exciting developments is the Playwright's Initiative Reading Festival, a new play reading series that will have 3 to 5 staged readings of new and original scripts about Central Virginia. Coming June 2024, this reading series will be an important step in developing material for fully staged productions. "Endstation Theatre Company's main goal is to keep telling your story!" says Earl. "We want to continue to create new works about and for our community, all while making theatre more accessible."
EMBARK!, 2019
Endstation is also home to EMBARK! Youth Theatre Conservatory. This is a 2-week summer camp that caters to rising 3rd graders through high school seniors. EMBARK! joined the Endstation Family in 2017, having previously been Randolph's Wildcat Youth Conservator. The Foundation's own Board President Erin Foreman is the director of EMBARK! "It's a summer experience unlike any other performing arts summer camp. EMBARK! focuses on education through communication, creativity, and confidence." says Erin Foreman. "The camp serves beginners through advanced performers by offering six classes a day tailored to these campers interests and strengths. Kids who have never been on stage before learn from professionals in acting, stage combat, and improv skills. It's truly an amazing education for these kids and a real gift to the Lynchburg community."
Endstation is ever-evolving, but it never strays far from its roots that were planted by Kerhner many years ago. Earl concludes, "We will continue to offer Pay-What-You-Can Performances, scholarships to our EMBARK! Youth Conservatory, and find more opportunities to partner with other local organizations like Randolph College, Lynchburg Parks and Recreation, Thomas Jefferson Poplar Forest, Point of Honor, and even The TEXAS INN. We also will strive to continue our tradition of producing high-quality professional theatre. By finding the right mix of local, regional, and national talent, we can make the Greater Lynchburg Area a place where new artists want to come and create."
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There are numerous opportunities to get involved with Endstation. Auditions for the upcoming summer shows will be occuring locally in February, 2024 and also at the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) in March. You can also visit Endstation's social media pages and website for chances to volunteer and get information on programs offered by Endstation. As always, you can visit our events page at www.markwforemanfoundation.org/events to get performance and audition dates, along with a link to purchase tickets.
Big River, 2012
Always... Patsy Cline, 2014
Ring of Fire, 2015
Sonnets and Chocolates Gala, 2017
Hamlet, 2010
Twelfth Night, 2011