Sun staff
The village of Batavia will soon be home to a professional theater created by individuals with a passion for bringing the arts to the community.
Adam and Laura Haskell, of Bethel, and their friend Sarah Plummer, saw an opportunity to bring theater to the village, which they say is underserved. All three have a background in theater.
“We’ve done research and we think there is a pretty solid impact,” Adam Haskell said.
He said individuals in a community will go out to attend a play and will also eat dinner or shop and spend money in the community.
“I’ve seen what the corridor has done to Batavia,” Haskell said. “I’ve seen a shutdown of the community.”
Haskell said that with a theater, they are hoping to bring some of the community back together right in the village.
“I am excited about the opportunity to get the community rallied around something we can be proud of,” Haskell said.
Laura Haskell and Plummer studied theater in college, and Adam Haskell studied music and engineering.
Adam Haskell grew up in Batavia and participated in the Batavia High School Band and in plays at the school.
Haskell said he has been working with village officials as well as local businesses to secure locations for their plays as well as sponsors and vendors.
Haskell said this year is their preview year, and their first play will run in August, along with the bicentennial celebration in the village.
He said they eventually hope to have a full season of plays.
“We have a two and five year goal,” Haskell. “What we would like is to have six to seven plays throughout the summer and a fall and Christmas play.”
Haskell said they are committed to bringing theater to the community.
“Presenting theater to an area that is underserved, we have a responsibility to do this right,” Haskell said.
Haskell said they are planning to announce this year’s schedule in the coming weeks.
For more information about Batavia Theatre Project, visit www.bataviatheatreproject.com.