This project has been in progress since 2021, and we have finally seen the fruition. Before Covid struck the world, we had an instructor, board member, and friend, Chris Wood. Chris was a jack of all trades as he was a father, husband, lover of horses, teacher, lawyer, and director at the local community theater called Creative Theater in Pigeon Forge. The theater was one of his favorites through all his duties and passions. Unfortunately, Covid claimed this precious soul, and all those he touched were devastated. In honor of his name, his wife Valerie sent GSMAR money to our REALTORS® Care Committee to do with as they saw fit. The perfect fit would be to give it to Creative Theater, but as a lot of businesses were struck by COVID-19, so was Creative Theater. Its doors closed, and REALTORS® Care held onto the money until something came up.

This year, during a REALTORS® Care meeting, the donation was made light again. Kathryn Lovell, the founder of REALTORS® Care and committee chair, mentioned that the donation hadn’t been given to anyone yet. As a volunteer at Creative Theater, I came to know the director of the program, Robert Kalina. So, during the meeting, I texted him and asked if any community theaters out there that needed money. He was quick to respond. The only ones in the area were in Maryville and Morristown. I relayed the information to the committee, and we continued business. One or two days later, Robert contacted me again and asked if the donation had been allocated because he had a drama teacher, Kristie Wallis, from Northview Academy, who had a need.
Earlier, Northview had won a contest from Disney. Every time a school community theater or any playhouse does a play, they must pay royalty fees. Northview entered a competition with Disney to do the stage show of Frozen for free. Of course, this was huge if they won and they did. Only one school from each state was picked for this honor, and Northview won for the state of Tennessee. They performed, and it was a hit. To continue the story and to bring it to a conclusion, the whole drama class from that play has an opportunity to see the live Broadway performance of Frozen in Nashville. The only obstacle is the cost.
So, we swapped info back to Robert and I; I got Kristie’s info and texted her. The charter bus cost was almost the exact amount of the donation made by Valerie, Chris’ wife. Coincidence, I think not. We helped her find the Charter as her contacts fell through, and on April 17th, the check was presented to the Northview Academy to cover the costs of the charter bus for their trip to Nashville.
As we visited the drama department to deliver the check, it was my pleasure to have Valerie, her daughter, Robert, Kathryn, and all those who helped bring this to fruition there to present the check to them. It was also my great pleasure to get a behind-the-scenes tour of their facilities while they rehearsed their current production of Mama Mia. Info for that play and to get tickets are in the flyer below. As I toured, I noticed the need for so many things. They could use a storage building for props; they need a whole sound system with mics as they currently rent a sound system for each performance and more. If anyone would like to donate props, clothes, or money to the drama department, contact kristiewallis@sevier.org. We hope the students have fun on their trip.