THE flyover town of Huntington, Indiana is thousands of miles from the bright lights of New York’s Great White Way or London’s West End — and light years removed from those theatre Meccas in cultural terms. But now an acclaimed young Bermudian director is seeking to change all that by resuscitating Huntington’s rundown Art Deco theatre and launching his own repertory company from that restored venue.

Joel Froomkin spoke to the Mid-Ocean News this week about a long-time dream that is about to reach fruition.

“I went to Saltus and was very inspired by (now headmaster) Nigel Kermode’s flair for the dramatic,” said Mr. Froomkin from his home in Indiana.

“Then I attended the theatre conservatory at the University of Southern California and completed a BFA in Acting and an MFA in Design.

“Very early on in my time at USC both I and my professors realised that I had a certain bent towards directing and producing. One of my mentors in particular predicted all along that I would end up running my own company as an artistic director.

Before he would realise this ambition, however, Mr. Froomkin spent several years in London and New York.

“I apprenticed in London as an assistant working in the West End on showike Delicate Balance<$> with Dames Maggie Smith and Eileen Atkins. In 2001 I moved to New York and began working as a director in Manhattan and regionally around the US.”

In fact, it was not until his production of The Unexpected Man at the Bermuda Festival two years ago that Mr. Froomkin returned to his dream of owning his own theatre.

“It (the play) was such a satisfying experience that we felt it was something we should pursue on a larger scale.

“So many of the directors whose work on Broadway I admire have been able to develop an artistic reputation and voice largely because they ran their own venue — and they don’t have to be anywhere near New York for the work to gain attention if it is exciting.

“It also involves having a fantastic business partner, Richard Najuch, the theatre’s producing director. He is the only reason any of this has been possible.

“He left his job at Columbia Business School so that we could pursue this venture full time. He not only has a fantastic business sense but a great theatrical sensibility.”

After the production, he and his partner began their search for a theatre that suited their needs. After initially settling on a bankrupted college campus in Massachusetts, the plans fell through and the search continued. Then finally they came across a former Vaudeville theatre in Huntington and, within months, owned it.

After recently directing a concert at New York’s Town Hall, Mr. Froomkin has now moved permanently to an apartment above the theatre in Huntington (about two hours from Chicago).

“We anticipate that the renovation of the 650-seat auditorium itself will take us at least into next fall. We have to rebuild dressing rooms, extend the stage forward and install a working grid that will suit our needs.

“There’s also a fair amount of aesthetic work in the auditorium we want to tackle — hoping to stay as true to the building’s Art Deco roots as we can.”

While Mr. Froomkin admits that some of the work has been difficult, he has enjoyed incredible support.

“Our parents on both sides have been incredibly supportive. Of course, my Dad (Bermudian QC Saul Froomkin) has to read every single piece of paperwork we sign and Rich’s father is helping us to renovate the building.

“It’s a huge adventure — but not one without risk — and we couldn’t have asked for more enthusiasm and love from our families.”

It is, admittedly, quite an adjustment from fast-paced life in the city, but Mr. Froomkin appears to be handling it well.

“So far the locals here have been extremely enthusiastic — but so far I think they know us as those two guys that walk the dachshund around Main Street rather than theatre impresarios.

“We haven’t wanted to make a big fuss until we have something special to really announce.

“But people see us renovating and pop their heads in and ask questions . . . and they seem delighted to know some exciting is happening. A few people have told us amazing stories of coming to the building as children and saving up all week for a 50-cent ticket.

“It’s heart-warming to know you’re breathing new life into something that has a place of nostalgia for a lot of the community.”

Joel’s theatre dream is coming true