‘Sherlock Holmes’ uncovers community in Pittsboro

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PITTSBORO ­— While the play itself was a mystery, one thing that wasn’t hard to find on Saturday was joy.

The Pittsboro Youth Players performed their first ever show at The Plant in Pittsboro on Saturday night. “Sherlock Holmes and the 1st Baker Street Irregular” drew more than 130 guests to the venue to watch the innagural performance.

“The experience of watching this group of actors perform for all their friends and family members Saturday night left my heart so full,” said Laura Sandvik, executive director of Pittsboro Youth Players. “They pulled off a strong show after just ten rehearsals in my living room, dining room or on the deck. They hadn’t even stepped foot in the performance space until Saturday morning.”

After the great detective Sherlock Holmes solved the case on Saturday, Sandvik offered space for the cast to host a community talkback. An audience of friends, family and community members shared feedback with the actors. Actors also shred how much they valued being able to perform on stage and keep their theater community together, Sandvik said. 

The ragtag show was put together after Pittsboro Youth Theater announced it would close in January. Sandvik and a group of dedicated young thespians decided they needed to take the stage in whatever capacity possible. Sandvik offered up her Pittsboro home as a rehearsal space. She also enlisted the help of Artistic Director Samuel Walker Jr. Sandvik credits Walker’s wisdom and a model of “trust the process,” for Saturday’s successful performance.

“I could not have asked for a better cast or creative team,”Walker said following the performance. “I am so proud of each and every person who helped makes this production possible.” 

The experience of making the show come to life has inspired the two of them to work toward starting a new youth theater in Chatham County under the name Circle City Theatre Company. The company aims to begin programming in the fall. 

“My heart is completely full,” Walker added. “I am still trying to find the words to help me sum up just how impactful this past Saturday was. ‘Sherlock Holmes and the 1st Baker Street Irregular’ left a strong imprint on the hearts and minds of Pittsboro.”