Arts & Entertainment

Director of Community Theatre Reaches End of 'Yellow Brick Road'

Meredith Shreve gave her final curtain call for the Twinsburg Community Theatre on Sunday

Very few people can say they have been ushered out by flying monkeys, talking scarecrows, and masses of munchkins. But , after 16 years of creating magic in Twinsburg, did just that.

It was the end of an era as the community said goodbye to Shreve, who has produced and directed productions for the Twinsburg Community Theatre, a venture she started in 1993. She and her husband, Tom, will both retire and move to Florida this summer.

“Saying goodbye to this and to all of you will indeed be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do,” Shreve said. “But I leave with more memories than you could ever possibly imagine.”

At the end of the final performance of , Shreve was surrounded by cast and crew as Mayor Katherine Procop and Parks and Recreation Director Derek Schroeder presented her with an official proclamation in her honor.

“After 16 years of youth theater from the opening night of Babes in Toyland to the closing curtain of Wizard of Oz, your dream has brought forward so much joy to this community,” Procop said. “I can’t think of anyone who has put more energy, dedication, commitment and heart into what you do.”

Then Shreve, aided by her husband holding the paper with thoughts she prepared, addressed an adoring audience one final time.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to have been entrusted with this program for this community,” Shreve said.

She acknowledged that her years of service wouldn’t have been possible without help from the community.

“The list of people to thank is endless,” Shreve said. “You couldn’t possibly imagine the thousands of people who somewhere along the way did something for this program to make it successful.”

She continued to recognize members of the community for their support as well as family and friends, and finally, this last cast who she said put together a “flawless” performance.

“You all are truly “Oz”-some,” she joked through her tears.

While her transition into retirement will take her to the sunny, and considerably warmer, beaches of Florida, Shreve said she will return to see future productions and will never forget the amazing memories and friends she has made here.

“Fifteen years ago I couldn’t have imagined standing on stage for this, my final curtain call,” Shreve said. “Yet here I am, about to take my final bow. As I do, in my heart, I will be forever grateful of the wonderful, incredible people I have met along the way. I will miss you. But know that no matter where we go, no matter where our travels take us, somewhere over the rainbow, my heart will always be here, because there truly is no place like home.”

Then, almost poetically, she sat down in Glinda’s bubble and floated away, in her final exit from the stage.


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