BALTIMORE, Ohio — Abby Todd, a resident in the village of Baltimore, said when she thinks of the Victoria Opera House, the first thing that comes to her mind is family.
The Fairfield Christian Academy sophomore is one of a few dozen students that make up the Victoria Players Children’s Theater or VPCT.
“Seeing the audiences that have come for us, seeing this small theatre and seeing it grow is amazing,” said Todd.
She said the experience over the past several years has been an eye-opener for her.
“It’s something that everybody can do. And people say, like, I don’t have the confidence to be on stage. I started as a third grader that didn’t talk to anybody and look at me now,” said Todd. “When the lights come on, when you’re in costume, when you’re in makeup, you’re not the same person as you are just right there. It’s amazing to see characters come alive.”
The Victoria Opera House opened in 1905, closed in the early 60s, and with the support of volunteers and donors, the building reopened to the public for theatre productions in 2016, leading to performances of It’s a Wonderful Life, Newsies, and The Giver.
Steven Cothrel, the director of the nonprofit Baltimore Downtown Restoration Committee, said restoring the theater has been a labor of love.
“When I think about what this space looked like when we started, it just, it really is a great feeling to see how beautiful it is,” said Cothrel. “We’re just really pleased that it gives the village a public space that can be used in so many ways.”
Todd said she looks forward to what lies ahead, including plans for a Christmas production.
She’s proud of the local community outreach and said the theatre scene will be a big part of her future.
“It’s so incredible for a small community to come together to be one huge this! I hope someday to come back here and teach and direct or something,” said Todd. “But if nothing less, I’ll be in those seats and cheering for all the kids that continue to go on.”
The Victoria Opera House is at 101 South Main Street in the village of Baltimore.
