Geist resident, Donna Wing serves as artistic director and actress for Oaklandon Civic Theatre

And, in its fifth season of production, Oaklandon Civic Theatre will present the comedic murder mystery, “The Murder Room,” by Jack Sharkey. With an intriguing history of its own and a hidden stage that was discovered by local actress and company founder Donna Wing, the theater lends itself to the tricks, plot twists, hidden rooms and secret panels that keep audiences guessing in this classic whodunit.

In fact, for the past 30 years, most people didn’t even know the stage existed as part of the Oaklandon Unitarian Universalist Church in Oaklandon, Ind. The church, which was originally built in 1850, suffered much damage after fire tore through the building more than once. Each time, renovations improved the facility and in 1925, the existing building was constructed with a new feature—a stage, with a fully-equipped heavy oak firewall.

For the next 50 years the stage was used by Oaklandon High School and other surrounding schools and organizations for plays, events and graduations. In 1975, however, the stage became dormant while area schools developed their own facilities, and the stage, dressing rooms, and red velour curtain fell into disuse behind the lowered firewall.

“With the firewall down, they were using the stage for storage,” says Wing. “It wasn’t until I stumbled across it, while looking for books, that I realized it was the perfect location for a theater company.” In September 2004, Oaklandon Civic Theatre opened with its first performance and has enjoyed great success ever since.

“It only seems appropriate that “The Murder Room” be hosted here,” says Wing. “It is now one of the few theaters left with a fully operational firewall, which for the last 30 years has acted as a secret portal of sorts.”

Oaklandon Civic Theatre will present “The Murder Room” Friday, Nov. 7; Friday-Sunday, Nov. 14-16; and Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21-22. Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 8:00 p.m. and the Nov. 16 matinee will begin at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 823-4761, ext. 3 or by visiting http://oaklandoncivictheatre.org/reservations.html. Oaklandon Civic Theatre is located at 6450 Oaklandon Road, Indianapolis.

For more information or to request high resolution photographs contact Info@oaklandoncivictheatre.org or visit http://oaklandoncivictheatre.org.

Cast:
Director: James Trofatter, Avon
Edgar Hollister : James Trofatter
Mavis Hollister: Donna Wing, Geist area
Susan Hollister: Jill Murrell, Avon
Lottie Molloy: Susan Townsend, Noblesville
James Crandall: David Pittman, Western Indianapolis
Barry Draper: Steve Viehweg, Greenfield/Mt. Comfort