Passion acting group brings dinner theatre to Hope stage

If there is one passion that has remained a constant for Connie Kiviniemi-Baylor, it is acting.

Over the years, the Scottsburg native has acted in productions across central Indiana, including appearances in productions offered in Brown County, Seymour and Indianapolis.

The 57-year-old Scottsburg native admits she actively pursued her passion in high school, but then college and life happened as it tends to do.

Following several years solely dedicated to her education, marriage and family, Baylor returned to the local stage several years ago at the behest of her daughter who asked she produce “The Miracle Worker” at WILLow LeaVes.

Not too long thereafter, the Passion for Acting Theatre Company was formed and has since helped round out the production schedule at WILLow LeaVes with several plays offered each year.

While recently on her way back from a road trip with her son, Baylor took a few minutes to speak by phone and discuss her return to acting, the importance of theatre and its role in the community, as well as a bit about her theatre company and what lies ahead.

If you would, please share a bit about your career leading up to now. What are your previous incarnations?
When I was at Bellevue University I started working as faculty secretary and then administrative assistant to the Dean of Academic affairs. And then I was an operations manager at what was then known as Central Missouri State University, while [my husband] Keith was stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. And then we moved to Indiana and I volunteered a lot at places like the Visitor’s Center back when the Indianapolis Museum of Art had their gallery space at the old Commons.

Who were your greatest influences growing up? And what has continued to fuel your passion for acting?
I grew up watching all the greats and musicals on TV, like Jimmy Stewart, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy and all those great actors of the Hollywood golden age. I’ve always loved stories, my mom was a great storyteller to me and developed my love of reading. I love using my imagination and it is fun to adapt yourself into a character, to read a character and figure out who they are, what their motivation is and how you can bring that character and story to life to entertain someone. I just love entertaining people and bringing stories to life.

Many people know you from community theatre in Columbus, what brought you to the Hope community?
I was asked to be in a production at WILLow LeaVes. The first one was the “Cowboy in the Jean Skirt,” a production David Webster had adapted from a book by Rena Dillman. That was about seven or eight years ago, I think. And, I just thought, ‘This is a lot of fun’ and it was great to do a dinner theatre style production, I’d never done that before.’ I thought it was such a lovely setting and the sisters at WILLow LeaVes are wonderful to work with and very gracious to open their stage to us. So, I was in several productions with Pete Law and Naomi Pyle and there was a break in the schedule at WILLow LeaVes.

My daughter, Kat, had asked Pete for a couple of years if we could do something like “The Miracle Worker” or “Anne of Green Gables” or “Anne Frank” or something like that. He said, ‘If your mom will direct it.’ And, at the time, I thought, ‘I don’t know if that is in my wheelhouse of capabilities.’ I knew I was a pretty good actor, but wasn’t sure if there was a director in me. Then, after a couple of years had past and there was a break in the schedule and she asked again, so I said, “yes.”

I asked the sisters at WILLow LeaVes and they said, ‘Go ahead.’

And so that is how it started.

What was your initial thought when you were invited to perform at WILLow LeaVes?
‘Yes! Let’s do it!’ There was no hesitation at all. I love being onstage and entertaining an audience. The first production was so well received and there was sold out crowds. I thought, ‘This is amazing to be in a little town in a little space like that. And to have multiple sold out shows.’

How long after your debut did you establish the Passion for Acting Theatre Company?
I think it was simultaneous because we wanted to make a distinction that this was a different group doing the plays. But, I like to make sure folks know it is truly for WILLow LeaVes and both [groups] are designed to benefit WILLow LeaVes of Hope, the Hope community and Bartholomew County.

How many actors are involved with the Passion for Acting group?
I would say, maybe 15 different actors have acted for us.

How important is keeping not only dinner theatre, but theatre itself, alive and well in the community?
I actually think it is vital. I really do. I think the arts are so important and often they get put on the backburner, especially as far as governing bodies go, because the arts are often the first to get cut. But everyone needs a creative outlet of some kind. And, so, for all the people I work with it is acting.

I think it is beneficial for the community, too, because it builds you culturally to see different stories, situations and people’s lives acted out on stage. I think it is vital to do that and I am so thrilled to be a part of it and an organization that is positive. We try to keep the drama on the stage, not off.

It is wonderful to be a part of the community and to support Hope and its people. I am all about community and being a team player and so it is nice to be surrounded by those fantastic people.

Your group regularly offers a diverse range of plays – what does the process of play selection look like?
Mainly, right now, it is determined by the actors I know I have on board and whether I could envision them in a specific production. For example, when we did “The Miracle Worker” my daughter, Kat, really wanted to be Helen Keller and I told her she would have to prove to me she could play the part and she did. And then we had Jason Bowser and Cheryl Baker being the parents in that production and they were able to bring that emotion of a parent who finds out their child is blind, deaf and mute.

It is about offering different genres of stories because everyone likes different things. I love to laugh and make people laugh, but sometimes it is good to get into the classics or drama and mystery and intrigue.

What are your hopes for the Passion for Acting Theatre Company and theatre at WILLow LeaVES in the coming years?
Just that we will continue to do that on a regular basis and that the community continues to support us. To get more people involved – we’ve tried to bring in new actors, so we always have a wonderful base to pull from and get new individuals involved in the arts. And to continue to bring great plays to the stage there and keep it well rounded.

What advice would you give to others who are thinking about exploring acting?
You will never know if you are able to unless you jump in a try. It is a fun collaboration with people and a wonderful opportunity to be a part of a team that seeks out excellence onstage. And it is good to step outside your comfort zone sometimes and round out your development and character and acting is a way to do that.

Does Passion for Acting ever hold auditions? How can others get involved?
So far it has been word of mouth. If someone lets me know they are interested we will invite them to a reading. We would love to have more people involved and I would love to be able to hold auditions some time just to see the talent that is out there. I would also love to have new folks, especially individuals in their 20s to 40s.

Those who are interested in possibly performing can email [email protected].