Today we’d like to introduce you to Shell Ramirez
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Oh – my story.
Decatur Community Players is a children’s musical theatre company. In 2010 I was approached to get a group together to attend the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta. I had a theatre background and was excited to help bring kids from my own kids school – The International Community school. It was a story of right place right time. That was my seed for the future.
From 2010-2019 I drug props, sets, costumes and set pieces to rental spaces around Decatur. We did 2 shows a year and I worked other jobs around it and raising my kids.
In 2019 a space I had looked at before opened up and I scrapped together funds from donations and friends to get the space! Our current space at 141 Sams Street was born. The stage was built with help from wonderful friends! We had rehearsal space!! We had our first show on the stage! It was wonderful. January 2020 I was preparing to take kids to California with the show “Once on this island” and I was working on a production of “Frozen JR.”and “Madagascar Jr.” I was busy and enjoying it. Finance was a trick but it was working.
March 2020- we shut down for Covid. Wehad to pivot and with the support of families in the program we stayed in business- opening small classes and growing back to full attendance.
Our focus is on meeting the kid where they are with an influence on mental health and theatre arts as a whole. We set the space as a learning theatre for kids. All shows are run by kids- sets built by kids and peer leadership during shows
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was rough during covid but we made it through. Staffing is difficult based on the needs it takes special people to grow with our philosophy at DCP. We have found kids that age out of program coming back to work as employees. We are also family run. My business partner has been my right hand man for years Melissa Gouinlock. Her daughter Freya went through DCP and now is a director. Melissa does all online and website communication. Jeff Sutton my life partner has moved into the roll of Lighting and set design. He keeps us safe and well lite! We stole him from the from industry in Atlanta. This has built a strong core.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have a very different job. Or should I say passion. I am a heavy visual thinker. I spend every moment visualizing a show. Then. Map out rehearsals, plan shows, keep staff in line, deal with drama on all levels, and just enjoy the process,
I would not change a moment.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Emotionally my childhood was trying. I really enjoyed my summers at sleep away camp. Just being in nature was always wonderful. I still look for the nature around to fill my soul
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Dcpkids.org
- Instagram: Decatur Community Players
- Facebook: Decatur Community Players
Image Credits
Me 🙂
