BELLEFONTE — Sock & Buskin Community Theatre takes its name from the ancient symbols for comedy and tragedy. “Sock” refers to a light shoe worn in Greek comedies, while “buskin” refers to a laced boot worn in Greek tragedies, and the names have become associated with the ancient Greek masks that often symbolize the theatre.
But when you talk to Stefanie Austin, president and co-founder of Centre County’s newest theatre company, it is clear that the most meaningful word in the group’s title is “community.”
“We felt like there was a need for a true community theatre, one that was really focused on bringing people together and allowing us to create for the community,” she said. “We didn’t want to be someone who just pops in and does a show and then you never hear from us. We wanted to really be a part of the community.”
In fact, she said, Sock & Buskin hopes to partner with local agencies and nonprofits to support the theater company. It also wants to build its own diverse and welcoming theatre community, “where all people are welcome and can feel like they have a home.”
Austin, along with co-founders Kari Williamson and Gregg Baptista, officially incorporated the new group in May 2022. The company’s first performance — a one-act comedy called “Sibbleger,” written by local playwright David Williams — was held in June at the Central Pennsylvania Theatre and Dance Festival.
In August, Sock & Buskin was awarded a $1,000 Awesome Grant from 3 Dots. The grant helped fund its first full-length production, “Sin-ergy,” a murder mystery event held earlier this month at Titan Hollow in Bellefonte.
“Honestly, without that grant, I’m not sure we could have done what we did with that show,” Austin said. “We were able to rent high quality-lighting and sound equipment, which is our biggest expense.”
The company will rely on ticket sales and fundraisers to continue to fund its performances. An upcoming murder mystery fundraiser, “Terror in Transylvania,” to be held at The Speakeasy at the Gamble Mill in Bellefonte on Oct. 28, has already sold out, Austin said. Nov. 12 will be a big fundraising day for the group, with a special “Doughnuts with Princesses and Pirates” event for kids ages 12 and under, as well as a Zumba fundraiser, both taking place at the Boalsburg Fire Hall.
Sock & Buskin’s next performance will be another interactive murder mystery comedy, “Cutthroat Christmas,” written by Austin and Williamson, and taking place at Titan Hollow on Dec. 8, 9 and
10. Audience members are encouraged to wear ugly Christmas sweaters and will be asked to participate in solving a mystery surrounding a murder at a company Christmas party.
The group is currently recruiting volunteers to serve as part of the production staff for that show and will soon be holding open auditions for future productions.
“We have tons of opportunities, and we really want to get as many people involved as possible, whether you are experienced or not. We are very big on training and teaching people,” Austin said.
While the 2023 schedule has not yet been finalized, Austin said Sock & Buskin is planning another murder mystery in February, and the company has already secured the Boal Barn in Boalsburg as the venue for a full-length play in April.
For more information about auditioning, volunteering, sponsoring or buying tickets for future performances, visit www.sockandbuskintc.org.
