Thursday, January 7
At the Winthrop Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting on Thursday, January 7, David Setchell, director of the Winthrop High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) will speak about the role that the facility plays at the school and in the community. Those who attend the breakfast meeting will have the opportunity to learn more about what’s been happening at the PAC over the past several years as well as what is planned for 2010 and beyond.
The purpose of the PAC is to enrich the school curriculum and serve as a community resource. The PAC has been up and running for more than five years, and Setchell has been the director for the past four.
“The most exciting and enjoyable parts of what I do truly revolve around the kids,” says Setchell. “The students get real world training on state-of-the-art equipment and learn the way the pros work.”
During Setchell’s tenure, the frequency with which the PAC is used has grown significantly. Community and school events, such as dance recitals and instrumental and vocal concerts, routinely keep the facility in use three out of four weeks per month.
Unfortunately, flood damage that occurred over the summer forced the closing of the PAC for repairs in the fall. The venue recently reopened and, although many events haven’t been scheduled, plans are underway to bring in some of the acts that have performed at the PAC in the past, including the highly successful Lakeside Revue, starring local actor Dennis Price.
Going forward, Setchell will be searching for new acts to continue to draw audiences and scheduling as many community and school events as possible.
“We truly want to be the center of things,” continues Setchell. “We are always striving to get there.”
Setchell attended Castleton State College in Vermont, where he majored in theatre arts. Upon graduation, he served first as general manager at the Greenbrier Valley Theatre in West Virginia and subsequently as the theatre teacher at Gilford High School in New Hampshire. He and his wife reside in Gardiner.
The Winthrop Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting on Thursday, January 7 will be held at the Winthrop Area Federal Credit Union (located at the intersection of Route 202 and Highland Avenue in Winthrop). The cost is $5 per person, to be paid at the door. A light breakfast will be provided beginning at 7:15 am and the meeting will start at 7:30 am and end promptly at 8:30 am. The meeting, which is generously sponsored by Brian S. Berry & Associates, CPAs, is open to the public. No reservations are required.
For more detailed information about this event and/or the Winthrop Area Chamber of Commerce, please go to www.winthropchamber.org, call 207-377-8020, or send an email to info@winthropchamber.org.
