Windsor Jesters: Performing for Ages

Live theater is the original interactive entertainment. The audience eavesdrops on the lives of the characters; the actors present the characters as real people living those moments; and the crew creates the scene for the character with lighting, setting and costuming.

This is what a group of Windsor residents were learning about in their  Adult Education Theater class in 1950. When the class ended, the group decided in Mickey and Judy fashion to continue their education by putting on a show: The Ghost Train, and they just kept going, producing up to three full shows a year.

For 60 years, the Windsor Jesters have been presenting live theater in Windsor with a completely volunteer cast and crew. The Jesters  credits include a combination of full productions, Children's Theater, One-Act entertainment and special historical character recreations for the Windsor Historical Society.

Originally, the Jesters performed at the Loomis-Chaffee School but now you will find them a the L.P. Wilson Community Center sharing props, costumes and sets with the town's youth theater program.

Windsor Jesters' former President Sharon Burr and her husband moved to town in 1967, and being theater bugs they asked the Welcome Wagon Lady if there was any type of theater group in Windsor. The answer was "no," and it wasn't until 1972 that Sharon Burr learned the truth that the Jesters were in town and busy. 

The Jesters have come full circle; they are now looking to teach stagecraft to interested volunteers. Burr notes that one of the early members is an expert at set design and construction, but since he is in his eighties, he'd love to have someone to mentor. You can "fulfill that creative need," she says, by taking your interest in home decor or fashion design and put it to use on set decoration or costuming. The Jesters also have a need for people interested in learning lighting and sound design or who would like to learn about the business side of show business.

"Live theater brings a dimension to entertainment that can't be achieved through movies or television or other electronic media," states Burr. You can be a part of the Windsor Jesters backstage, onstage or in the audience. The Jesters are having a membership drive and meet at L. P. Wilson Community Center on the first Thursday of each month.

Purchase your tickets in advance for Robert Harling's Steel Magnolias and save $3. The show runs: April 1, 2 & 9 at 8:00 p.m. and April 10th at 2:00 p.m. at the LP Wilson Community Center, 599 Matianuck Avenue, Windsor. For ticket information or reservations, please call:  860-688-1526.

*In a previous version of this story, originally posted on Fri., March 25, 2011, it was erroneously reported that Sharon Burr "is directing the upcoming production of 'Steel Magnolias,' which opens April 1.” The director of "Steel Magnolias is in fact Ken Aveline.