A performance space where fireplaces fill the room and café tables surround a small stage is nestled above a martini bar in German Village. The space is home to a unique theatre company, founded by Ohio State alumnus Ryan Scarlata.
Club Diversity Theatre Company originally began as a male gay bar. Now it is a gathering place for people of any background, sexuality or persuasion.
"You can be 25 or 85 and you can be comfortable here," said Marie Godwin, co-owner of the bar.
Godwin, an artist herself, said she and co-owner, Davina Lapczynski, love the arts and have tried to cultivate a piano bar atmosphere.
To further the cabaret feeling and to be more inclusive of all the arts, Godwin and Lapczynski decided to open a theater space in the second floor of the bar. This presented former OSU student Scarlata with a great opportunity.
Scarlata graduated in August 2006 with a bachelor's degree in theatre. He then worked as a regular jazz vocalist at Club Diversity and heard Godwin and Lapczynski were creating a performance space above the bar.
He grabbed the opportunity to get involved and approached them with a business proposal.
"It's really hard trying to start a business, especially when your product isn't something you need or want everyday," Scarlata said.
The company opened their season with OSU alumna Bonnie Milligan's original senior distinction project, "A Girl's Gotta Eat: The Musical." The company has produced three shows and the fourth, "Songs for a New World," is currently in production.
"In every show thus far, we've always had at least one person (who is) an OSU theatre major," Scarlata said.
Allison Walker, an OSU alumna who also graduated in August 2006 with a bachelor's degree in theatre, reinforced the idea of professional development.
She said the goal of the company is to provide young actors with the chance to work in a semi-professional environment, in a venue outside of the educational model or traditional community theater.
Meredith Lark, a sophomore in theatre, is an actor in "Songs for a New World." She has acted in Ohio State department of theatre productions "The Rocky Horror Show," "The Cradle Will Rock" and "Hair."
This is Lark's first production with Club Diversity and she said, "It's more collaborative. It's not about a grade or impressing a director or peers."
Scarlata enjoys the intimacy and versatility of the space.
"You can't help but start to talk to the person next to you. People leave knowing more people than when they came," he said.
The space itself is very unique with cabaret style seating and a full bar for the theater patrons. Because of the intimate nature of the space, in addition to having a 15-foot stage, shows are limited to nine actors.
Scarlata uses the non-traditional performance space to his advantage.
"I try not to think about restrictions. I try to think about opportunities," he said.
When choosing shows for the season, Scarlata takes several risks, selecting shows people are normally afraid to do.
An artistic daredevil, Scarlata said he knows if he stages something risky in the space, the results will be more effective.
"If I pull it off, it's going to be a breathtaker," he said.
Godwin said Club Diversity is a group of profession of people and give productions far surpassing the original scope of their performance space.
"They have yet to let us down. We didn't expect the level of professionalism they give us," she said.
For information about Club Diversity Theatre Company visit
www.clubdiversity.com. Tickets for "Songs for a New World" can be bought online through the Web site. The show runs April 12 - 28. Adult tickets are $15, student and senior tickets are $12.50 and the discounted rate for Theatre 100 students is $8.
Meg Greene can be reached at greene.681@osu.edu.
2008 Woodie Awards
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