‘Rudolph’ comes to life at West Cabarrus YMCA

We all know the song about Rudolph and how he came to guide Santa’s sleigh – and maybe you watch the movie on TV every year – but live theater is literally bringing this classic holiday story to life this year.

You can see this special performance of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” thanks to the hard work and dedication of Wrenn Goodrum, founder of ACTivate Community Through Theatre.

“I acted from a child …recruited family and neighborhood kids to be in plays I wrote, with costumes and sets I made,” Goodrum said. “I was chosen to attend a Girl Scout intensive theater camp outside of New York City when I was 16 and saw my first Broadway play: Zoe Caldwell in ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.’

“I remember thinking, ‘This is where I want to live.’ ”

Eight years later, Goodrum did just that.

“I graduated from the N.C. School of the Arts, studied theater for a year in London, and after graduation, I moved to New York City, where I acted off-Broadway and in a couple of soap operas before finding my true passion: teaching and directing young people,” she said.

Ten years later, she headed to Rhode Island, where she started a very successful youth arts education program. Then in 2005 she started traveling to North Carolina regularly to help out her ailing mom. She starting reconnecting with her brothers and decided to return to the Old North State permanently.

“I am not really sure what drove me to leave all my friends, the Ocean State, incredible theater companies and the children’s theater I had nurtured for 22 years – but something beyond my power brought me back to North Carolina … a new adventure,” said Goodrum.

At the time, her mother was in a senior citizens facility, and Goodrum came up with a unique idea. She started offering acting classes to the senior adults and produced “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” for the residents.

“My family performed, and I played the Grinch,” she said. “I found a new passion: activating the senior community through theater.”

Now she offers programs for both youth and seniors. Her production of “Rudolph” is being performed at various locations around the area, and some shows have already passed. But there are still four more to go.

The next shows will be at 2 and 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at the West Cabarrus YMCA, 5325 Langford Ave., in Concord. Another show will take place at 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 22 at Woodlawn School, 135 Woodlawn Loop, Mooresville. Tickets are $8 for children and $10 for adults. For reservations call 704-707-6757.

“I feel there is a loss of community with children’s focus on electronic entertainment,” said Goodrum. “We could be headed to a world where no one communicates verbally or in face-to-face.… Community theater brings people together.

“Theater is a powerful art. It has the potential to change lives through participation, or as an audience member.”

For more information on Goodrum’s theater company, visit www.activatecommunitythroughtheatre.com.