The Theatre Bug Bites Hard – Brought to you by Coromandel’s CFM
There are many conditions that sweep through communities. The common cold. Hay fever. A mysterious urge to buy another keep cup despite already owning six. But perhaps none is quite as contagious, or as delightfully inconvenient, as the theatre bug.
It starts innocently enough. You volunteer for one little show. Perhaps you borrow a funny costume. Maybe you sing one song. Before long you’re discussing harmonies over dinner, referring to complete strangers as “cast family”, and wondering if you could squeeze one more rehearsal into the week.
Just ask Baxter Ward.
Although now proudly waving the theatrical flag for Morrinsville Theatre, his story actually begins much closer to home. His Poppa spent his whole life in Whangamata, while Baxter’s own childhood was sprinkled with weekends and holidays across Onemana, Whiritoa and Hot Water Beach. Like many of us, the Coromandel has always felt less like a destination and more like an old friend.
His first production arrived in 2017 when he played Donkey in *Shrek Jr.*. Some people leave their first show thinking, “Well, that was fun.” Baxter left wondering when the next rehearsal started.
These days he finds himself behind the piano as Musical Director, helping young performers discover talents they often didn’t know they possessed. Some arrive already reading music with ease.
Others simply arrive with enthusiasm. Somehow, by opening night, they all sound like they belong together. It is theatre magic, although Baxter would probably tell you it mostly involves patient rehearsals and saying, “Let’s try that one more time.”
The Morrinsville Theatre itself has an equally charming origin story. Once upon a time it was an indoor cricket centre. Somewhere along the way someone looked around and apparently decided, “You know what this place needs? Jazz hands.”
It turns out they were absolutely right.
What shines brightest is not the building but the people inside it. Volunteers welcome audiences, parents quietly solve impossible costume problems, committees keep the lights on, and creative teams somehow transform enthusiastic youngsters into confident performers.
Baxter’s favourite moment comes each closing night, as the final song fills the theatre and every rehearsal, every missed note and every nervous smile suddenly makes perfect sense.
The theatre bug, it seems, is incurable.
Fortunately, nobody is looking for a vaccine.
Words by Fabian Roberts
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