June 5, 2024

Building Community Through Theater: Samantha Werre’s Story

by Katelyn Langwith

Fairmont Area Community Theater is one of Fairmont Opera House’s most impactful programs that is put on every year. Many parents of youth theater students are involved with helping us put on programming, including Samantha Werre. 

Samantha Werre, who moved to Fairmont with her family in the summer of 2020, is the current  Vice Chair of the Fairmont Opera House Board of Directors and an enthusiastic advocate for community theater.  She shares with us why she got involved and what she finds to be most important about the work that we do here at Fairmont Opera House. 

Making Memories

Reflecting on her journey, Samantha shares, “For as long as I can remember, the performing arts have been an important part of my life. Some of my most treasured childhood memories are of going to the theater with my mom and performing in school and community theater productions. ” Her decision to join the board was driven by a desire to create cherished memories with her own family and become more involved with  her community.

Community Connection Through Theater

For Samantha and countless others, the Fairmont Opera House is more than just a venue—it’s a home for the arts, a place where families gather to create lasting memories and forge connections with their community. Samantha’s daughter’s participation in a holiday youth theater production exemplifies the transformative power of community theater, as she found her passion and a sense of belonging.

“I joined the board because the Fairmont Opera House has been a key component in making Fairmont feel like home for me and my family after moving here in 2020” Samantha reflects. “It helped us become more connected to our community, have fun, and experience new things, all during a time when the world felt very uncertain. I will never forget the night after one of my daughter’s  first rehearsals when she told me that she had “finally found her people” – the Fairmont Opera House will always hold a special place in my heart because of that. “

Accessible, Quality Entertainment for All

Samantha’s excitement about the Fairmont Opera House extends beyond its role as a cultural hub—it’s about accessibility, quality, and affordability. “The accessibility of arts and entertainment that the Fairmont Opera House provides to our community is a huge asset,” she says. “The FOH provides such a wide range of productions and it always amazes me what I have seen without having to travel to the Cities or another larger metro area. It brings people together, giving space for us to learn about each other and support one another.” Moreover, she celebrates the Opera House’s commitment to providing professional youth theater productions, ensuring that every child in the school district has the opportunity to experience the magic of live theater. “For some kids, that is the only time they will ever get to see a play or stage production, and the quality of the work is always incredible.”

Investing in Community Growth

As Samantha emphasizes, supporting the Fairmont Opera House is an investment in community growth and vitality. “The Fairmont Opera house is part of what makes Fairmont unique,” she asserts. “If we want to see Fairmont not just thrive but grow, then we need to invest in the arts and in the Fairmont Opera House.”

In preserving and supporting community theater at the Fairmont Opera House, we honor the legacy of our past while building a brighter future for generations to come. Together, let us continue to celebrate the transformative power of the performing arts and the enduring bonds of community that define us as residents of Fairmont.

To learn more about our work here at Fairmont Opera House or share your own story with us, click the links below!