Community theater helps Baumholder embrace change

By Dijon Rolle, USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Public AffairsAugust 12, 2014

Community theater helps Baumholder embrace change
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Community theater helps Baumholder embrace change
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This year has been one of great change for the Baumholder military community, but there are still a few things that remain the same for residents of the "The Rock."

In May U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder became the Baumholder Military Community under the newly formed USAG Rheinland-Pfalz. The move was part of the Army's ongoing transformation efforts across Europe.

However, there are still some things that remain untouched by transformation, like the Hilltop Community Theater on Smith Barracks.

Theater staff along with the Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills Unlimited program, recently hosted a summer theater camp for children 6-18, one of many activities held there throughout the year.

Entertainment manager Eric Danzeiser said these types of programs have been key to helping Baumholder community members adjust to change.

"The Baumholder community went through a drawdown and we got very small and we kind of lost our identity and we lost our commander, we're now falling under Rheinland-Pfalz," he said.

"Things like this help keep the community focused, keep the community going and let's all the newcomers know that there are still things here, still services here for the newcomers and we're a growing vibrant community."

The Texas native and former service member has always loved to perform and sees his latest role as a dream come true.

"I've worked for the military and I've done other jobs and when the opportunity came to make my hobby my career, I had to jump at it. This is something that I have always done and I've always loved doing," Danzeiser said.

"We all work more than 40 hours a week here, but it's because it's what we love to do."

Nate Watson, Child, Youth and School Services Instructional Program Specialist and 12-year community resident, added that programs like the summer theater camp have also helped to bring residents from other communities to Baumholder.

"The response has been phenomenal, especially when you get kids from other communities driving from Ramstein and Landstuhl to join our programs, that's what makes it very special," Watson said.

"We're a small community but we are a big community as far as doing programs and activities for family members."

The sustained interest has also benefitted the Hilltop Theater itself, which originally started out in a warehouse in the back of the community swimming pool.

Two years ago the Hilltop relocated to its current building on Smith Barracks and last year, more than 200 community volunteers put in 10,000 plus man hours renovating the facility and supporting performances.

"It's a tremendous amount of work but when people fall in love with theater, they fall in love with it. They're willing to come in and put in hours and hours," Danzeiser said.

Hilltop performers produce seven adult shows and two youth shows a year. Their next scheduled performance is Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple," starting in September.