Written by Wheeling Park High School’s Alex Fabrizio. Alex is a contributing writer to The Park Press.
Theater in Wheeling has been around for several years, with one theater serving as a gateway for the youth to find their love and passion for this craft.
Towngate Theater has been a staple of the local arts scene since 1969, with a teen summer program that actually predates it, beginning in 1967. The Parcel Players is a program that inspires young performers to gather and get the training they need to prepare for a long and successful life on the stage. Many young actors have taken their first steps onto the boards right here in Wheeling, learning both the technical craft and the collaborative spirit that theater demands.
Erin Bond: Directing with Heart and Purpose
One director, in particular, has dedicated her life to inspiring the youth who dream of hitting the Great White Way. Erin Bond has been a professional performer and director for several years. For the past three years, she has called Towngate home, taking on a pivotal role during the teen summer season.
“I was given an opportunity to start directing at a fairly young age in Orlando in a professional setting. I love acting and approach my directing jobs with an actor’s mind,” said Bond.
Since joining Towngate, she has directed standout productions such as Little Women, Little Shop of Horrors, and Bye Bye Birdie, all of which sold out. Her choices are intentional. “When I pick a show, I think the audience will like it. Can I cast it correctly? Does it have an uplifting message or positive feeling to it?” she said.
This mindset is especially vital when directing an all-teen cast. Erin understands that many of her students see theater as more than a hobby—they see it as a future. Her mission is to help guide them with care, honesty, and integrity.
“I pray that my students know in their hearts that I truly care about them. It is way more important to help develop young actors and performers to be good people, ahead of being good performers—being kind, working hard, and maintaining a high standard of excellence. These are life skills, and these qualities are what I hope to bring out in my students. Theater is a team sport, no room for selfishness or diva attitudes,” she shared.
More Than a Performance: A Lasting Impact
Students who work with Erin walk away with much more than stage experience. “One thing I’ve taken away from working with Erin is how to portray characters in a more believable manner,” said student Jana Schodzinski.
Whether it’s performing or directing, everyone has a goal in mind when it comes to a show. For Erin, it’s all about fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. “For me to personally feel challenged and grow. To make each person feel valued, seen, and heard,” she said.
Beyond her work at Towngate, Erin is also a well-loved choir and theater teacher at The Linsly School. For her, transitioning from a career in professional theater to education came naturally.
“I came to teach theater and choir because of practical necessity. But it is easy to make those transitions from professional actor to teacher when you feel strongly about passing on knowledge, experience, and passion to the next generation,” said Bond.
From helping kids find their voice to mentoring them as they pursue their Broadway dreams, Erin Bond continues to be a guiding force for young performers across the Ohio Valley.
