Behind the Curtain: Rebecca Rhinehart & William Bowman of Bexley Theatre Arts
Rebecca Rhinehart, Bexley’s Theatre Arts Director, and William Bowman, District Assistant Theatre Director, have put on many incredible shows. The middle school musical, Newsies Jr., just wrapped up and rehearsals for The Music Man (opening April 13) and Circus Olympus (opening May 18) are now underway.
Rhinehart, as the students call her, has been with BCS for 17 years teaching theater, acting and stage craft. She previously taught at West High School and says her mother got her into theater, not knowing what else to do with an extremely loud and creative kid. After a childhood filled with acting, singing, dancing, writing, playing music, horseback riding, and “trying and quitting nearly every sport,” Rebecca decided to be a theater teacher and applied to Ohio State after her family moved here from Virginia her senior year. After earning dual BA degrees in English and Theatre and a Masters in Education, she managed Rocket Venues, a company that operates venues for the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.
William got into theater as a Maryland Elementary student and continued through high school. Inspired by his grandfather, a 6th grade Maryland teacher for 35 years, William got a degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in French from University of Cincinnati. He worked with adults with disabilities at PALS while also assistant directing for Bexley until he had the opportunity to move to France. A visa that expired at the onset of COVID brought him home. Altogether, William has been assistant director for five years.
The theater is an amazing home away from home for so many, and as Bexley Theatre Arts celebrates its 20th year, we wanted to get to know the directors better.
What has been your favorite show so far?
Rebecca: Many :) There are some where the finished show gave me chills, some where the whole rehearsal experience was incredibly rewarding and some are both. My mom passed away during The Drowsy Chaperone–the day before tech rehearsal. I’m not sure how I would have gotten through such a tough time without the love and support of my theatre family, and that production, cast and crew holds a warm spot in my heart. The Theatre Parents gifted my mom a chair in the Schottenstein Theatre and I sit in it every tech day.
William: All of them! Actually, one of my favorite shows was one I didn't work on at all. I loved The Drowsy Chaperone, which happened between my graduation and returning as an employee.
When you're not at school, what do you like to do for fun?
Rebecca: I am NEVER bored. In my free time I paint, play piano and ukulele, sing in church choir, take improv classes, read everything I can find, watch indie films, go to concerts, travel, write, try to eat at every restaurant in Columbus, listen to podcasts, craft, and sketch.
William: Oh, so many things. I love reading, knitting, going on walks/hiking, trying new restaurants, I am really involved with my church (Cross City Church), music (I recently got a cello), I sing with Bexley Choral Society, I love learning languages on Duolingo, board games, watching TV and movies, anything crafty, and of course, theatre.
Do you have any special talents?
Rebecca: I am really creative and quick-witted. I love to make people smile. I can see shows in my head when I read them and I know just how they should be staged. I am a good storyteller, entertainer, actor, musician, painter, writer, director, and leader. I am also really loud and my voice is a big strength, especially with middle schoolers. lol.
William: Patience and organization.
What’s your favorite part of the process of putting together a show?
Rebecca: My favorite things about directing are telling a story -- I love working with the cast on meaning/purpose -- and creating worlds. My favorite part of the Bexley Theatre Arts process is on closing. I have no role that day except as a chaperone. This is the students’ production and by the last day everyone knows their roles and what they need to do. I love to watch the students take possession of the show and make it their own: the older and more experienced leading the younger and greener. The students have autonomy and their creativity, ingenuity, devotion, collaboration, and leadership make the shows much better than I ever could.
William: My favorite part of the show process is opening night. The week leading up to the show is too hectic to enjoy. After rehearsing and running the show so many times our energy level is lower than the basement. But on opening night all of that energy comes back in spades and you can see the enjoyment of the students’ faces as they finally get to perform for an audience. They get to show off hours and hours of really hard work and they flourish off the audience's energy.
What else would you like people to know about the theater program?
Rebecca: The best thing about Bexley Theatre Arts is the structure that allows us to involve all grade levels and for students to mentor both their peers and younger students. We are one of the only local districts that has a theatre department that caters to all grade levels. All productions are given the same level of respect. We also have theater ensemble shows, HS and MS improv shows, and I teach Theatre classes at the High School: Intro to Theatre, Stage Craft, and Theatre Ensemble.
William: We are so happy to be celebrating 20 years of Bexley Theatre Arts and we wish that we had a better archive of all our shows. We are working on a production archive, so if you have or know someone who has a video, pictures or production item of a Bexley Theatre Arts production, please send them to me. We couldn't be half of what we are without the community support. And, we couldn't be any of what we are without the students’ dedication.
