Features

MEET RHINOLEAP

by Jordan Willis

Meet RhinoLeap: one of Asheboro’s premiere theatre companies that has been creating a remarkable social impact in our community for over four years. RhinoLeap was officially founded by father-and-son duo Tom Osteen and Patrick Osteen as a non-profit theatre in April 2017, though the company produced shows two summers prior at the North Carolina School for the Arts. “We talk about the previous two summers in terms of our history, but we really began when we decided to root ourselves in Asheboro,” explained Jeremy. Education is at the heart of RhinoLeap’s mission. When in-person gatherings were forbidden last year due to COVID-19, the company created online education for local high schoolers. Before the pandemic, RhinoLeap held residencies at Asheboro High School and Randolph Community College. During this time, they would go into the schools and perform alongside professional actors and teach master classes in student-generated projects. “So much of what we do is capture the curious,” said Jeremy. “If a student is curious about what we’re doing when they see us after school, they don’t have to go anywhere or pay anything: they simply need to walk over and we’ll invite them in to learn and create with us.” While RhinoLeap teaches standard theatre classes like movement, puppetry, and music, they also structure their classes around the desire to build communication and

empathy, and to increase abstract problem solving. Even teenagers who do not necessarily wish to pursue a career in theatre can find a world of wealth within these classes and residencies. RhinoLeap isn’t necessarily looking to train actors: they want to teach young adults how to be more capable and self-confident human beings. The organization intends to not only continue their educational outreach, but to expand. In the upcoming years, they plan to hold residencies at three public, Randolph County high schools per year. Their goal is to reach each of the nine public high schools in the area at least once within a four-year cycle, that way every high schooler will have the opportunity to work with theatre professionals before they graduate. Beyond our local high schools, RhinoLeap also plans to hold residencies with other high schools throughout North Carolina. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

The folks at RhinoLeap are also working on two different documentary series: one of which is a six-part series about entrepreneurs in our state, the other of which is titled “Making North Carolina” and will feature the history, art, and architecture of our state. They are currently working on the pilot for the latter show and will pitch it to PBS soon with the hopes of creating an entire series. They are also partnering with the Juvenile Crime Prevention Counsel and the Juvenile Day Reporting Center to develop mental health-oriented programs to reach local at-risk children and young adults. RhinoLeap is also partnering with Venture Asheboro to create another exciting program for young people. Next summer the three organizations will be hosting a social

entrepreneurship camp, wherein community leaders will pick a particular challenge they feel teenagers are facing right now and ask teams of high school students to come up with proposals that will solve the problem. Whichever team creates the strongest solution within two weeks will have their policies implemented by the City of Asheboro and receive prize money for their hard work. While 50% of this company is based in education, the other 50% is focused on creating quality theatrical productions for our community. This month RhinoLeap, RSVP Community Theatre, and Randolph Youth Theatre Company are teaming up to present The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the historic Sunset Theatre. This musical follows the story of six teenagers competing in a spelling bee. While they compete, they have flashbacks to other points in their lives wherein the audience gets to know the kids and their families’ lives. With a wondrous whirlwind of live music and dancing, families and audiences of all ages are sure to be delighted by this show! The judges will be played by professional actors, the parents are played by adults associated with RSVP, and the teenagers will be played by young actors associated with RYTC. If you would like to see the exciting, combined efforts of Asheboro’s three theatre companies, you can catch The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the historic Sunset Theatre July 10th.

Set of The Glass Menagerie

Clyde L. Foust Performing Arts Center - INTRODUCING CULTURE – Sometimes adults don’t know what kids want to do. So directors of the George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center/Clyde L. Foust Performing Arts Center, are seeking input from area youth to help build worthwhile programs, introducing them to various types of visual and performing arts. Community leaders are looking to area youth to help revitalize East Side.

EASTSIDE ASHEBORO LOOKS TO FUTURE WITH EDUCATION, ARTS AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL

Story and Photos by Greta Lint

Efforts are underway to revive the Eastside community of Asheboro. Once you could feel safe walking down the street to visit neighbors and not lock your door. No more. So discussions and events are being held to build a “healthy community.”

After the death of George Floyd, local activist Dimitria McSwain participated in the downtown Asheboro march. Feeling like she was creating local history, she pondered - “If we, in Asheboro, can join people on a national level to elevate awareness of racial issues, then what can we do locally to help ourselves?”

She formed a non-profit organization, The Hope for Eastside. Her goal is to create a “healthy community,” by bridging gaps between races, youth and seniors and local residents and all levels of local government – including schools and the community college.

She cited the lack of an active Boys & Girls Club and a learning center. She said a building across the street from the soup kitchen could provide classroom space for persons wanting to get their GED, learn about jobs and take some university classes through Randolph Community College. The building is walking distance from many of the Eastside homes. She added youth and seniors need to help each another.

“It all starts with communication. We need to get to know each other and build relationships. We need to know the elected officials and the government employees. They need to know us. The city and county should be able to reach out to key people who live here. We need to engage our neighbors. But unfortunately, most are not interested in getting involved,” McSwain said.

Betty Foust looks to the next generations as part of the solution and agrees with McSwain about communication. Betty is one of the founders of the George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center/Clyde L. Foust Performing Arts Center (GWCCEC). Since the passing of her late husband, the building is being used, but not enough. Clyde, who was one of the first students to graduate from RCC’s photography school, hoped to introduce more culture to Asheboro and Randolph County. He wanted

the facility used for art development and expression. Now Betty asks what would put the sparkle in kids’ eyes?

Joel Leonard, founder of the first mobile makerspace in North Carolina, said that kids may not know what their interests are until they have an opportunity to find out. During four days in May, Leonard set up the mobile makerspace at Eastside Park. Kids ages 6 - 19 learned how to make laptop computer tables, use screwdrivers, sandpaper, L-brackets, paint brushes and acrylic paints. They saw equipment that is being used in local manufacturing plants – CNC router, laser printer and 3-D printer - and learned about the money that can be made. They watched the laser printer engrave their faces into wood.

“You could see the light bulbs turn on,” Leonard said. “They had put the phone down and were having fun learning something new.”

The two organizations are recruiting volunteers and sponsors and developing programs that residents will find useful and entertaining. In June, volunteers drove to Siler City to get the last of the federally-funded groceries for local residents. Each Thursday, sessions are held at the GWCCEC to address crime, safety and re-entering the workforce. Future community activities include “Nightmare on Elm Street,” a Halloween haunted house,

NEW EXPERIENCE – Educational events at Eastside Park show kids how to use tools instead of cell phones and games.

WORKING TOGETHER – The Table owner, Dustie Gregson, and her staff gave the kids pointers on painting techniques.

HANDY – Creative juices were flowing for this 6-year old who found his hand to be a palette.

FOOD DELIVERY – In June, Eastside volunteers drove to Siler City to pick up food to be distributed to local residents.

“Christmas on Elm Street”, and the annual Community Angels celebration, honoring local unsung heroes. It will be held on Sunday, July 18 at the GWCCEC located at 950 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. Soon, a refrigerated Blessing Box will be located at the GWCCEC. It will hold food and personal and household necessities. Yes, a “healthy community.” For information, call Betty Foust (336) 2675420 or McSwain at (336) 257-5327.

FEATURE

On your mark… get set… Cruise!

by Jordan Willis

Start your engines!

Cruising for a Cause is hitting Fayetteville St. for its second year! If you enjoy going on late-night drives, connecting with members of our community, and supporting charities, then buckle up and read about how you can become involved!

Cruising for a Cause began in May of last year, back when the whole world was still in lockdown from COVID-19. Everyone was home, no events were happening anywhere, political tensions were growing increasingly higher, and the stir-craziness and disconnection were creeping into our souls. This is when GroundedElegance Car Club’s Michael Scott Allred and Brightside Gallery’s Mary Murkin teamed up to host cruising events in Asheboro.

Back in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, something teenagers used to do – before there was social media – was cruise in their cars. In towns all across America, there would be a main drag in each town where teenagers would cruise up and down all night long.

“People were chomping at the bit for something to do, so we wanted to give the community a way to come together in a safe way,” said Mary Murkin. “Hosting a cruise seemed like the perfect solution!”

Michael and Mary contacted the City of Asheboro, who helped them set up a four mile stretch from North to South Fayetteville St. and parking lots on each end where people could turn around. They originally named the event Asheboro Summer Cruising and only expected a handful of people to come out. When over 1,800 people showed up for the first cruising, the duo realized that they had the ability to create something that could help others.

“I figured if I can get people to come out, why not do a cruise for a charity?”, Michael said. That’s when Asheboro Summer Cruising transformed into Cruising for a Cause!

Between June and November of last year, each Cruising supported a different local cause on the last Saturday of every month. They set up a donation station for the Christian United Outreach Center (CUOC) Food Bank, a local disabled vet organization called Hometown Heroes, the local SPCA, the Family Crisis Center, and Toys for Tots. On Halloween night, GroundedElegance and Brightside Gallery – with the help of the City of Asheboro – set up five different parking lots where kids could safely go trunk or treating. Each lot featured a different car club passing out candy to children as their parents drove their kids through the parking lots. Each club was told to have enough candy for 5,000 kids, and by the end of the night every sweet treat had been given to a child.

“That event was all for the children,” Mary commented. “We wanted them to still have Halloween!”

The Cruisings are also great for Asheboro businesses: many cruisers support our local restaurants, shops, and hotels during their time here. Michael and Mary also invite food trucks and musicians to join in the fun to help support their livelihoods. The food truck and entertainment industries were hit hard during 2020 since there were no events taking place, so the Cruisings were a safe way to help these business owners and artists profit. The food trucks were parked in different parking lots and live bands were set up along the strip so the cruisers could cruise through, get food, listen to good music, and keep on driving.

As the events gained more traction, the North Carolina Department of Tourism reached out to GroundedElegance and Brightside Gallery to help out. Asheboro-based radio station 99.9 WZOO asked to be the official radio station for the Cruisings. Host Milton “Uncle Milty” McDowell was the emcee from 8PM until midnight, during which time he played no news, regular programming, or commercials: just cruising music! Uncle Milty took song requests from drivers and periodically did giveaways for the cruisers.

Cruising for a Cause’s second season officially kicked off in April of this year, wherein they supported the Family Crisis Center. Last month, the cruisers donated to the Boys and Girl’s Club. This month nonperishable foods will be taken up for CUOC, and July will support Randolph County Veteran Services. If you would like to take part in these events, all you need to do is drive up to Fayetteville St. on the last Saturday of the month and join in the fun! Donation stations will be set up at Northgate Commons on N. Fayetteville St. For more information on Cruising for a Cause and GroundedElegance Car Club’s other events, be sure to check out the Asheboro Summer Cruise Series 2021 Facebook page!