Move Over Broadway director seeks a home for her troupe

Marlene Strollo founded Move Over Broadway in 1994 to fulfill a personal desire to direct plays.
She felt that local directing opportunities were not opening up for her after earning her bachelor's degree in theater from Youngstown State University.
Her original degree was in science but, after getting married and having a family, she took an intensive musical theater workshop in 1981 at the Youngstown Playhouse. "It was five hours a day, five days a week, for five weeks," Strollo said. "We learned singing, dancing and acting, then did a performance. In 1984, I had my first part in Carousel at Salem Community Theater, directed by Jack Ballantyne. That's when I knew I wanted to go back to school."
From 1987 to 1991, Strollo worked at the Playhouse, eventually becoming general manager, and from there she moved to the Symphony. She was also the drama director at Canfield High School from 1993 to 1997, at which time she founded Move Over Broadway.
"Winter Fantasy" was the company's first production.
"We were given the privilege to use the high school auditorium by the superintendent and board at the time because of my position as drama director," Strollo said.
Company's journey
After she left the school, the group also lost its venue, so Strollo bought the Pointview Ballroom in Green Township. "I rented it out for dancing," Strollo said. "Every time we did a play, we built a new stage. But one of our biggest obstacles was getting an audience and selling enough tickets. Our only source of income has always been from ticket revenues and program ads. We have always operated in the black, but just barely."
Strollo sold the ballroom after three years because it became unprofitable, and the group used the Old North Baptist Church on state Route 46 in Canfield for a short period. There, the group performed "Evita" and other plays. Strollo said Move Over Broadway has always done big-name shows, especially musicals, her preference.
Soon another opportunity came along, and the group found a new venue at Southwoods Auditorium in Southwoods Commons. "We were allowed to use this building because of the generosity of Denise DeBartolo York and stayed there until the building was recently sold," Strollo said.
The new owner terminated the lease, and once again Move Over Broadway found itself without a venue.
Performing in church
The company wanted to do a summer show, so Strollo's church, St. Michael's in Canfield, allowed Move Over Broadway to use its facilities, where the group produced "Honk," the story of the ugly duckling.
"We promised the biggest part of the profits to the church, but by the time we paid royalties, musicians and other expenses, we barely broke even," Strollo said. "The crew and cast are volunteers. The lights at the church were not adequate, so that was a necessary expense. We just kept enough of the profits to pay the royalties for the next show, which must be paid up front."
Strollo said there has never been a core group of actors, and she holds open auditions for each play. All of the plays are family oriented, and she has had cast members as young as 6 and as old as 85.
The company is planning some kind of holiday show with a religious tone, with carols, liturgical dance and movement on stage, so it will be more than just a concert. It will be performed at St. Michael's.
But ideally, the group needs a permanent home.