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News-Sun photo by CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY Pete Pollard (left) describes Roy Riedy's legacy at a dedication ceremony Tuesday for the Roy Riedy Archives and Library at the Highlands Little Theatre.

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published: Friday, August 17, 2012

HLT opens the Roy Riedy Archives and Library

By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY

christopher.tuffley@newssun.com

SEBRING -- Members and supporters of the Highlands Little Theatre gathered Tuesday to celebrate the opening of its Roy Riedy Archives and Library.

The research space is in the original ticket box office. It is small, but there are built-in bookcases with plenty more room, and a desk on one wall for making notes.

Naming the archives after Riedy was a natural idea, longtime HLT actor, director and producer Pete Pollard told the group of more than two dozen. Riedy's own archive forms the heart of the collection, Pollard said. He had been "an integral part of HLT's history right from the beginning in 1974," acting in 11 plays and directing or co-directing three.

Over the years Riedy, who taught drama at Sebring High School and wrote reviews of HLT productions for the News-Sun, collected programs and press clippings. He had complete cast and crew lists for virtually every production, and put this information together in a three-volume work, which, while lacking a narrative, is filled with interesting facts.

Pollard said, "His archive is the start of our archive." The plan is to expand the collection. For example, in the near future videos of some productions will be available for viewing. Donations of HLT-related material will be gratefully accepted.

The archives are open to the public, but only HLT members may check items out. Please call in advance.

The 2012 season's final production will open Friday Aug. 24. "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is a musical comedy about six overachieving teens as they cope with the pressures of a major spelling contest. The show has "quirky" characters, a funny story and a "jubilant" score. It runs until Sept. 9.

For more information, go to www.highlandslittletheatre.org or call 382-2525.