Local continues love of theater with role in TCT's 'Mockingbird'
BY CHARLOTTE SMITH Editor

Harper Lee didn't envision Miss Maudie Atkinson as the narrator of her much-loved book, "To Kill a Mockingbird," but the kind and wise neighbor of Atticus, Jem and Scout Finch assumes that role in the Tyler Civic Theatre Center's production of the classic novel.

Stepping out of the shadows with her is Frances Whiteside, making a return to the stage after years in a more behind-thescenes role for the local community theater.

"It's a wonderful adaptation, and the Miss Maudie role is really lovely," said Whiteside, a native of Jacksonville who now lives on the South Tyler edge of Whitehouse. "I get to step out and talk to the audience and tell them what's going on."

Mockingbird is one of the few productions she has acted in since making her debut with TCTC in 2001's "Over the River and Through the Woods."

"There are just not that many roles for somebody my age," explains Whiteside, 69, who serves on the TCTC board and typically works backstage in a variety of roles, including producing.

Though her responsibilities change from play to play, Whiteside's involvement and appreciation of community theater has been a lifelong constant.

Frances Whiteside as Miss Maudie Atkinson in a scene with Ellis Gentry as Jem Finch and Sunni Gatewood, playing Scout Finch. Both are from Tyler. Unlike Harper Lee's novel, in which Scout is the narrator, the Tyler Civic Theatre's production of Mockingbird features narration by Miss Maudie. Whiteside said the stage adaptation by Christopher Sergel lessens the burden on a young actor having to step in and out of character to narrate.

"It's always been very important to me, and I've looked for local theater wherever we've lived," she said.

For Whiteside, that brought new meaning to Shakespeare's "all the world's a stage," as 20 years as a military spouse gave her the opportunity to experience local theater around the globe.

"I've been the new person many times; we moved so often," she said.

If the Whitesides were living in an English speaking country, she would seek out a local community theater; if not, she would join an on-base group if possible.

Often, she and her husband and three children were involved as a family, which is something Whiteside appreciates about her current company.

"We have entire families involved on stage and back stage," she said. "It's really a place where families can feel comfortable going there, and it's for all ages."

Whiteside's own interest in acting started at a young age when she got involved with Children's Theater at Lon Morris College. Participation continued through high school, college and beyond, though her real-life roles of wife, mother and (after her divorce) full-time corporate paralegal limited her free time.

After several years in California, Whiteside came back to Jacksonville in 1998 to care for a parent and eventually found herself driving back and forth to Tyler to participate in local theater again. In 2004, she moved to her present home and is enjoying the freedom retirement brings to be more involved with her longtime passion.

She has also become active in the Young Audiences of Northeast Texas and the Tyler Civic Theatre's young people's programs, furthering her belief that art should educate as it entertains.

Though she may not get the chance to play her dream roles of Mame or Chicago's Mama Morton in Tyler, Whiteside has otherwise found the perfect place to express her artistic creativity and make a valuable contribution to her community.