Published: August 21, 2009 10:53 am      

Will Rabert will present "Tom Sawyer" at CACE meeting

"Tom Sawyer is my name. Tom to all of you. Don't none of you go calling me by my last name. When I hear 'Tom-Tom Sawyer,' I know it's Aunt Polly. And ain't none of you look like my Aunt Polly." And with that introduction, Tom Sawyer will "come alive" at 10 a.m. for the audience at the Wednesday, Sept. 2, meeting of Cumberland Artisans for Creative Expression (CACE).

The person of Tom Sawyer is one of 10 secular characters and more than 30 biblical characters that are in Willard Rabert's repertoire, with a list that continues to expand. As friends request a new presentation, Rabert searches the Internet for information, and perhaps a photograph, because as Rabert affirms, "I want to be as authentic as possible." He then discusses the costume needs with his wife, Martha, who then sets about finding just the right material or item from a thrift shop. Martha describes the costumes as "relatively simple and sometimes they are interspersed with objects from another character."

Rabert began doing person-presentations more than 30 years ago after he purchased a small book of six monologues to use during the Lenten season at the United Church of Christ in Willliamsport, PA, where he was the pastor. Since then Rabert has performed over 300 times, with audiences from two persons to more than 500 students. Performances have been in schools, libraries, civic and social organizations, and senior citizen facilities. Now retired, the Raberts live at Uplands Retirement Village in Pleasant Hill but continue to travel extensively.

Rabert said that he has no difficulty in memorizing the parts because he considers them his creation... his children... and "Who would not remember information about your child?" The challenge is that of condensing an entire novel into a 20-30 minute presentation. Before a program, Rabert says, "I become the person. I will not go on until I become that person. And once I become that person, it is not a memorized piece. I am simply remembering what is important to me (that character)." When the character is from the Bible, Rabert says, "I pray to God, and I am not ready to go on until I feel the Spirit."

Regarding fees, Rabert reports, "I do not charge for any presentation. It is a gift from God and I cannot charge for a gift from God." If travel is involved, reimbursement for mileage is accepted.

When asked about the reason that Rabert continues to agree to such a demanding schedule, he quickly responded, "I do it to interest the kids in reading." To his delight, teachers have reported that children have checked out the books about that character for months after his presentations. "And when I see them later, they even remember my mentioning Long John Silver's parrot on his shoulder and the words 'pieces of eight' from Treasure Island." While most of the props are simple, he did have a small sheep one time and was amazed that none of the children in that audience had ever been close to a sheep before.

Rabert's presentation is one of a series of educational features connected with CACE, which is a 501(c)(3) organization with the purpose to identify, support and encourage the varied artistic and creative individuals and groups encompassing visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts of Cumberland County.

The public is invited to attend the CACE general meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Crossville City Hall, 99 Municipal Avenue, Crossville. Will Rabert's presentation will begin at 10 a.m., with a question and answer session to follow. A CACE business meeting will begin about 10:45 a.m. For CACE information, check the Web site, www.cumberlandart.com, or contact President Sharron Eckert, 277-5425.