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NILES -- David Brown made his stage debut at age 4 in "The Seven Year Itch," the very first production Trumbull New Theatre staged at its theater in Niles in 1957.
He only had one line but, "I discovered I liked applause," Brown said. He ended up leading the audience in its applause, which didn't go over well with director and TNT cofounder Frances Pendleton.
"I got a director's note from Frances Pendleton via my mother that I better not do that again," he said.
Brown, who now lives in Dayton, was among those who filled the room Saturday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the theater at 5883 Youngstown-Warren Road. Performers and patrons gathered for a musical revue featuring songs from some of the many musicals staged there over the years.
Brown's parents, Bach and Carolyn Brown, were active performers at TNT, appearing in a combined 50 productions, and he spent many Saturday's there helping build sets in addition to appearing in more shows and helping park cars as a teenager.
"It was a great social outlet for them," he said.
Brett Bunker, current president of the TNT board, started the evening talking about its history and the construction of the theater, designed by architect Thomas Schroth and built primarily with volunteer labor by TNT members.
"We've laughed, we've cried, and some of us, I'm sure, have nearly died," he said.
Bunker and Emily Webster Love, who has been involved at TNT since 1964, then kicked off the evening with "Welcome to the Theater."
Greg Mocker, who returned from New York, and 2013 Miss Ohio Heather Wells served as emcees for the evening and both said they made their TNT debuts as young children.
Many TNT veterans traded stories at a reception in the lobby before the performance.
Micky Burnsworth of Warren, who currently serves on the TNT board, said her experience at the community theater has been invaluable. She made her first appearance in "The Elephant Man" as part of the 1983-84 season at the urging of Patricia Latham, her coworker at the theater, who was directing the drama.
"I had so much bravado at work," Burnsworth said. "Here I slumped into a seat."
She was cast in two small roles and has remained involved.
"There's a sense of community with each show," Burnsworth said. "It's a place where an introverted person can come out of their shell. You can learn skills that you can use on the job, out in the real world."
Lois Schneider of Brookfield, who has appeared in many productions at TNT and other community theaters, said she learned a valuable lesson in her TNT debut, "The Sound of Music" in 1999. A cast member was taking a smoking break and missed his cue, leaving Schneider and the other actors hanging.
"It was horrifying," she said. "It was only a few seconds to the audience but it felt like a lifetime to me. I learned you better know your lines and everyone else's in case something goes wrong."
Her husband, David Schneider, said he always loved the intimacy of the TNT theater, which seats less than 200 people.
"It's almost cabaret-ish," Lois Schneider added.
And Lisa Bennett, who is directing "Belles" to open the TNT 2017-18 season next month, said, "You can connect with an audience easily here."
agray@tribtoday.com