‘The Chamber’ Eyes Friendship

Mike (Justin Walker) reaches for an object on the table during "The Chamber" by Step1 Theatre.

Step 1 production to benefit Seven Hills Homeless Shelter

By Richard Davis

TFW Staff Writer

The Step 1 Theatre will perform “The Chamber” at 8 p.m. Jan. 27-28 and at 2 and 9 p.m. Jan. 29 at B-Unlimited Theatre, 612 W. Center St. in Fayetteville. Admission is $10 with a portion of the proceeds going to the Seven Hills Homeless Shelter.
“The Chamber” was written by William Grayson who serves as a co-artistic director along with Gabe Templin.
“He and I just graduated from the University of Arkansas in the master of fine arts program,” Templin said. “We knew we were going to be around for a while so we decided to open up some theatre that’s more available for 20-somethings.”
Templin said one of Step 1’s goals is to bring in people who may not be as familiar with theater — particularly college age and 30-something people — with more guerilla type and edgy material.
In addition, Templin said he and Grayson created Step 1 to benefit the Northwest Arkansas community.

Photo: Courtesy Sal (Chuck Mere, left) and Mike (Justin Walker) experience an intense moment in their longtime friendship during "The Chamber" by Step1 Theatre.

“After our first show (in October), we were able to donate $300 to Seven Hills Homeless Shelter,” Templin said. Step 1’s model is to pick one charity each season to donate proceeds toward.
“The Chamber” features only two actors: Justin Walker as Mike and Chuck Mere as Sal. The play is a single scene, set in real time and lasts about an hour. The two men, friends since childhood, have basically become like family, Templin said. He said the play deals with trust, loyalty and friendship and the lengths you’ll go to to protect it.
“There’s a big event that causes some tension between the two,” Templin said. “It’s a fun hour of intense friendship.”
Templin said Step 1 is always taking donations to fund their work, and donations can be made on their website: www.step1theatre.org.
He said you can also view information about Seven Hills on Step 1’s website, including ways you can help and get involved with the homeless shelter.