Sisters come home to Ogden with Good Company Theater
Camille and Alicia Washington show off “A Good Company Theater” on 25th Street in Ogden. The two sisters founded and run the theater. Rachel Trotter
Alicia and Camille Washington talk about how “A Good Company Theater” came to be at their theater on 25th Street in Ogden. Rachel Trotter
OGDEN — Camille and Alicia Washington never planned to start a theater company in Ogden when they were little, but the two always loved the city and found it calling them to do something great. So they did.
With the help of an Ogden City development grant, the two started A Good Company Theater in the heart of Ogden — Historic 25th Street. The theater is small and by their words, “informal,” but that’s just how they want it.
Both girls graduated from Northridge High School in Layton and then went on to college — Camille at the University of Utah, Alicia at Weber State University. Camille graduated with a degree in art history and then received a master’s degree from the San Francisco Art Institute in Exhibit Museum Studies. Alicia received her bachelor’s degree in musical theater.
The two went their separate ways for a few years, but one day Alicia mentioned the idea of starting a theater. Alicia said it was something that had been on her mind. “If I say I’m going to do something I get an army and make it happen,” Alicia said with a laugh. Camille is the same way. “If I have an idea it’s hard to let it go,” Camille said.
Camille moved back to Utah from the East and the two started getting serious about the idea. At first the two thought they would start a mobile-type theater company that could perform in any space, but then things started falling into place to have an address for the company.
Alicia had looked at the spot on the 200 block of 25th Street first. “I ran up the stairs and peeked my head in and thought it wasn’t for us,” Alicia said. Then after looking at many other places, she decided to give it a second look. She saw the whole space and knew it would work. The women laugh when they talk about how it looked at first, but with Camille’s artistic eye, she could catch a vision and they did it.
They started working with the city to obtain a developmental grant three years ago. They have received additional grants from the city each year as their business has grown. “It’s really something to find a city that wants to support local business and local art and theater groups like this,” Alicia said.
The two love being a part of the changing tide in Ogden. “As little girls we loved coming to Ogden — to Christmas Village or the Hof festival. It was a special place to us,” Alicia said. “It lost that magic for a while but now it’s back.”
The two also credit support they have received from locals to create a different kind of theater. “We are informal, but not casual. We take what we do very seriously,” Camille said.
But the key to their theater is that it is tangible and close-knit. Because of the smallness (about 40 seats) for some shows, audiences can see the theater come to life. “We try to offer a range for our audiences as well. We like to offer gritty — two-person shows, but also light comedic shows,” Camille said.
Their mother, Colleen Washington, helps out as well to run the theater and put on the shows.
Their audiences have grown too. “It is just so flattering and such an honor to come and see when we have sold 20 seats and then see we have sold 30 seats,” Camille said.
As for the future? The sisters take things one day at a time — they now have a great sound system and are changing sets for a new show starting the first week of November. “Of course we would like this to be self-sustaining and our only job,” Camille said. “I like to say my day starts at 5 p.m.,” Alicia said, noting that the two still work day jobs. “My love and my passion starts here,” Alicia said.
“We like to call ourselves the ‘Washington Women’ and we are proud to be here,” Alicia said.