Local artist creates elaborate sets for NHS plays

For the past three years, Marvin Campbell has donated his time and talent to the productions of the Newton High School Drama department. With little to no money, Campbell creates elaborate sets with just cardboard, wood and paint.

“It’s all for the students, that’s the bottom line,” Campbell said. “It turned out that with the economic conditions that exist, there is big demand on cutting budgets. There has been on the street talk, unofficial talk, that the drama department was going to take a drastic cut because of lack of funds. My daughter talked to me about it and I said that I would volunteer to build the sets and to work with the students where possible in construction of sets.”

His daughter is director Melinda Worthington, who praised the work that her father does as well as how he works with the students.

“The students that take part in the production at all levels, they are very impressive students. Every time I am around them I am overly impressed with what they are able to accomplish and the degree they can accomplish. It really renews my faith on the younger generation,” Campbell said.

Campbell’s career in the arts started long before he picked up a paint brush in Newton. While stationed in Germany, Campbell built what would be his first “set” creation for holiday entertainment.

“My career in the arts was launched 58 years ago in Starubing, Germany. The post commander had his staff meeting and said to all his officers ‘I want to do something special for the troops, something special for Christmas.’ Not an idea came from the room,” Campbell said. “I had the good fortune of being the Coronals orderly that day so I was pouring his coffee and I said sir I have an idea. What would you think if we would take an M48 Tank and I would build an eight foot Santa Clause and put on the turret waving and then I would line up eight Jeeps and have them being driven by reindeer wearing the six armored cap scarf. He said ‘Have you ever done anything like this before?’ (I said) no sir. He asked what makes you think you can do it and I said I can do it.”

After returning home, Campbell worked at the downtown JC Penney store for 10 years, the last five as the director of displays and advertising. When the time came to settle down and start a family, he and his wife traveled to find the perfect location.

“When my wife and I were thinking about raising a family, where did we want to locate. We drove about a 30 mile radius and then we came to Newton. Newton at that time was a very interesting city. There was a great amount of blue collar and white collar employees which offered a lot of contrast in activities. We said we are moving to Newton,” Campbell said.

Campbell took a job at the Vernon Company working as a graphic designer and his children graduated from Newton High School. After taking over as play director, Worthington recruited her artist father, with his first production being Fiddler on the Roof.

“If you’re going to go, go big I guess,” Campbell said of building the intricate set.

When the time comes around each year, you can find Campbell dumpster diving for cardboard and wood to build whatever the set might need. Paint used is donated by Diamond Vogel. As for how long the 76 year old will keep volunteering his time, Campbell does not see an end in sight.

“My commitment will be to just to continue doing the sets as long as I have physical and mental ability to do it,” he said.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com.