08/27/2026
“Good, better, best… never let it rest.. till your good is your better and your better is your best!”
Hello Arena Family,
Today, one of the liveliest Souls the Arena playhouse has ever known, has gone home. Sandra Meekins has joined the Arena Players ancestors. She will be deeply missed. 🙏🏾❤️🎭
In Sandra’s words:
This is all because of Robert Russell.�My heritage with Arena Playhouse spans nearly 30 years. Shows such as Vanities, Old Settler, For Colored Girls, Long Time Since Yesterday, and let us not forget Moms Mabley helped shape and mold my creativity and imagination as an actress and teacher.
�Standing behind the curtains waiting for my entrance, there was nervousness and fear, but once the lights went up and the curtains opened, I was charged up to embrace the moments and perform taking my bows amid the many applauses . However, I soon discovered that God had also given me the gift of stage management and teaching the youth at Youththeater.
Teaching youth character development excites me to no end. It is here that I can now mold our future performers to light up the stage with their talent in acting as well as teach the tech crew behind the scenes stagecraft.
Being the “House Mother" in the Green Room afforded me the opportunity to make sure the adult performers are groomed and cued up to make their grand entrance on stage. This has been a joy.�
Through it all, I was blessed to perform, teach, and manage backstage at the awesome Arena Playhouse while raising two daughters and, later, helping seven grandchildren understand and appreciate the world of theater. Four of my great-grandchildren attend the Arena Players Youth Theatre, and they absolutely lovie it. As the saying goes, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."�
As I wrap this up, I honor my mother, Malinda; my father, Ulysses; my sister, Glenda; my brother, Junior; and all of my family and friends who have always encouraged me to do my best both on and off the stage.
�However, the greatest honor goes to God for creating me and allowing me to perform, teach, and manage backstage at the awesome Arena Playhouse.�
Toodles!
