We are in Northeast Louisiana in the quaint little community of Winnsboro. The theatre here was originally a movie house and has been restored and turned into a live theatre venue. Gene Thompson, the director, told us yesterday that the show is sold out and that we should expect a very lively crowd.
We arrived early at the theatre. It’s a 7pm show so that’s means an 11am load in. Several of the local guys where there to meet us and help load in. The stage is very small but there is a larger room right off stage right where Cindy and David stored illusions and cases – to capacity! Once again, they worked a few miracles and pulled together a well-rounded production that features several illusions and audience participation effects, climaxing with the Milk Can Escape. Keith worked diligently to figure out the Strand lighting board and learn how to write scenes (not cues) on this type of board. Kylie and I worked on getting the intelligent lighting in the air and focusing the conventional lighting that was already hung, reassigning our channel numbers to their instruments.
Today was the perfect example of what the “arts†should be about – bringing to a community an experience that they might not have the opportunity to share. And, as an artist, it was a special time for us to be a place where the audience and the performers shared a magical moment.
We packed down and loaded out as quickly as we could so we could make another stop at Chic-A-D’s. We called ahead and placed our order with Daryl, the owner, and rushed over to enjoy the food. Daryl also does a cooking show every Wednesday morning from Monroe, LA and has a cook book coming out soon. He brought over some delicious banana pudding with a touch of something special for us to try. It’s what he’s going to be featuring on his television show in the morning – and it was excellent! This is us and Daryl, the amazing chef!
Back to the hotel – trying to get some rest…on a very full stomache!