Community Theatre Productions

Some of you astute readers may have noted that I have been off the normal schedule of posts this week. So kind of you not to point that out. LOL

So today I thought I would share with you the reason my "best laid plans" have gone awry. Every year for the past four years, I have been involved in mounting the production of "Scrooge" at the Winnsboro Center for the Arts. I adapted the script from an old radio show from the 1930s that starred Orson Welles and  have directed the show for three years. Last year I was in the production as the Narrator, and John Milligan, Scrooge, took the reins as director. BTW, what an incredible actor he is. He is pictured here with Maddy Nittmo, a high school student, who is also very talented. The dark ghost in the next picture is Ashland Tipton, who is also in high school. She is a dancer and it is wonderful to see her glide across the stage "like a mist coming out of the darkness."

Scrooge and The Ghost of Christmas Past at Rehearsal

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come - The Scariest Ghost of Them All

In addition to six weeks of rehearsals, there are so many little details that have to be taken care of to get a show to opening night, and I envy professional companies that have production  and tech staff. We have our troupe of actors, a few people at the Art Center who can help, and me, so needless to say I have been very busy this month.

Every year as I get into the last two weeks of pressure to get the set finished, the props, the playbill, advertising, costumes, posters, and pictures, I wonder why I do this year after year. Then I get my answer on opening night when the magic happens. Anyone who has been involved in performing, professionally or as an amateur, knows what it feels like when the curtain goes up and the show begins. We are transported into another world for a little while and there is nothing quite like being on stage.

We open tomorrow, Friday, so most of the pressure is over. Still I won't be posting my usual Friday's Odds and Ends. There are always some last minute details, like maybe working on my lines. LOL

I want to publicly thank my cast and crew for all their hard work and dedication. It has been a real pleasure to work with everyone.
 

Ebeneezer Scrooge, We have come for You

There is also magic when a professional photographer gets an amazing shot. I love this picture taken by a local photographer, Jim Dyson, of Mr. Jim's Studios.

Record Snowfall in Texas

The winter storm that blanketed much of North and East Texas in snow overnight Thursday surprised even forecasters. After watching the latest weather report Thursday at about 10, I went to bed expecting to wake up to three or four inches of snow.

Then in the middle of the night I heard the ominous sound of limbs breaking. This after I spent a good hour knocking as much snow as I could off branches that were getting weighed down Thursday evening.

We got a record eight to eleven inches of snow, and while it is beautiful to look at -- and made for some lovely pictures -- it created havoc on a lot of levels. Many people were, and still are without power, and roads were slippery.

This morning I went out to assess the damage and found numerous large branches down. Some too big for me to even try to move. Two trees came down, too. One on my front fence and one on my back fence.

My very nice neighbor who used to help me move trees that fell -- he had a huge tractor with a front loader and could pick those trees up like they were nothing -- has moved away. So I guess I will have to find someone who is handy with a chainsaw and wants to earn a little extra money.

More Pictures

Took some shots of the sunrise one day this week. Thought it was interesting that the pictures were all taken about the same time, yet the colors vary significantly.

I didn't change the settings on my camera, so I don't know why the variance happened. But I thought the pictures were pretty.

Getting the Shot

I remember when I used to do PR work and would go out on a photo shoot with a photographer to get pictures for a brochure or annual report, and I was always amazed at how many shots he would take. I was used to the way most of us take family pictures -- one shot each.

The photographer I worked with was very talented, and very patient. I was always mindful of the clock ticking and the fees, and he patiently explained that there is a difference between taking a picture and taking a photograph. If you want a good photograph you can't rush the process and you may shoot a whole roll of film before you get that one great shot.

I was reminded of that the other morning when I discovered some beautiful butterflies having breakfast from the flowers in my old plow. I must have taken 20 shots, before I got this pretty yellow swallowtail.

I won't post all the pictures, but I'll post a few to show the progression from beginning to end.

More Pretty Pictures

Yesterday morning I was out early just as the sun was coming up. Needed to feed animals and do some trimming around the yard, but couldn't resist stopping for some pictures first.

I couldn't quite capture the sunrise in all it's glory. It's amazing how quickly a scene will change in the few minute it took me to walk back to the house and get my camera. But I did manage to catch some of the morning fog and a bit of the orange in the sky.

Then I noticed that dew was clinging to the ends of the pine needles. When I saw it, I couldn't help but think of the descriptions I've read in books of early mornings with dew glistening like jewels. Next time I read a description like that, this is the image that will come to mind.

And of course, while I had my camera out, I had to take a picture of some of the animals. Poppy couldn't understand why I had stopped throwing her ball, but was patiently waiting for me to resume her favorite pastime.

Orca was waiting in the grass for the gopher. He had a long wait.

Pretty Flowers

I've been having fun with my camera again. The first flowers pictured here are Mexican Petunias. I have a bunch of them in my back flower bed. I had no idea that they multiplied like bunnies.

The other flower grows wild on vines that stay pretty close to the ground. I have no idea what they are called, but they sure are pretty. Looks almost tropical. They are native to East Texas, so if anyone out there knows the name, do let me know.

A Photographer

I keep saying I'm not a professional photographer. And I must admit I am a long way from being a good professional photographer. But since I take the majority of the pictures for WinnsboroToday.com I guess I am a professional.

Plus, I can hardly pass up an opportunity to take a picture of our animals or some flowers. If I stop what I am doing so I can get this kind of shot, I guess that must mean I am a photograper. :-)