Land of Spirit

These words, Land of Spirit heating up, were across the top of the Franklin County Citizen this week.  My first thoughts - how did they know things were heating up?  But, of course, they were referring to the large number of press releases we had submitted for publication last week - and I was thinking of the choreography that had just begun!

Kevin Iega Jeff arrived and wasted no time in getting everyone into the “swing” of things.  He began putting movement to the already wonderful “Southern Story Tellin’ and Song” - creating a combination that cannot be described- its one that you must come see - but, it did warm up the theatre.    

The young and the young at heart have spent hours this week getting into “rhythm” with the songs and stories of The Last Hard Times.  One can tell from the short warm up, before rehearsals begin, that Iega brings a new excitement to the play.  Actors are stepping faster, lighter and their bodies are swaying to the music - hands clapping - feet stomping as the songs become faster. 

And, then came the time to put movement to Land of Spirit’s theme song.  Iega asked for someone who knew sign language - two volunteers stepped forward.  Finally, Victoria Young demonstrated signs for The Land of Spirit - the cast had some good laughs over signs for the title and other words in the song - final decision was to let Iega make his own signs and the actors would follow.   

Now, I’ve stated in earlier blogs how I cry at various parts in the play - well, I do it again when the cast sings Land of Spirit with Iega’s choreographing.  First, it’s a song with beautiful words, extrodinary music, and now extrodinary movement… and all of that brings out sentimental feelings associated with a place I call home.  I think I will not be the only person in the theater crying - when you hear it - there will be more - just hope we don’t cry so loud we mess up the moment for others.

It’s early in the morning on Saturday, May 31 - just Four days (Wednesday) until we have a VIP Pre- view of The Last Hard Times - and, I can’t sleep for thinking of all the things that still must be completed before opening night!  But, I have faith in LOS project leaders - we’ll be ready for YOU!  Buy your ticket soon!

 See you at the theatre, Judy

You can tell it’s getting close to show time.  Jules Corrier, Playwright, returned to Franklin County on Friday evening from her home in Virginia.  She had been home with her children for a few days.  You should see her eyes light up as she fills us in on her children’s accomplishments - one proud Mom!

Kevin Iega Jeff, Choreographer from Chicago, is scheduled to arrive at Atlanta airport at mid-day on Sunday.  Joe Varga, Set Designer, will be coming in later Sundary afternoon in Greenville, SC. and Gayle Grimsley, Performance Coach, from Colquitt, Georgia is arriving by car late Sunday.    Brackley Frayer, Lighting Designer, comes from Las Vegas on Tuesday!   This will be all the CPI group - sort of feel sorry for all the local actors - just knowing what a tough schedule is lined up for them until opening night!

Hooray, the program went to press this weekend!  Barbara Busby, of Hometown Neighbors Magazine, is serving as a member of the Stage Management Team, her daughter is a cast members, and Barbara graciously agreed to serve as Editor of The Land of Spirit Gazett.   As soon as Barbara put her own magazine’s June issue to bed she began working on the Gazett.

The Gazett contains 24 pages and shares with readers:  Information from Jules Corriere on writing of The Last Hard Times; LOS Story Gathering; History of LOS; Transformation of an Armory to a Theatre;  Charter Supporters;  Cast Bios; and other interesting information.  You will, also, get a chance to see advertisements for local businesses who have supported LOS through advertising.  The “newspaper programs” are free to those attending Land of Spirit.

I almost forgot, Richard began helping Brackley out with his job this week.  Theatre lights arrived from New Jersey so Richard used mornings when he didn’t have rehearsals to hang lights in the new theatre.   Another exciting time for those involved with the production - it really is beginnig to resemble (and become) a REAL theatre!  Can’t wait for you to come see it.

See you at the theatre, Judy 

It’s Saturday, May 24, and my husband Kenneth and I made a Moonshine run this afternoon.  Moonshine Jelly that is!  We drove up into the North Georgia Mountains and picked up 18 cases for Land of Spirit Souvenirs!  We had our own label printed, Land of Spirit Moonshine Jelly, at Hillside Orchard Farms in Tiger, Georgia.  This is a fantastic place to visit.

You can, also, visit Hillside Orchard via their web site at www.hillsideorchard.com

 They have all type products - Georgia Grown Georgia Made!  Throughout the store are signs on products indicating some year, i.e. 2006 - 2007 - 2005 - of an award winning food product - Best Tasting Hot Sauce in such and such food competition - or, salad dressings, or salsas, jellies, ciders, jams, and on and on with  products made right up the road in the family owned plant - the retail store has big rockers on the front porch where you can rest, relax and enjoy fresly made “fried apple or peach pies,” or fresh homemade fruit bread.   

Of course, we left with more than Moonshine Jelly.  Just couldn’t resist bringing my sister a quart of pickled peaches - she’s loved them for as long as I can remember - even as a child!  And, I had to bring home Vidalia Onion Summer Tomato Salad Dressing -  the gentleman in the store said to pour it over chicken, marinate for 2 hours, and bake about 45 minutes…oh yes, he said to add a vadalia onion and bake at the same time if you like -  mouth watering delicious!  And, for me I brought home Southern Peach Pecan Preserves. .. now if I only had someone to make homemade biscuits like Mama use to make! 

Come see Land of Spirit’s The Last Hard Time and take home lots of Moonshine Jelly.  I can always make another Moonshine run to Tiger! 

See you at the theatre, Judy 

Exactly, two weeks from tonight is opening night for Land of Spirit’s The Last Hard Times!  Whew, gives me butterflies and I am not even an actor.  Tonight’s rehearsal was full cast for Act II.   First time I had actually seen all the scenes come together for the show’s ending.  It was spectacular even in practice.  A little confusing with so many people,  but it was soon ironed out and everyone knew their place.

Not being a theatre person, the making of this play has been a learning experience for me.  With so many cast members (about 80 now) and another 75 for support jobs, it creates a need for lots of organizational skills which do not appear to be high on the list of those in the art field.  The happy, go luck, creative attitude gets them through scenes and circumstances which drive someone with my personality up the wall!   I want to know where everything goes and how it’s going to get there - they say, let’s just get there and then decide on why we’re going.  Or, it appears that way!  But, on the other hand, guess I am driving them crazy, too - with my questions and hard looks.

Tickets sales are really picking up!  Two more church groups called for reservations today and they all want information on where to eat while in Franklin County.  We have some excellent restaurants and some have agreed to stay open longer hours to accommodate visitors to our community.  211, the Mennonite restaurant in Lavonia has agreeded to stay open for three Saturday’s out of the four show weekends.  On June 21 the Mennonites have a wedding to attend; but, if you plan to come on one of the other weekends, it’s a terrific place for desserts!  You should see the dessert tray: blueberry pie; coconut creme pie; chocolate and German chocolate; and Caramel Cream Pecan.  Then there are six layer cakes - yes, that’s six layers.  Fresh Strawberry Cream is my favorite cake - and it’s a toss up between coconut creme and German chocolate for my favorite pie.    All homemade!  And, the breads they serve are homemade, as well! 

When it comes to chicken fingers, Zaxby’s in Lavonia can’t be beat; Fresh vegetables and good Southern cooking come no better than at the Roystonian in Royston, Ga.  - that’s where all the locals eat.  There is a locally owned Pizza Shack in Lavonia, not far from the theatre, that makes delicious pizzas and hot subs.  I could go on and on about the food, but for a small rural community we have some pretty good cooking and a great selection!   In Franklin County you can find American/Southern food; Mexican restaurants; Chinese; Bar-B -Que and Fish Houses;  Italian and Greek; and, many other fast food and unique places to eat - even Findley’s Hot Dog Stand!  So come hungry - you may even want to get an RC and Moonpie at the theatre - and, we’ll have peanuts you can pour in your soda bottle and enjoy both at the same time!

Call for your ticket reservations, decide on where you want to eat before and after the show and have yourself a wonderful day or evening of fine entertainment.  And, the best thing - you can bring the entire family - it’s good clean fun for everyone! 

Show dates:  June 5,6,7     12,13,14.     19,20,21     and  26,27,28

Evening shows begin at 7:30 and Saturday matinees at 2:30!  Theatre opens one hour before the show begins (and concessions open at that time, too).  General Admission is $15.00 but don’t forget to ask if there are any special discounts! 

 See you at the theatre, Judy

The Red Hat Weekend at Land of Spirit is June 12 - 13- 14, 2008.  However, the county wide Scavenger Hunt has been canceled due to low interest.   Please get your Red Hat Chapter together and come on over, down or up to see the show during this weekend and enjoy The Last Hard Times, the first Land of Spirit production! 

It promises to be an outstanding performance, with a cast of approximately 65 and it has 5 original songs, wirtten by local composer Heather MuCluskey.   Tickets are still available for this weekend, so call 706-356-1926 or 706-356-8202 to reserve your seats now!  Be sure and ask for the group discount!

 See you at the theatre, Judy

Tonight was another full cast music rehearsal and we had choir members from New Light Baptist join the LOS Team for the first time.  Dr. Deborah Stark, LOS Music Director, was absent due to her own student’s voice recital that had been planned weeks ago for tonight.  Heather McCluskey, Composer, was in charge.  Again, such beautiful music and voices. . . another night for chills - feeling that spirit!

And, in another part of the theater Richard Geer, Artistic Director, was holding rehearsals for the Fancy Dresser scene.  The people in this scene are so diverse - from little girls of 4 or 5 to senior ladies. . . One beautiful African- American lady actually plays herself in this scene. 

Earlier today I carried a Land of Spirit quilt to be framed.  It was made by Ola Coombs of Ola’s Quilt Shop in Lavonia and some of her friends.  This quilt will hang in the entrance to the theatre.  While it was laid out on the table in the frame shop several ladies came by to “look and ask questions.”  It really is an attention getter - can’t wait for all of you reading this blog to come see the show and Ms. Ola’s Land of Spirit quilt.  Ms. Ola lives in South Carolina, but that didn’t keep her from adding Georgia’s State Flower, the Cherokee Rose, in a scrolling quilted pattern for the background.  Then colored fabrics creating mountains, sunshine, land and lakes are set in a scene in the shape of Franklin County - and in the center of the scene, depicting the family, are four black silohuettes - man, woman and two children.  Breathtaking. . . the lady at the frame shop asked what was the last day I could come pick it up before the show opening.  I answered, ”June 2 is Drop Dead Day - either you will drop dead or I will - if that quilt is not ready - Ms. Ola will see to it that Quilt gets hung for the special pre-view night for Charter Supporters and Special Guests on June 4!  

Oh yes, while I was in the store I received a call from Genny Cole - telling me we had a call from Arkansas wanting tickets for Opening Night on June 5.  They are clients of CPI and are coming to see Land of Spirit!  And, another Church Group had called for  Saturday Matinee reservations.  I believe this made about 8 or more church groups who have already called for tickets - Gainesville, Monroe, Martin, Hartwell, Royston, are off the top of my head.  I know there are more from the sourthern part of the state but it’s late and my memory went to sleep around noon today.  Over 2500 letters were  mailed to churches in a 50 mile radius of Franklin County and this next week over 35,000 post cards will go out to residents in Stephens, Franklin and Hart Counties.   I don’t usually enjoy hearing a phone ring, but those calls coming in for tickets are “music” to our ears and we can “feel the spirit”. . . 

Oh yes, I picked up another Quilt for the theater earlier this week.  Joyce & Clay Loehr made a beautiful quilted banner - with 8 squares representing 8 scenes of The Last Hard Times, the first LOS Production.  Clay assisted Joyce in locating clip art on the computer - for use in designing the scenes.  Then, Joyce used her super-duper computerized machine to make the quilt squares and to insert the name of the show on the banner.  It is exquisite!  This banner will hang among framed photos of people whose stories are in the play - or, those people who told a story of a deceased person.  We’re excited about this display and can hardly wait to hang the items in the theater!

Again, I will remind all who are reading this blog to be sure and come early to the theater and take a look around at the beautiful displays!  Good Night, Judy 

This web site was first established as a “temporary” site for Land of Spirit.  Development of the new one kept getting pushed to the back burner, so it didn’t contain “show information” as it should have.   Our apologies to all who have been searching for show dates, ticket costs, etc.  The new site is now under construction but we’ve added an Information Section at the top of this one and listed the info in the blog section:

Show Dates:  June 5-6-7     12-13-14     19-20-21     26-27-28

Thursday, Friday and Saturday Evening Performances at 7:30 - Saturday Matinees at 2:30.  Theatre opens one hour before show begins.

 General Admission is $15.00 per person, but be sure and ask for special group, senior, or if their are other special discounts!

Land of Spirit Theatre is located on Highway 17, in Lavonia, Georgia - one mile SOUTH of Interstate 85 at EXIT 173!  We’re the first city inside Georgia - from the South Carolina line.  You’ll know you are getting close if you’re driving from South Carolina and pass over Beautiful Lake Hartwell.    

CALL 706-356-1926 or 706-356-8202 for ticket reservations.  We take Master Card or VISA.  Tickets can be picked up at WILL CALL desk at the theatre.  OR, if you are in Lavonia drop by the local Welcome Center in the Old Depot, located downtown.  Genny & Vivian will be happy to assist with your needs. 

      

Rehearsals are in full swing for The Last Hard Times, Land of Spirit’s premier production!  This is my first experience with a folk life production so all of it is new and exciting.  Since I am not in the play as an actor, I don’t really have to attend all the rehearsals, but it’s hard to stay away.  Actors began by working in small groups, sitting in a circle.  They would read their lines and Richard would talk with them about “where their voices were coming from.”  He really works on projection. 

Next, they graduated to the stage area.  I say area, because it’s unlike any stage I have ever seen.  There are zigs and zags going up to the main stage and in the middle of the floor - right in the middle of the patrons - there are more zigs and zags. . . actors are from one end of the building to another.  The scenes are becoming dynamic - no longer just words but movement and feeling.   And, now we have props. 

Kathy Faust and Vivian Young can find the most amazing things.  Richard can mention how nice it would be to have a two wheel push cart like they used long ago, and two days later one appears in the theatre.  Kathy had seen it in someone’s yard, drove in and ask to borrow it, and the folks said yes.  That’s another joy of living in a small rural community - people trust other people - even with their valuable antiques.   

And, details of putting on such a production are mounting.  I remember when we went to Sautee Nacoochee last year to see Headwaters folk life play, Lisa Mount told us that patrons care about three important things:  where they park their car, where they park themsleves and where they poop!  Genny and I are taking her advice and have been working to make sure our patrons are satisfied.

Genny has visited other businesses in the vicinity of the Land of Spirit Theatre and arranged for patrons to use their parking spaces.  We’ve set up a cast & crew parking area away from the theatre and a golf cart will be available for those who cannot walk to the theatre.  Spaces adjacent to the facility will be for handicapped only.   A Lavonia Policeman will assist patrons with crossing Highway 17 and Police Explorers will help them park cars.  Other volunteers will be there to assist and signs are being made to identify LOS Parking lots.  Buses or vans can drop off patrons at the door and then park in designated bus areas.  When you come to the show look for volunteers in “lime green vests” - they will be there to assist you with parking!

 The theatre is located next door to the American Legion building and we do have a few conflicting dates with their events, but everyone is working together to make it easy for all concerned.  Even the First Saturday night in the month Tractor Pull is cooperating in keeping their PA system down for our show!

Okay that takes care of the parking. . . now for where you park yourself.  Harold Harbin is the “audience designer.”  He, along with his volunteer carpenters, have created three sets of risers.  One set is especially important because it is for those in wheelchairs and for those who cannot climb stairs.  This section is located underneath a sound booth - that is high in the sky - so seating would have been limited anyway.  Now those who are disabled have some of the best seats in the house.

Oh yes, we have NEW padded chairs which will make sitting for the play very comfortable.  Thanks to the City of Lavonia for this contribution - I heard the Mayor picked out the padding himself!

Next, Harold created two large sets of risers and after building them with steps, he decided they, too, needed to be easier to enter and exit - so, he built ramps to go along with the stairs.  Harold’s mother recently passed away and she was in her 90’s.  He said, “Well I remember how hard it was for Mother to get around and I feel we need to help everyone enjoy the show.”  How blessed we are to have people with this attitude.

You see, my husband is disabled in some ways and so was my mother before she passed away.  I know how hard it is to maneuver a wheel chair in tight spaces, or to get in and out of a facility,  or to use a restroom that is not designed for wheelchairs.  

This brings us to the third important thing that patrons care about:  Where they Poop!  One must remember our theatre is in a former National Gurad Armory, which in those days did not have women facilites.  We have taken the largest of the restrooms and designated it for Women - that left the second restroom with only two stalls designated for men.  And, neither of them have all that is needed to say it is “completely handicapped accessible.” 

We did manage to take out the urinals in the Ladies’ restroom, add a few sinks, and new toilet seats, but complete renovation is not in this year’s budget.  The mayor has a vision of a new entrance to the theatre, with “brand spanking new” ladies and men’s restrooms and a proper lobby!  So, for this first year we are adding portables in the fenced in courtyard, and even a portable that is handicapped accessible.   It’s no way like we want on a permanent basis, but I think all our patrons will be properly taken care of.  

Okay, we have the three important things patrons look for covered so go ahead and order your tickets for The Last Hard Times - we’re waiting for you!  Call 706-356-1926 or 706-356-8202 for ticket reservations and we’ll hold your tickets for pick up at the Will CAll Desk!  General Admission is $15, Seniors $14.00.  Ask about special discounts, too! 

See you at the play, Judy Hulsey

It was Saturday afternoon, I was so very tired from a day at the downtown Spring Festival.  I had taken about 300 photographs at the festival hoping to get two or three that might be usable in an upcoming DVD which will promote Cultural & Heritage Tourism in Franklin County - including, Land of Spirit.  After the festival I had hurried home to pick up my husband Kenneth and get to the Cultural Center for the 3:00 PM Musical Rehearsal.

As we pulled into the parking lot, the windows of the Cultural Center were open and you could hear the music coming from inside.  It was beautiful!  I looked at my watch and it was 3:15 - I said to my husband that I must have gotten rehearsal time wrong - listen to that music.  It must have started at 2 instead of 3 - no way could they have done this in 15 minutes.

We walked into the theatre, and there was the full cast ( minus those who were absent to attend the Senior Prom that night) sitting on one of the seating risers - down below was Dr. Deborah Stark, Music Director for “The Last Hard Times.”   Heather McClusky was at the piano, along with daughter Kip who will be playing for the show.   Director Richard Geer and Playwright Jules Corriere wer standing there with the biggest smiles you have ever seen.  I apologized for being so late - and Richard asked if I could believe my ears.  He then told me they had started at 3:00 and that from the very first sound - it had been beautiful!  You would have thought this ”choir” had been together for a long time.

After going through the Land of Spirit theme song, they proceeded to work on other songs in the show:  We Marched in the Rain, Bump in the Road, Hard Times and Makin’ Moonshine.    Again, over and over the most beautiful sound - with such feeling!   And, just like the first night of rehearsals for reading the play - I shed a few tears. 

I can hardly wait until opening night. . . Judy Hulsey