Shingle Tree

You know all those people that say money doesn't grow on trees? You may even be one of them. Well, I have to say that shingles are growing on trees here at the amphitheatre.



Okay, so maybe the tree didn't really grow shingles and they are from the new roof that is being put on, but you were impressed for a little while right?

While pushing the old shingles off the building, these few just happened to lodge in the tree branches which I found entertaining. Doesn't take much to entertain me obviously. Maybe there's hope for a money tree yet!

Tweet

We're on twitter!

Our name is LincolnAmphithe and you can read and respond to our tweets which include updates and happenings at the amphitheatre.

I have to say ... I think I may already be addicted to it!

Merry Christmas

I hope you and your families had a wonderful Christmas holiday.

Merry Christmas to all ...

... and to all a good night!

The Countdown

Only two days left until the big day! I have to confess that I'm as excited as a little kid. I've always loved Christmas.

I'm sure at this very moment my husband is racing around trying to find a suitable gift for me. Even though this year I made a list for him ... it even had a star system as to which gifts I wanted most. I even had a few Lincoln items on my wish list ... some Lincoln books that I've had my eye on for my growing collection. Maybe he'll get those.

I'll report back after the holidays to let you know if I got anything on the list. I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

We're Cool!

And I don't even mean the temperature. Although this morning it was a balmy 8 degrees at my house. I mean the town of Lincoln City is cool! A national travel magazine is taking nominations for "America's Coolest Small Towns."

I have to say ... I think the town of Lincoln City, Indiana, where Lincoln spent fourteen years, is the coolest small town in my book. Check out their website to view other submitted cool towns! Please feel free (and by that I mean you'd better) to leave a comment to say how cool you think Lincoln City is! Voting will start on February 2. Don't worry ... I'll remind you to head over and vote! I mean, seriously ... it's Lincoln's boyhood home ... what is cooler than that?!

LINCOLN Billboard

We've been working on a billboard that will feature our new production of LINCOLN. The new billboard is up! While I was in Rockport a few days ago I crossed the Natcher Bridge into Kentucky to snap a quick photo of it.



In case you are wondering ... no, I did not take this while driving. I parked off the side of the road and turned on the caution lights. Gotta be safe.

O Christmas Tree ...

This past weekend we went to pick out our Christmas tree. Tuesday morning it was still sitting in the driveway. We just hadn't gotten a chance to lug the thing into the family room. So Tuesday night we got it into the stand, stood it up in the garage and took a good look. After this my husband promptly said "I don't think it is going to fit." And of course it didn't fit where I had envisioned it. So we improvised and moved it to another wall.

Moral of the story ... get a smaller tree. Even if you have a cathedral ceiling the tree of your dreams just may not fit. Or our case it fits, but we can't have a tree topper.

We have a little Christmas tree here at the amphitheatre. It's a fiber optic table top tree that spins. Very cute. I think that may be the way to go.

The Flatboat Float

On Saturday we entered a float into the Rockport Christmas parade. Basically we decided to use the flatboat that we still had here at the amphitheatre. It was part of the old set of Young Abe Lincoln. It was easy enough to put that on a flatbed trailer and decorate it, but boy, I had no idea what I was in for during the parade itself.

My father is on the volunteer fire department at home so having been in several parades ... I considered myself somewhat of a seasoned veteran. Even so it was quite an experience keeping up with the float and handing out chocolate pennies and rack cards at the same time. One good thing about the speedy pace ... with all that adrenaline pumping I did not have time to get cold!

I do have to thank Mr. Lincoln, Ralph and my parents for helping during the parade ... what lifesavers they were! Here are a few pictures ... now remember, I never claimed to be a great photographer. Plus, cut me some slack ... they were in motion.




For a while we had Mr. Lincoln tossing the chocolate pennies to the kids, but we quickly changed that to handing them out after I saw a few roll into the street sewer. Bummer!

We'll also have our flatboat float in the Christmas in Santa Claus parade this Saturday so come see us ... we may even give you a chocolate Lincoln penny!

IFB State Convention

Tomorrow I'm traveling to Evansville with the Spencer County Visitors Bureau staff, Melissa and Crystal. We will have a booth at the Indiana Farm Bureau Convention. I'll have information about the amphitheatre and the visitors bureau will have information on all the attractions and lodging in Spencer County. There will also be other informational booths on Indiana attractions, as well as other useful information, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. central time.

The convention is taking place at the Centre, in downtown Evansville. Most of the events will be held at this location; however a few will also be held at the Executive Inn which is nearby. If you are interested in attending or viewing the schedule of events, you may find more information on Indiana Farm Bureau website.

So .. if you are in the Evansville area tomorrow stop by and say "Hi!"

Cyber Monday.

Happy "Cyber Monday!" Anyone planning to wipe out all their Christmas shopping online today? I may purchase a few things once I get home ... just so I can say I did.

Well, I've returned from a lovely Thanksgiving. I hope yours was nice as well. The only thing I was not thankful for is the nice cold that I received from the person that was gracious enough to pass it along. Just wait until I find out who that was ... they'll have coal in their stocking at Christmas for sure!

So today I've been working on finalizing my plan for our consignment ticket sales. We will be able to have various business sell tickets for LINCOLN right from their locations. It is a simple process too ... even better! Basically the business will have their own login information and can have limited access to our server to sell the tickets. It's nice to know that some things are still easy! Which is a good thing because I've also been working on my marketing budget. Budget ... sends shivers down the spine doesn't it? I figure since I had a break over Thanksgiving I can tackle it more in depth today.

Happy shopping!

I am thankful for ...

1. My family and friends.
2. Abraham Lincoln.
3. My new job and the chance to be part of something super exciting with our world premiere.

I figured I had to put my family before Abe. I'm not sure they would have understood if I hadn't.

Springfield trip.

We're back! We returned from Springfield, Illinois, on Saturday night. It was a great trip and we had a lot of fun ... good staff bonding time. Sites we visited included:

1. Lincoln Tomb
2. Old Illinois State Capitol
3. Lincoln Home Historic Site
4. Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum
5. New Salem Historical Site

So of course I took a lot of pictures and I'll post a few below for your viewing pleasure.

The picture below was taken at the Old State Capitol. At first when I took the picture I didn't notice the Lincoln that "appeared" in the mirror on the wall. You can clearly see an image of Abraham Lincoln in the mirror. For a moment I got really excited thinking "It's the spirit of Lincoln!!" Then I realized it was really a statue on the other side of the room that was reflecting into the mirror. It looks good though!

This was taken at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. We couldn't pass up a chance to pose with young Abe! Left to right we have Steve, our executive producer, myself, young Abraham and Eric, our managing director.

And lastly, this was taken at the Lincoln Tomb.

It was a great trip. I fully plan to return with my family because now that they've heard me talk about it for two days, they want to go!

Are those our seats?

So now that the roof is all finished they've started on the seating. The seats look like they may be missing a few components. Maybe the main component ... the part that you sit on.



I know what you're thinking ... "Um, Laura ... those don't look very comfortable. Where exactly do I sit?" Well, they're aren't finished yet. Right now they are just taking the seats apart to clean and maintain them.

In a few of the seating sections it looks like we've had a strong windstorm and the seats just got pushed over. Or maybe they are just taking a break.



Even though they look a little rough at the moment, I promise that we'll have them upright and ready to go for opening night.

Tomorrow some of our staff will be headed to Springfield, Illinois. We'll be touring some of the Lincoln sites. It is about a four and a half hour drive so my iPod will be riding shotgun. I'll be sure to snap some pictures and post those when we return.

Sneak peek

So one of the fun parts of theatre is the auditions right? We've been working on selecting some sites around the U.S. for auditions for our new production, "Lincoln."

It's a work in progress, but here is a sneak peek at the audition list so far. Mark your calendars!

Audition Schedule

UPTA - United Professional Theatre Auditions
February 6 - 9, 2009
Playhouse on the square in Memphis, Tennessee. For information or to register click here or contact (901) 725-0776.

Chicago Auditions
February 14, 2009
Palmer House Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. For more information or to register click here or contact Lincoln Amphitheatre at 1-800-264-4ABE or (812) 937-4493.

MWTA - Midwest Theatre Auditions
February 20 - 22, 2009
Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. For more information or to register click here or contact (314) 968-6937.

SETC - Southeastern Theatre Conference
March 4 - 8, 2009
Birmingham, Alabama. For more information or to register click here or contact (336) 272-3645.

Of course you can also find all this information on our website; it's listed on the Meet the Cast page, under the audition link. You will also fill out the online application there. Too easy right?

Paddle Wheeler

Recently Spencer County, Indiana, re-created a flatboat journey from Rockport, Indiana, to New Orleans, Louisiana. The trip was a re-enactment of a similar trip that Abraham Lincoln took in 1828 while transporting produce for a local merchant.

A few days ago as I was walking around the stage I noticed that our stage was sporting some lovely boats all in a row. Paddle boats from Lake Lincoln. It started me thinking ... flatboat versus paddle boat. Hmmm...

They sure are shiny. I think the purple is my favorite.

Think Abe would have enjoyed traveling down the mighty Ohio and Mississippi Rivers on a purple paddle wheeler? Not likely.

Our artistic director

In our search for an artistic director we looked for a professional with the ability to bring Lincoln's years to life. We found that quality in R. Scott Lank. Scott has the passion and talent to tell the story of Abraham Lincoln and an artistic vision that will captivate and inspire our audience.

Lank is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and the National Congress of Actors and Acting Teachers. His productions have been featured at the Toledo Repertory Theatre, the Lark Theatre, Northern Illinois University, Canadian Stage Company and the University of Evansville. A theatre professor at the University of Evansville, Lake is a 21-year veteran of the university's theatre department.

Lank has directed more than 60 productions, including many at regional and national levels at the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. He resides in Evansville with his wife, Janet. Their daughter, Leslie, is a freshman at Butler University.

Phone fun

Earlier this week we had a new phone system installed. What fun! It's great to have the phone on my desk now, although I may miss the exercise of getting up and running around our office with the cordless phone. The cordless is still connected so I suppose if we get the urge to roam we can.

The fun aspect of a new phone system is figuring out how to use it. The technician, who was very helpful, took the time to train us before he left. That training lasted for all of five minutes and then I promptly forgot how to transfer calls and put people on hold. Melissa, from our visitors bureau, called and Eric and I couldn't quite remember how to put her on hold. Was it the red button ... ? So he told her that if we hung up on her we'd call back. Then (with fingers crossed) we pressed the button we thought it was. Hey, it's the only way to learn right? Thankfully we got it right; it was the red button. So far I have been able to transfer calls and check my voicemail without any major mishaps. I consider that a small victory.

Meet our playwright ...

We have selected the playwright that will pen "Lincoln," Indiana's new theatrical tribute to Abraham Lincoln. Ken Jones is an accomplished playwright whose work has been featured Off-Broadway and in theatres throughout the country.

Jones is an award-winning playwright and screen writer. He is the three-time recipient of the prestigious Delauney Playwriting Award as well as the Post-Corbett Award for Best Literary Artist.

His list of successful works includes "A Red Eagle Falling," which was performed Off-Broadway, and "Darkside," with more than 300 performances to date throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Jones resides in Kentucky with his wife, Christine, and their three children.

A facelift

And no, it's not anyone on our staff that is getting a new look ... it's the amphitheatre.

This morning I arrived to some renovations. The workers were just starting so I didn't have a clear view of what was being renovated just yet. When I went out for lunch and saw some of our old shingles laying on the ground I realized that we were getting new roofing. It was either that or the wind had really picked up since this morning.

So far one of our restroom buildings is getting new shingles. Our stage has temporarily turned into storage for some of the roofing.


I have to say that the workers have much better balance than I obviously do. They are up and down that roof at record speed. I have a feeling that I'd be teetering along.

This is just one item in the long list of renovations we'll be doing. I believe our seating may be next in line. I'll keep you posted.

A short walk ...

Yesterday I worked most of the morning checking (and double checking) our seating chart that we are setting up with Etix. Once we have our ticket sales up and running, you will be able to purchase tickets from the comfort of your home. Ah, the wonderful world of Print-At-Home tickets. So ... go ahead and buy tickets in your pajamas. I won't tell anyone.

Anyway, since I spent the morning looking at little green dots that represented seats I took a break around noon and went for a walk. I mean, we are in Lincoln State Park and have all these nice, scenic trails so why not? What started out as a short walk by Lake Lincoln actually ended up with me walking all the way to the fire tower. That isn't overly far, about a mile to the tower and a mile back, but there is this one big hill. If you've been on the trail you know the hill I'm talking about. About halfway up I seriously started to consider my sanity and why I would want to walk up this hill on my lunch break. However, once I got to the top of the hill and climbed the fire tower it was worth it. From the tower you can see for miles; the view was lovely.

A couple of photos of Lake Lincoln

And finally a photo from the fire tower.

Next time I believe I will wear more suitable clothing for a trek in the woods.

A 'dear' visitor

I know that it is a little early in the season (okay, maybe our season has not even started yet), but we have already had some visitors.


On my way in a few days ago I saw this mommy and baby; they were so cute I had to snap a few photos. I have to say that they are probably the most photogenic deer I've seen lately. They did not seem to mind my presence, even though I caused quite a fuss by practically falling out of my car to get a good shot.

They are a little early, but I am willing to bet they got good seats for the world premiere of our new production, "Lincoln."

I am taking over ...

... the A. Lincoln blog that is.

Now that some of our staff has settled in (and we have time ... ha!) we are updating the website and blog, along with LOTS of other things here at Lincoln Amphitheatre! Like a new production, the lighting, the sound and the list goes on and on. It is a long list.

So ... now the important question about staff and changes ... who is "taking over" the blogging? That would be me, Laura Barker. I am the communications director here at Lincoln Amphitheatre. You'll also hear from other members of our staff ... it will be a joint effort. We promise to keep you up to date on the happenings here at Lincoln Amphitheatre.

We will have stories from all aspects of Lincoln Amphitheatre. From ticket sales to auditions, with lots of photos and stories in between. Since we are here in the scenic woods of Lincoln State Park I may don't be surprised to see "tails" and photos from some of our furry friends. We have quite a following.

For those that are not familiar with Lincoln Amphitheatre I'll give you a little background information. The covered amphitheatre is located among the thick woods near Abraham Lincoln's boyhood home and seats about 1,500. Lincoln Amphitheatre was constructed in 1986 and 1987 and is the only covered venue in the nation! Since it is covered, that means you don't have to worry about the rain.

As many of you know, 2009 marks the bicentennial celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Our new theatrical experience "Lincoln" is expected to be a highpoint of that celebration. The production, which will be enhanced by multimedia projections and period music, tells the story of Lincoln's life, who many consider to be our greatest president. Audience members will gain an insight into the life of the man who legacy continues to forge the future.

For now I'm signing off, but not to worry ... you'll hear more from me very soon.