SoIn 08132015

TOP THREE: "Heroes at the Falls" program

EXHIBIT:

"Meditations in Color" at Gadabout

A News and Tribune Publication

AUGUST 13, 2015 — Issue 78

ings r b r e t a e h T d Hayswoo stage n o e f i l o t e n Patsy Cli

2 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015 | SOIN follow us on TWITTER @newsandtribune FACEBOOK/YourSoInWeekly Got a story you're just dying to see in SoIn? Tweet or Facebook us and your idea could be our next SoIn feature. For the latest SoIn content, follow/like us online.

EDITOR

Jason Thomas

DESIGN

Claire Munn

STORY

Elizabeth DePompei

PHOTOGRAPHY

Christopher Fryer

WHERE TO FIND SOIN:

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ON THE COVER:

Director Allen Platt looks on during a dress rehearsal for “Always…

Patsy Cline” at Hayswood Theatre in Corydon. | STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER

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A combination coffee/bike shop comes to SoIn.

Succumbing to the theater bug

A

llen Platt was bitten by the theater bug career, DePompei writes. About seven years way back in high school. ago Platt was innocently watching rehearsals of Funny thing about such a bug — it “The Fiddler on the Roof” at Hayswood — his can come back to bite you. three daughters were on stage — when he was Platt, 46, is making his directorial debut with asked to join the cast.

“Always ... Patsy Cline,” opening Aug. 21 at the Hook. Line. And sinker. Since then he’s been Hayswood Theatre in Corydon. Platt, who was heavily involved, serving as a member on the appointed to the Indiana Arts Commission by JASON THOMAS theater’s board and eventually as its president.

Gov. Pence in 2013, was drawn to the stage by SoIn Editor He now acts as treasurer. the interaction between audience and performer, That’s what we do in SoIn. Even after a few Elizabeth DePompei writes in today’s cover detours we follow our dreams while giving back to the story. community.

He sees the same connection with the two-actor play, It’s about finding something worthwhile and that is a which centers on the true friendship between Cline and value to others, Platt says.

Louise Seger. In her correspondence with Seger, the You can put that in bright lights. singing legend would sign her letters, “Always ... Patsy Cline.”

Jason Thomas is the editor of SoIn. He can be reached by Life has a way of taking over. After high school Platt continued to perform “here and there” throughout college phone at 812-206-2127 or email at jason.thomas@newsandbefore getting a law degree and starting a family and tribune.com. Follow him on Twitter: @ScoopThomas.

Discovering layers of color SOIN THE KNOW

• WHAT: ‘Meditation in Color’ exhibit • WHEN: Aug. 14 through Sept. 6; opening reception, 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14

• WHERE: Gadabout Gallery and Artisan Shoppe, 249 Spring St., Jeffersonville

JEFFERSONVILLE — Debbie Welsh’s exhibition, titled “Meditation in Color,” features whimsical still life paintings that are full of energy, according to a news release from Gadabout Gallery and Artisan Shoppe.

Welsh’s style of painting, blending action with observation, results in layers upon layers of color and motion.

“The color appears to me as magical. It comes out as a glow. Color has energy,” Welsh said in the release. “The subjects that I paint remain fluid and I’m apt to change them frequently while I’m building a combination of layered images.”

Welsh is a Southern Indiana native and finds inspiration during her meditative walks in the region’s local parks and along the Big Four Bridge.

Ten percent of the artist’s proceeds benefit Project 321 Read, a service of Communities In Schools of Clark County. For more information visit cisofclark.org.

The opening reception will be held in conjunction with Gadabout’s first birthday celebration featuring live demonstrating artists.

Downtown Jeffersonville will also be hosting a free Trolley Hop that evening, where guests can enjoy live music while perusing the locally owned shops and restaurants on Spring Street. The events are free and open to the public.

SOIN | THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

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3 TO GO

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Where to go and be seen in Southern Indiana

A LIFESAVING AFFAIR • WHAT: Carnegie Center Welcomes author Chuck

Parrish for Lunch & Learn Program, “Heroes at the Falls: Louisville’s Lifesavers” • WHEN: Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug., 18 • WHERE: Carnegie Center for Art and History, 201 E. Spring St., New Albany • INFO: Participants can bring a lunch, drinks are provided. This program is free, but registration is required; call 812-944-7336 or email Delesha Thomas at dthomas@carnegiecenter.org.

The Carnegie Center for Art and History with historian Chuck Parrish will present the program “Heroes at the Falls: Louisville’s Lifesavers”, as part of the Carnegie Center’s Lunch and Learn series. Parrish is co-author and editor of the book “Heroes at the Falls: Louisville’s Lifesavers,” a history of the United States Lifesaving Station at the Falls of the Ohio, published in 2014.

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• WHAT: Glass artist Marilee Mundy Burnside • WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 • WHERE: Vintage Fire Museum, 723 Spring St.,

Jeffersonville • INFO: VintageFireMuseum.org In conjunction with Jeffersonville’s Trolly Hop, the Vintage Fire Museum will feature local glass artist Marilee Mundy Burnside. For a $1 raffle donation, visitors can help create a glass platter Marilee will fuse together at her kiln. A drawing for the finished platter will be held from the $1 donations. All proceeds go to benefit the Vintage Fire Museum. Trolleys go through the downtown Jeffersonville historic district.

Library Strassweg Auditorium, 201 W. Spring St., New Albany • INFO: 812-949-3523; open to all ages; free The program is geared toward learning about Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art noted for its gentle turning and stretching movements. Members of the Taoist Tai Chi Society will lead the discussion, demonstrating moves throughout the program.

Members will also discuss the health benefits of Tai Chi, which include improved balance and posture, increased strength and flexibility, improved circulation, and reduced stress.

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A GENTLE TURN OF EVENTS • WHAT: Tai Chi at library • WHEN: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17 • WHERE: New Albany-Floyd County Public

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Directorial debut puts spotlight on legend with ‘Always ... Patsy Cline’

By ELIZABETH DEPOMPEI elizabeth.depompei@newsandtribune.com ORYDON — Sitting in the director’s seat looked a lot easier to Indiana Arts Commissioner Allen Platt when he was just another performer on the stage. But after more than a month of rehearsals for his directorial debut, “Always …

Patsy Cline,” he’s singing a different tune.

“When you’re sitting in that seat, it’s really hard,” Platt conceded as he sat center stage at the Hayswood Theater in Corydon.

Told through a two-person cast, “Always …

Patsy Cline” is a 28-song musical based on the true story of the friendship between a Houston housewife and country star Patsy Cline. It opens Aug. 21 and runs through two weekends.

Platt isn’t new to the stage, by any means. He’s been in the theater world since his days at Floyd Central High School, which Platt considers a “national level” high school theater program. He witnessed a level of performance not seen in most high schools, and that’s how he caught the bug.

“Being in those shows, I think I just really learned to appreciate theater arts,” Platt said. “There was something really neat about that interaction between audience and the people in the show.”

Platt continued to perform “here and there” throughout college before getting a law degree.

He now works as general counsel for Samtec, an electronic parts supplier based out of New Albany.

About seven years ago, Platt reluctantly was bitten by the theater bug again.

He was sitting in on the first rehearsal for “Fiddler on the Roof” at Hayswood, but Platt was only there for his three daughters who were cast in the play. In true community-theater fashion someone randomly approached him about being in the show to fill in the adult roles. The person had no idea they were asking a veteran of the stage.

Rita Hight, right, portrays Louise Seger while Jill Robertson portrays Patsy Cline during a dress rehearsal for “Always … Patsy Cline” at Hayswood Theatre in downtown Corydon. | STAFF PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER At the time, Platt ran his own private law practice.

With work and family, he wasn’t sure he had the time or energy to take on another kind of role. But he couldn’t resist the opportunity, and soon, his wife, Heidi, was enlisted to the stage too. It was a family affair that Platt described as “phenomenal” and “neat,” a word he often uses to describe the theater.

Since then, Platt said he and his family have done numerous shows at Hayswood and beyond, including murder mystery improv in French Lick with his wife that Platt described as “a little bit like play time for adults.” About four years ago, he became a member on the theater’s board and eventually served as its president. He now acts as treasurer.

“It’s busy, but I like it,” Platt said.

With “Always … Patsy Cline,” he’s even busier.

The idea to produce the musical for a Corydon audience came up almost 10 years ago when longtime Hayswood performer Jill Robertson saw the play in Nashville with her husband. Robertson said she’s wanted to see the play on the Hayswood stage ever since. Fellow performer and Hayswood board member Rita Hight felt the same way.

Robertson and Hight would star as the musical’s stars, Patsy Cline and Louise Seger. But first they

IF YOU GO

• Tickets for “Always — Patsy Cline” adults, less for seniors and students reserved by calling 812-738-2138.H Theatre is located at 115 S. Capitol on. For more information visit hays org.

had to convince the board to invest in which would require buying expensiv 28-song script written by Ted Swindl eventually decided to give it a shot, i a director and enough money. With R Hight attached, Platt volunteered to d “I volunteered because I knew they really good and I knew that to start o it would probably be the best scenari that just has two people in it,” Platt s seemed like the right time to do it.”

Private businesses would end up fi production, a first for Hayswood The ater’s season is typically funded thro and the Harrison County Community Hayswood puts on four to five shows year. It also hosts an annual worksho children and an annual gala.

Jeremy Yackle is the executive dire at the Harrison County Convention & tors Bureau, which also acts as the the box office. Yackle said Hayswood has ular community following and brings to downtown Corydon. Recently, the t allowed the bureau to use the space fo Civil War re-enactment of Morgan’s “I think from the standpoint of my of work, getting some spotlight back some arts and entertainment is huge f Yackle said, adding that Hayswood is a good community-minded group.”

Beginning Aug. 21 and lasting two

cost $14 for s, and can be Hayswood Ave., Corydswoodtheatre.

n the musical, ve rights to the ley. The board it just needed Robertson and direct. y both are out as a director io to do a show said. “It just

financing the eater. The theough donations y Foundation. s every op for

ector & Visieater’s s a regpeople theater or a Raid. y line on for us,” s “just

o weekends,

Rita Hight will be known in Corydon as Louise Seger, a Texas woman she describes as a “tough, country-loving, cigarette-smoking, beer-drinking person.”

Though Hight often acts as director, she said she loves performing sharp, comedic roles like Louise.

The story of Louise and Patsy Cline’s friendship isn’t all that different from Hight’s friendship with Jill Robertson, the woman playing Patsy. The two met when Hight directed her first play at Hayswood about 12 years ago. Robertson was in that play and the two became friends.

“Every time she sings, I feel like I’m listening to an angel,” Hight said of Robertson’s voice, adding that it’s the same way Louise feels about Patsy’s voice. “The minute she hears [Patsy’s] voice … [Louise] says it ‘just absolutely stopped me in my tracks.’ And that’s how Jill’s voice affects me.”

SEE SHOW, PAGE 8

Jill Robertson portrays Patsy Cline during a dress rehearsal for “Always … Patsy Cline” at Hayswood Theatre in downtown Corydon.

6 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015 | SoIn

ENTERTAINMENT

MOVIES: AUG. 14

é “The Man From

U.N.C.L.E.”  “Straight Outta Compton”

Novel based on 1840s-era resident NEW ALBANY — From a former U.S. Assistant Surgeon General comes the epic tale of his great-grandfather’s struggle to survive in the middle of the 19th century in Jeffersonville, as chronicled in the book “Orphan Hero,” according to a news release from author John Babb.

Told by his stepmother that he alone had been responsible for the death of his mother, abandoned by the earlier departure of his father for the California gold rush, and threatened with being locked in a cage with his stepmother’s psychotic brother, 8-year-old Benjamin Franklin Windes decides to abandon home and trail his father’s path.

“Orphan Hero,”was recently selected by the Historical Fiction Society as an “Editors’ Choice” for August. It will be discussed by the author John Babb, at Destinations Booksellers, 614 E. Spring St., in New Albany from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15.

Thus begins a trip of constant battles with disease, severe

SOIN THE KNOW

• WHAT: Book discussion of ‘Orphan Hero’

• WHEN: 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 • WHERE: Destinations Booksellers, 614 E. Spring St., New Albany

weather, hardship, Indian attack, and death on his journey via steamboat and wagon train across 2,000 miles of what is now the United States. He spends the next eleven years in gold rush towns in California — first as a barber, then as a physician’s assistant — before departing for the Gulf of Mexico, where he becomes a blockade runner during the Civil War. After the war, he travels to the Missouri Ozarks, where he opens a mercantile store and meets the girl of his dreams. But their romance is threatened by a man from his past and a band of bushwhackers.

This week's entertainment releases

ALBUMS: AUG. 14 “Midnight” by Grace Potter  “Archangel” by Soulfly é

BOOKS: AUG. 18 é “Friction” by Sandra Brown  “The Murderer’s Daughter”

by Jonathan Kellerman

Kill the wabbit!

SOIN THE KNOW

• WHAT: Kentucky Opera single tickets • WHEN: On sale now • INFO: Visit KYOpera.org or call 502-584-7777

LOUISVILLE — Single tickets for the Kentucky Opera are on sale, according to a KentuckyOpera news release. The season features three unique opera performances. Kicking off the season will be Verdi’s “Macbeth.” Performances are slated for Sept. 18 and Sunday Sept. 20. Next up, Friday Nov. 13 and Sunday Nov. 15, is Jake Heggie’s “Three Decembers,” followed by Kern & Hammerstein’s “Show Boat” with performances Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 18-21.

MACBETH

"Macbeth" is a bold presentation that teems with madness, the supernatural and deliciously unrestrained passion of this classic Shakespeare thriller. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth burn with ruthless purpose in Verdi’s opera based on the classic play. After they take the crown, their reign of terror and corruption is engulfed by their doomed fate. With magnificent sets and costumes from the Opera Pacific Victoria, this production offers a vivid portrayal of Verdi’s richly emotional score. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.

Conducted by our Music Director Joseph Mechavich and staged by Keturah Stickann, the cast includes: Gergory Dahl as Macbeth and Lyne Fortin as Lady Macbeth.

THREE DECEMBERS

This three hankie opera will peel back decades of misguided love, secrets, resentment and unacknowledged

family truths in this intimate chamber opera by Jake Heggie, starring world-renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves.

We peek in on Madeline, the Broadway star and her two grown children over three Christmas Holidays to discover them wrapped ever tighter in conflict and affection.

A story of a family facing success and failure, “Three Decembers” is a beautifully poignant and heart wrenching work. Sung in English with English supertitles.

SHOW BOAT

Kentucky Opera embraces this American Classic with an operatic side of musical theater in a splendid presentation of Kern & Hammerstein’s “Show Boat.” Life on a Mississippi riverboat is depicted in grand opera style, combining the spectacle of glorious singing and staging, with sumptuous costumes and familiar tunes, all driven by powerful themes of prejudice and enduring love.

Classic songs from Show Boat include “Ol’ Man River,” “Make Believe” and “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.” Sung in English with English supertitles.

The cast includes: Liam Bonner as Ravenal, local soprano Emily Albrink as Magnolia, Alyson Cambridge as Julie LaVerne, Derrick Parker as Joe, and Angela Renee Simpson as Queenie. The production will be conducted

by Joseph Mechavich, staged by David Gately with choreography by Barbara Cullen.

SoIn | THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

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LOCAL SOIN HAPPENINGS Feeling left out? Send your establishment’s and/or organization’s upcoming events/new features/entertainment information to SoIn Editor Jason Thomas at jason.thomas@ newsandtribune.com

KAPPAPALOOZA

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 WHERE: New Albany Production House, 1736 E. Main St., New Albany COST: $5 advance/$10 door (children 10 and under may bring a canned good for admission) Fundraiser for Tri Kappa - New Albany Chapter; CMN Trio; Drew Alexander; No True Lies and The Hart Strings

LIVE MUSIC AT HUBER’S

WHEN: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday WHERE: Huber Winery Saturday, Aug. 15: Aquilla Bock; Sunday, Aug. 16: Natalie Graham; Saturday, Aug. 22: Joe Dotson; Sunday, Aug. 23: Petar Mandic; Saturday, Aug. 29: Joe & Arrow; Sunday, Aug. 30: Josh Glauber [huberwinery.com]

WHERE: RiverStage, Riverside Drive and Spring Street, Jeffersonville Aug. 14: Juice Box Heroes with guest The Hiding; Aug. 21: Tony & the Tanlines with guest Blues and Greys; Aug. 28: 100% Poly with guest Muji Fuji; Sept. 4: Steamboat Days The Louisville Crashers with guest Derby City Rockers; Sept.

5: Steamboat Days; Sept. 6: Steamboat Days Dance-A-thon/ Kidz ROCK the Stage; Sept. 12: Zumba Glow Party; Sept. 13: Rock on Water Jason Gray with guest Carrollton & Hush Harbor

BICENTENNIAL PARK CONCERT SERIES

WHEN: 6 p.m. Fridays WHERE: Bicentennial Park, Pearl and Spring streets, New Albany Aug. 14: Marrow: A band from Chicago with a fulllength album scheduled for release in September; Aug. 21: Horseshoes & Hand Grenades: A Bluegrass and folk band that released its third album earlier this year; Aug. 28: Anderson East: A singer and songwriter from Alabama; Brooks Ritter: A songwriter and musician specializing in rock, folk and soul.

LIVE MUSIC AT NAPH

WHERE: New Albany Production House, 1736 E. Main St., New Albany Saturday, Aug. 14: Hip-hop showcase, with JB Deeds, more, $6 advance/$10 door; Sunday, Aug. 16: Harlow, Mercy Beach, Unbroken Silence, Dark Horse, Point Blank, 3:30 p.m., $6 advance/$8 day of show; Tuesday, Aug. 18: Last Ten Seconds Of Life, Barrier, Knocked Loose, Left Behind, 6:30 p.m., all ages, $15 [naproductionhouse.com]

LIVE MUSIC AT WICK’S

WHAT: Live on State WHERE: Wick’s, 225 State St., New Albany Friday, Aug. 14: The Jackson Way; Saturday, Aug. 15: Wax Factory; Saturday, Aug. 21: Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method; Saturday, Aug. 22: Six Mile South; Saturday, Aug. 29: Usual Suspects

CONCERTS IN THE PARK

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday WHERE: Warder Park, Court Avenue and Spring Street, Jeffersonville Aug. 14: Rascals of Ragtyme; Aug. 21: The Saints Blues Band; Aug. 28: Indigo; Sept. 4: Moonlight Big Band; Sept. 11: Cloigheann Irish Band; Sept.

18: Wulfe Brothers

RIVERSTAGE CONCERT SERIES WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

LIVE MUSIC AT BIG FOUR BURGERS + BEER JEFFERSONVILLE

WHERE: Big Four Burgers + Beer, 134 Spring St., Jeffersonville WHEN: Friday and Saturday Friday, Aug. 14: Josh and Joanna; Saturday, Aug. 15: Kelsey Allen; Friday, Aug. 21: Kyle Hastings; Saturday, Aug. 22: Kelsey Allen; Friday, Aug. 28: Tyler Stiller; Saturday, Aug. 29: Kelsey Allen [bigfourburgers.com]

LIVE MUSIC AT BIG FOUR BURGERS + BEER NEW ALBANY

WHERE: Big Four Burgers + Beer, 114 E. Main St., New Albany WHEN: Friday and Saturday Friday, Aug. 14: Katie and Kaela; Saturday, Aug. 15: Josh and Joanna; Friday, Aug. 21: Kelsey Allen; Saturday, Aug. 22: Tyler Stiller; Friday, Aug. 28: Katie and Kaela; Saturday, Aug. 19: Kyle Hastings [bigfourburgers.com]

The IU Southeast Theatre Department will be hosting auditions for "Noises Off" beginning Friday, Aug. 28. | FILE PHOTO

Chance to be on stage IUS Theatre to hold auditions for ‘Noises Off’ NEW ALBANY — The Indiana University Southeast Theatre Department will hold open auditions for the comedy, “Noises Off,” by Michael Frayn on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. in the Robinson Theater in the Ogle Center on the IU Southeast campus, 4201 Grant Line Road, New Albany.

Roles are available for adults age 18 to 65, according to an IUS news release. Those auditioning should prepare a brief comic monologue. Auditions will also consist of cold readings. Please bring a resume and headshot, if available.

Performance dates are Thursday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 8, and Thursday, Nov. 12 through Sunday, Nov. 15.

CASTING POLICY

Auditions are open to the public.

Every effort is made to cast the best and/or most appropriate actor for each role for

SOIN THE KNOW

• WHAT: ‘Noises Off’ auditions

• WHEN: Friday-Sunday, Aug. 28-30

• WHERE: Robinson

Theater, Ogle Center on the IU Southeast campus, 4201 Grant Line Road, New Albany.

• INFO: Contact the director, Jim Hesselman, at jhesselm@ius.edu or call the IU Southeast Theatre Department 812-941-2655. each show. However, since IU Southeast is first a foremost an institution of higher learning, it is often necessary to consider the needs of students in order to further educational goals.

Those who are cast, regardless of whether they are a member of the IU Southeast student body or a member of the general public, are expected to attend all rehearsals and perform all performances.

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8 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015 | SOIN

SHOW: Robertson says she hopes show draws new audience CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 Robertson has performed at Hayswood for about 15 years. She never studied theater, but she said she’s loved it since she hit the stage in high school. Between raising children and juggling a career, Robertson didn’t have enough time to pursue that love.

Then in her 40s she decided she could try out for something at Hayswood.

“I’ve been hooked ever since,” Robertson said.

Robertson grew up listening to country music. Once she started singing country music in her 30s, she leaned toward the classics, like Patsy Cline. During rehearsal one day last week, Robertson did more than sing Patsy Cline songs. Dressed in a bright blue sequin dress and a short, black wig, Robertson channeled the country music star.

“I don’t think you can really sound like Patsy Cline, she’s so iconic” Robertson said before rehearsal. “But I try to phrase things the way she might phrase them or give a lot of energy to certain notes. She just had a real style that you can’t mimic exact.”

Before Robertson belted out Patsy Cline classics like, “Walkin’ After Midnight” and “I Fall to Pieces,” Hight, dressed as Louise in country boots and fringe to match, commanded the set as she energetically reminisced about the first time she heard Patsy Cline on the radio and how the two women met. At one point, Hight left the stage to interact with pretend audience members, moving them to dance along to “Come On In.”

Meanwhile, Platt sat a few rows back next to his production manager Emily Trinkle, often laughing and whispering notes to one another. Platt said the production is further along earlier than any other production he’s worked on. He said he won’t be nervous for himself on opening night, but he’ll be nervous for his stars.

“I’ll be nervous for them for sure,” he said. “Not because I’m worried

The marquee for Hayswood Theatre is pictured outside of the theater in downtown Corydon. | STAFF PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER FRYER

The Indiana Arts Commission consists of 14 commissioners representing districts throughout the state. Commissioners are appointed by the governor and serve a three-year term, which can be renewed once for a second term.

Allen Platt, 46, Floyds Knobs, was appointed in the fall of 2013 after former commissioner Judy Hess referred him. Platt represents the 12th district which includes Washington, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Clark, Scott and Jefferson counties.

According to the IAC website, commissioners must attend four meetings each year, serve on two IAC committees and attend special functions throughout the year.

“As commissioners our job is to be kind of the governing body over the arts commission and to help in working with them on the strategies to utilize those funds around the state,” Platt said. “The goal really is to foster the arts around the state.”

Platt said the people appointed to the commission aren’t politicians.

“They’re literally people who love the arts, think about the arts all the time and just try to make sure that we have those vibrant arts communities,” he said.

— Elizabeth DePompei about their performance but because I really want them to have a good experience because they have worked so hard on it and for two people, it’s a lot to carry.”

Along with Hight and Robertson’s performances, the small, 70-seat the-

ater will be treated to a six-piece band.

Robertson said she hopes the show will draw in a new audience, one that may not love theater, but loves country music and live performance.

“We have a really nice loyal following of local community people

A likeness of Patsy Cline is pictured on a banner advertisement for “Always … Patsy Cline” outside of Hayswood Theatre in downtown Corydon. that have always come to Hayswood,” Platt said. “My guess is that 50 percent of the audience will be people that never come to our shows.”

The interaction between audience and performer is what drew Platt to the stage years ago, and it’s one reason he wanted to direct “Always … Patsy Cline.” He said he’s thankful that Corydon has seemed to embrace live

performance and that Hayswood is an important piece to the arts community.

It’s why he joined the theater’s board in 2012 and why he was appointed to the Indiana Arts Commission two years ago.

“You kind of have to find what you think is worthwhile and a value to others,” Platt said. “And for me this has been it.”