BOWLUS FINE ARTS CENTER – IOLA, KS

We arrived in Iola, KS the night before our performance there.  It is a quaint Midwest town with friendly people and where retirees hang out at the corner McDonalds.  We checked into the local Best Western hotel and then explored the area (including the local Walmart).

The next day, we pulled into the loading area of the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.  The loading dock here is interesting.  You can’t really back a truck up to it because there’s no room.  BUT these guys have done this hundreds of times and have an ingenious “system” that works.  We pulled to the loading door and they backed a flat bed truck next to our lift, attached a ramp, and created a “loading area” that made things much easier.

We performed in this theatre about 10 years ago and we have worked with with Jeff, the Technical Director, at another theatre in Pittsburg, KS.  The crew went right to work hauling our equipment onto the stage.

We worked throughout the day to get the show up.  We had a few technical things to deal with – some illusion repairs – and Jeff was very accommodating by calling a local electrician to come over to theatre. The electrician – Gary – was great.  He pulled himself away from the big KU/K-State game to help us out…and then wouldn’t even take a few bucks for his time.  I was extremely appreciative of his time and he took care of our problem.

Ethan is from Kansas so much of his family made the drive to Iola.  His grandparents, parents, brother and sister-in-law, niece and nephew, and friend (CJ)  were all there.  I know he was happy to see them and this was the first time they had seen him perform in our show.

I had received a FB message that Sean-Paul and Juliane from Branson were going to make the drive to Iola to see the show.  That’s quite a drive!  I had the opportunity to visit with them (and a couple of their friends) in the lobby afterwards.  They are such nice people.  I had the chance to see their show a few years ago with Andre Kole when we were in Branson.  They do a great a job – very funny and entertaining!

The theatre was a near capacity audience.  And while people were a little reluctant to volunteer, those who did come to the stage did a great job.  It can be a little intimidating being on stage in front of people who know you when you’re not used to “performing.”

After the show, we packed and loaded up all the equipment.  We were starving so we met Ethan’s parents and CJ at the local Taco Bell.  The manager fixed food for us and allowed us to stay even though they were closed.  It was nice having the place to ourselves!

We left Iola, KS this morning to make the 2 hour drive to Bartlesville, OK.  We pulled into town early – too early to check into the hotel – so we did what we always do.  We went and explored the local mall!

We have a performance here tomorrow at the Bartlesville Community Center – a grand place situated in the downtown area.  I hear tickets have been selling well and I’m looking forward to a great audience!