Center For Cultural Events

Outdoor theater plans 2012 season

Audie Blaylock of Garrett and his band, Redline, play bluegrass music last summer at the
DeKalb Outdoor Theater in Auburn. From left are Russ Carson, Blaylock and Patrick McAvinue.

Staff Reports
Monday, January 09, 2012, 12:10am

AUBURN — The DeKalb Outdoor Theater board held its annual meeting Dec. 15 and reviewed its second season of 25 events, including 23 that offered free admission to the public.

Mayor Norm Yoder commended the group for its time and effort in making the DeKalb Outdoor Theater an integral part of the community.

Before its 2011 season, the DeKalb Outdoor Theater board petitioned for and received approval for three events per week in place of the previous two events per week. The changed allow for more flexibility in scheduling. While the number of events allowed on the stage per week increased, the actual number of events actually decreased slightly from 2010 to 2011.

The 2011 performances included the Friday Night Performance Series that ran for 11 weeks, offering a variety of entertainment. The board agreed to continue this series and to partner with various organizations in presenting the 2012 Performance Series. Sponsorships for events and contributions for general expenses are important to sustain theater operations, the board said.

The Fort Wayne Philharmonic Patriotic Pops concert at the theater has proved to be extremely popular. For 2012, Psi Iota Xi Sorority-Eta Xi Chapter again will partner to bring the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra (part of the Steel Dynamics Foundation series) on Friday, June 29, featuring patriotic music.

Last year’s Guy Penrod-Nancy Honeytree concert, sponsored by the DeKalb Ministerial Association, attracted the largest audience for an event at the DeKalb Outdoor Theater, with proceeds from the ticket sales going to area worthy causes.

For 2012, the lineup includes a production of the comedy “Romeo and Harriet,” along with favorites Spike and The Bulldogs, The Old Crown Brass Band, The Auburn Community Band and many others.

The board elected its officers for 2012: John Chalmers, president; Kent Johnson, vice president; Tom Smith, treasurer; and Alaina Ring, secretary. Additional board members are Jed Freels, Alicia Kaufman and Larry Dove.

The board gave special thanks to Deb Argast, children’s event coordinator, and Fred Feitler, associate fundraising chairman.

The DeKalb Outdoor Theater is a partnership between the theater board, the DeKalb County Fair Association and the City of Auburn.?? The theater board said its mission is to be a sustainable, countywide, cooperative venture providing a balanced variety of stimulating cultural, educational, and performing arts opportunities for individuals and groups of all ages in the DeKalb community family.

For more information, visit the website dekalboutdoortheater.org.