OCTA time

Well, it’s that time of year again for the northwest regional OCTA fest, this year the competition is in Lima, I doubt too many FCTers will be going despite the abbreviated schedule. In an attempt to avoid excerpts on Fathers Day all the shows will be on Friday night and Saturday, with a banquet to follow then with the awarding of the winners at that time. Like FCT’s decision not to send a show , it seems like several other theatres have had to do that too, not nearly as many excerpts as in years past, sometimes it just works out that way. It is a lot of work and can be costly so that’s likely some of the reasons, but other times, authors restrictions or just the busy times with larger casts and long distances to travel to the festival can be the reasons.

Even the shows that are not..how can I say, tactfully, not up to the higher standards that I personally strive FCT productions to be, can be entertaining and educational to watch, although sometimes.. also painful. Lessons can be learned though, maybe not as much what to do sometimes, as what NOT to do!
Regardless it is a good time to chat with other theatre nuts, find out what they did the past season, what is coming up for them, and maybe even pick up a few good ideas for a show or technique along the way, plus there is usually a fair amount of laughter and good times often inspired shall I say by the presence of some “adult beverages”, yes this may come as a big shock to some of you but this crazy bald guy is going to have a few of those oh so well deserved libations this weekend!
I still have some packing to do and it’s getting late but I did want to send a big round of applause out to the casts and musicians from GUYS AND DOLLS and IT’S A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING for the wonderful evening of entertainment they provided for the community at the Hayes Presidential Center veranda concert June 11. The crazy rains and storms of the past week took the day off and it was just a beautiful evening for folks to bring down their lawn chairs to the rolling hills of the estate and sit back and enjoy the talents of almost 40 FCTers. Mary Jo and Randy should be proud of the way their shows represented FCT, it’s always an honor to perform at the Hayes Center, we thank them for their generosity.
The evening was closed when Mary Jo made a touching dedication of the last selection of the night to the victims and their families of the recent plane crash that took the lives of
  • Gene Damschroeder Sr., 86, of Fremont
  • Bill Ansted, 62, of Lindsay
  • Allison Ansted, 23, of Lindsay
  • Danielle Gerwin, 31, of Gibsonburg
  • Emily Gerwin, 4, of Gibsonburg
  • Matt Clearman, 25, of Maumee
    Gene Damschroder had many members of his immediate family perform with FCT over the years. Along with numerous other FCT connections to some of the others that were lost this last week.
    Our hearts and prayers are with them and their loved ones at this time.
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    About Mitchell Antesky

    Also known as the "Crazy Bald Guy", Mitch has filled many different roles at FCT and other area theatres, including (deep breath) president, chairman, propmaster, tech director, set designer, set dresser, actor, and director...but not all at once. He is active at Genoa Civic Theatre, Bellevue Society for the Arts, and frequently collaborates with Oak Harbor High School as a designer and technical consultant.