I love it when spontaneous things happen.

Saturday afternoon, my friend, Suzanne, and I were trying to figure out what to do for the evening since we were both free.  I noted a Facebook post by Dawn Roth Smith requesting ushers for The Zoot Theatre Company‘s production, THE TEMPEST, showing at the Dayton Art Institute.  Within a few minutes, Dawn had two ushers.

The production was held in the open-air cloister in the middle of the museum.  It is a lovely setting, and was perfect for this production.  The actors were fantastic, and oft, quite comical.  Many of these students are products of Wright State University’s theatre program.  No explanation needed as to why they were fantastic.

Dayton Daily News photo

Tristan Cupp’s puppets were incredibly designed and built.  I first met Tristan in 2000 when I was Rapunzel’s Prince in Sinclair Community College’s production, INTO THE WOODS.  Tristan sculpted the most exquisite cow, Milky White.  I had never seen this artist in action, and it was amazing to watch him design, build and fashion this particular  “character” for the production.  Milky White was another version of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David. The muscles and facial features were unbelievable.  Tristan recently designed and built the puppets for The Human Race Theatre Company’s, AVENUE Q, and are now available for production rentals!

It is odd to the eye, at first, to connect with the puppets, however, in a few minutes you forget there are human beings behind the puppets, and speaking through them.

I had two firsts last night: being an usher, and seeing a Zoot production.  I intend to see more Zoot productions.  Ushering… if needed.