Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Quick Tuesday Gratitude: Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre

Last night we gathered for tech night in preparation for “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” which WriteOn Joliet will present this Saturday April 22 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

Thanks to my niece Rachel, who stepped up as our creative consultant, I know am familiar with terms such as "cue to cue" and "cyc wall" and the technical skills that happen offstage to make even a readers performance come dramatically alive for the audience.

I really wanted to take some rehearsal pictures last night. But even though we didn't run through the readings, I was surprisingly busier than I thought I'd be. I remembered the photos once I returned home.

Bad timing, I know.

But here is a photo of Bertrand the Mouse I took from his perch on the microphone at the sound effect table before "tech night" went into full swing. I really like the quietness of this image before the action begins: the set stage, the authors gathered, the empty seats waiting for patrons to fill them and be entertained.


I've been dimly aware over the years, from writing stories and attending performances at Bicentennial Park, of what a blessing community theater is and what a tremendous resource the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre is.

But I've never been more keenly aware of that fact than last night, standing onstage, speaking into the mic, running back and forth from stage to sound booth, that this particular community theater is, at its heart, of the community and by the community for the community.

Tickets for “An Evening With WriteOn Joliet: Readings to Entertain and Inspire You” are just $5. They are available online and at the door the night of the performance.

Visit bicentennialpark.org or contact the office: 815-724-3761 or bipark@joliet.gov.

We hope you can make it out to Bicentennial Park this Saturday. We promise you an entertaining evening.

You have Uncle Barty's word for it.






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