Downtown Clinton is quieter this week as all the canine friends have returned to their respective dog houses after going through exhaustive rehearsals for several weeks and then performing on the big stage for 9 shows to a delighted audience every time. The kids aged 2-16 were adorable in their costumes(most of which were white with black spots) and they were ready to bark or growl on cue. The number of doggie songs they sang were done so with such energy that it was almost impossible to sit still and many of the younger members of the audience were seen moving to the beat of the music. The saddest scene in the show was when Cruella De Vil (Maggie Brown and Sarah Day) had loaded up a bunch of Dalmatians to be disposed of and their furs to be made into new spotted coats. The happiest scene was when the doggies escaped and the meanies were locked up in the fur vault.

A production like “101 Dalmatians” requires the efforts of so many folks who are not seen but are necessary for a successful show. Some of these folks in this show include L. J. Carr(Director), Kennth Best(Set construction), Anne Wicke, Lila Maxwell, April Aderman, Gary Wilson(Backdrop and side panel painting), Tom Wilbur(Lobby photography), Tracy Kirkland, April Best (Stage managers), Cherish Smith & Tonya Daughtry (Backstage), Nam Wa Ko (Videography) Will Hernan, Eli Bradley, Logan Best, Alexis Blanchard (Lights), James Carr(Sound), Prestage Farms, Grassroots grant from Sampson Arts Council, SCT Patrons (Show Sponsors), all the parents who saw that their children got to rehearsals and helped backstage and in the greenroom, the lobby personnel and the Board members who worked the concession stand and cleaned the theater after each performance. As you can see each one of our shows is a community effort and we appreciate each and every one who volunteers to help us.

Special thanks to all the area child care centers who came out on Wednesday June 14 at 10 a.m. to support the show and share the experience of live theater with their summer kids. Some of these childcare centers were Kids Only, Learning Station, Spirit of Life, Bright Beginnings, and Sand Castles of Kenansville. A fun time was had by all.

Special Thanks to our Sponsors of our Souvenir Program which makes for a very nice keepsake and memory for years to come: Parents of our wonderful cast of canines, InkSpot, Matthews Cards & Gifts, T&P Construction, Carr Real Estate, Carolina Dance Company, Hubb’s Farm, Victor Super Premium Dog Food, The Performing Arts School, Roberts Machine and Supply, Go Automotive, Angela’s Musical Troupe, Sampson County Cloggers, Fit 4 Life, Tires Inc. of Clinton, Salem Pizza, KZ Construction, Ribeyes Steakhouse of Clinton, Curtis Smith Trucking LLC, Curtis Smith Racing, APV Academy of Dance, Party Perfect Rentals, Nissan of Clinton, New Life Christian Academy, Black River Kayaking, Everyday Moving & Storage LLC, Jennifer’s Grill, Dr. Joseph Leinwand, Pope Roofing, Prestage Farms, Sampson County Arts Council.

Don’t forget High School Musical 1 auditions on Sunday July 12 at 2 p.m. directed by Angela Martin.

The Board is in the process of lining up shows for our 2016 season. If you have a favorite show you would like to see call us at 592-8653 and leave us a message. It’s possible your suggestion will be seen on the big stage of the Sampson Community Theater next season.

Our website is available at: www.sampsoncommunitytheatre.org and we are on Facebook but if you visit us there, we ask that you “like” us while there.

Upcoming Events:

High School Musical 1 — Directed by Angela Martin. Grades 9-12 Auditions-Sunday July 12 at 2pm. Performances August 21-23 & August 28-30 (8 Shows with 8 p.m. shows on Aug 21, 22, 28, 29 and 3 p.m. matinees on Aug 22, 23, 29, 30.

Big River — Directed by Dan Holland. Auditions August 1, 2015 at 10am. Performances September 25, 26, 27, October 2, 3, 4. (6 Shows)

Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever — Directed by Angela Martin. Auditions Oct 3. Performances Nov 13-15 & Nov 20-22. (6 shows)

Taylor Michaels Music and Magic Christmas Show — Performances December 18, 19 at 8 p.m. and Sunday Dec 20 at 3 p.m. This is a fundraiser for the theater and not a patron sponsor event.

Thoughts until next week:

A physician once said: The best medicine is love.” Someone asked, “What if it doesn’t work?” The doctor smiled and said: “Increase the dose.

“Nobody grows old by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.