Tonight is a big night for Indianola.
Not only are the Gentry High School Rams playing for a chance to continue their playoff run, but this also marks the reopening of The Brindley Theater.
This will launch a week of performances of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
I caught some of the dress rehearsal this week, and based on what I saw, this is going to be a very fitting new beginning for the “Little Theater.”
The Mid Delta Arts Association raised a quarter of a million dollars for the most recent renovation. In November, we detailed most of the changes in our Sunflower Journey magazine, but the only thing that really does this transformation justice is seeing it for yourself.
I arrived in Indianola in August, so I never saw a play in the theater as it was before its recent closure.
I did see the project when it was in full swing. The chairs were gone, the curtains were removed. Most of the inside of The Brindley seemed like a normal construction zone, with building materials stacked high and sawdust in the air.
When I took a tour of the theater a few weeks ago, it was completely different.
There are brand new chairs, remodeled bathrooms and a renovated lobby space.
This past Sunday, I dropped by to take a few pictures of dress rehearsal.
The new curtains had been installed, and they looked great.
There is a projection screen that will be used for the Wizard of Oz performance that will enhance audience experience as well.
The best thing about this week’s performance though is the fact that a number of Indianola’s youth are participating. There has to be over two-dozen kids, ranging in all ages, playing parts in this production.
The $250,000 raised and spent on the renovation of The Brindley certainly spruces up the theater, but it also serves as a significant investment in those kids, providing them sustainable access to the arts and an avenue to express themselves.
I’ve had it said to me several times by veterans of The Brindley that they could not imagine what life would have been like in Indianola without the theater.
This current generation of kids will now get to experience that, thanks to the renovation project.
This project will likely benefit future generations of kids as well.
After six months, I am still amazed at the giving nature and generosity that fills this community on every level.
I have seen kids give up their birthday parties to give their gifts to more needy children. I have seen congregations give up their weeks to go help hurricane victims, and I have seen businesses give their time, money and labor to helping those affected by storms.
And when it came time for this community to decide whether or not to invest in the arts for future generations, the decision was a no-brainer.
I encourage anyone to get tickets, if you still can, and go out and see the new theater and see what the future holds for this community.
