LOFTE HOSTS RIBBON-CUTTING, OPEN HOUSE AND ANNOUNCES POST-SEASON SPECIAL EVENTS

The Lofte Community Theatre hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony and public open house on Saturday, October 14, 2006 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. This was the first opportunity for those unfamiliar with the Lofte to take a closer look, and about 75 people took advantage of that chance.

The festivities began with a formal ribbon-cutting with theatre board members, elected officials, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and officials from the Nebraska USDA Rural Development office participating. The Lofte was pleased to welcome special guests: Congressman Jeff Fortenberry; State Senator Roger Wehrbein; Scot Blehm, State Director for USDA Rural Development; Roger Meeks, Area Director for USDA Rural Development; Cass County Commissioner John Baroni; Weeping Water Mayor Howard Stubbendieck; Louisville Mayor Dave Pankonin; Louisville BUILD representatives Dee Arias, Terri Scholting, Todd Ray; and Weeping Water Chamber of Commerce representative Mike Spohr. Others who participated in the ceremony were Kara Habrock, representing the Lofte building committee, and Larry Bauers, Lofte Chairman of the Board. Kevin Colbert, Lofte artistic director also too part.

Immediately following the ribbon-cutting Rev. Renae Koehler of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Weeping Water offered a blessing on the new barn theatre building. For the remainder of the afternoon the public had the chance to tour the new facility and talk with Lofte Board Members.

After 29 years in a turn-of-the-century hog barn converted into a theatre, the Born in a Barn Players have a new home for their 30th anniversary. Since gaining occupancy of the building earlier this year, attendance for the 2006 season is on a roll to shatter the records of the more than 10,000 patrons who attended shows in the old barn every year. Already in 2006 more than 9,200 people have attended Lofte productions and more than 750 have attended Lofte special events.

The curtain opens for the Lofte's final production of 2006, Out of Order, on Friday, October 20. But that won't mean the barn will be empty and idle until spring. Several special events were also announced at the Open House.

• One-Act Play Competition -- On Monday, November 20, the Lofte will host nine area high schools and their conference one-act play contest. This event is open to the public and free of charge. It will run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the 20th.
• In December, theatre-lovers will have the chance to see Tuesdays with Morrie. The best-selling non-fiction book by Mitch Albom has recently been developed as a stage play. A successful writer chronicles his weely conversations with his former college professor and mentor, Morrie Schwartz, in the months before he succumbs to Lou Gehrig's disease. Their Tuesday conversatinos leave the author a final, lasting gift: the wisdom to see his own life as something different than the accretion of fame, money, and success. This event is produced by Laura Kendall and Rhonda Lake.
• Then in March, music and family entertainment fans will have the chance to enjoy "Branson on the Road" at the Lofte. Debbie Horton and Donnie Wright bring the family fun of a Branson show straight to you! Country, comedy, bluegrass and gospel -- all coming straight from the Grand Ole Opry, the BoxCar Willie Theatre and the famous 76 Country Music Boulevard in Branson, Missouri. These performers have been seen in over 50 million homes on the RFD-TV Network.

Check back at www.lofte.com for more information on these events -- performance dates, times, and box office opening dates. We know you won't want to miss these great offerings!