If there’s a positive that can be taken from having to cancel this summer’s performances at Frankfort’s Red Barn Summer Theatre, it’s that a small crew of workers now actually have time to deep clean, repair, restore and improve areas of the Barn that have been disregarded or deferred for decades. The intense pace of building sets, rehearsing and performing shows normally trumps any real attempts at serious maintenance; but due to being closed this summer, the Red Barn is getting a much-needed makeover. Artistic Director Michael Taylor says, “We have time to actually accomplish things we normally wouldn’t.”
Despite long days of heat and humidity, the crew is cleaning and re-cabling the lighting grid, helping to run cable for the new sound system, building screens for windows, maintaining the grounds, painting and replacing damaged siding.
The attic rehearsal space (the “Ark”) had gone unused for years due to the accumulation of props, picture frames, glassware and furniture. That space is now organized and ready for rehearsals. Taylor says, “We now have the luxury of actually fixing age-old problems, rather than just patching over them.”
A decaying wall on the west side of the Barn has now been repaired and painted. A storage space under the seats has been cleared out and a refreshment stand that had gone unused for years is now refurbished and ready to serve patrons.
Taylor has worked more than 20 seasons at the Red Barn, the last four as Artistic Director. Originally from Fishers, Michael now lives in Frankfort with his wife Maggie (Holden) Taylor and is in charge of the theatre program at Frankfort High School.
The members of Taylor’s energetic crew of Frankfort natives are Luke McLaughlin, Jordan Flora, Aaron Moon and Madison Myers.
McLaughlin teaches during the winter months at Clinton Prairie High School. This is Luke’s sixth summer working at the Barn.
Jordan Flora, a recent graduate of Ball State University, will be returning there in the fall to pursue a Master’s Degree in Digital Storytelling. This is her seventh summer at the Barn.
Aaron Moon is working his 20th summer at the Red Barn. A long-time audience favorite for his work on stage, Aaron is also a valuable contributor backstage and was head carpenter for six years for the Christmas Show at Purdue’s Elliott Hall. Aaron spent the last couple of months prior to working at the Barn helping to construct and deliver facemasks to those in need.
The youngest member of the crew is Madison Myers. Madison jobbed in at the Barn in 2018 and 2019 while still in high school. This summer is her first full-time year. Madison graduated from FHS with the class of 2020 and will be attending Ball State University in the fall.
Bethany Sheets, Community Outreach and Box Office Manager at the Barn, is also continuing her work this summer. She is communicating with patrons and season ticket holders about transferring tickets to next year and processing donations which are vital to sustaining the Barn through next season. She is available by phone or email. Sheets encourages everyone to follow the Red Barn on social media throughout the year for updates and announcements, and to subscribe to the mailing list on the new Red Barn website (redbarntheatre.net).
Taylor is grateful for the support of the Payroll Protection Program of CARE Act enacted by the US Congress administered through the Farmers Bank for allowing the Barn to complete this work.
Rex Camp, Chief Administrative Officer, acknowledged the important leadership of Bill Miller, Treasurer of the On-Stage Foundation, and the assistance of officials at the Farmers Bank and Hayden Consulting in the successful submission of this historic request for federal assistance from the Small Business Administration.