Artistic Winners Start Early

This column was published in the Tribune & Georgian newspaper on November 23, 2005.

Carolyn Cork (Greer) laughs a lot. Not just a giggle, but loudly, happily. She’s had that laugh since I first met her in 1982, when she was a student at Morrow High School in Clayton County, Georgia. Today, she’s a mom, a wife and a teacher. She wasn’t a quiet student then; she doesn’t perform any of the roles she has today quietly. She also likes to be in charge; has since she was a kid. When I mentioned her last week, I had no idea how significant it would be that I was thinking about her at that moment. You see, I was mentioning people in the arts that become winners because they search for and reach goals rarely reached by others. Carolyn has always been a winner, but now it is certified.

In 1984, when her beloved drama teacher moved away unexpectedly, Carolyn pledged she would keep their theatre arts program going, despite not having a really good teacher replacement. In the spring of 1985, when a twist of fate reconnected Carolyn and her teacher/mentor back at their high school, it turned out Carolyn had kept her word. All the talent and the commitment were still there. Those remarkable kids went on to perform a special play that won accolades across Georgia and created momentum in a program that lasted another decade.

That play was The Diviners, lovingly crafted by Jim Leonard, Jr. This folk tale is about Buddy Layman, whose soul and brain were damaged by an accidental near-drowning as a toddler, and the townfolk that loved him and cared for him. All who ever saw this show were changed by its message and by these young peoples’ performances. Four of those cast members are working professionals in the arts today, as teachers, performers and technicians. Carolyn Greer is one if them, a high school drama teacher in Owensboro, KY. Last week, a day or so after I mentioned her in our column, I received word that her students, competing in a similar competition to the one our high school drama students went to last week, were selected as the best show in the state of Kentucky. They will represent their state in Orlando, FL in the spring of 2006 at the Southeastern Theatre Conference One Act Play Festival. The play they performed? A special version of Jim Leonard Jr.’s newest play, Anatomy of Gray. Do you think maybe Greer and her former teacher, who now lives fairly close to Orlando, might share that experience together? If it were legal, I think I would take that wager.

Don’t miss local student artist Natalie Schulze’s one woman art exhibit at the Kingsland public library. Her paintings and sculpture will be on display for rest of the month of November.

Best bets for this week and next weekend: Swamp-funk soul band Mofro with the Jacksonville Symphony, at the Times-Union Center, 11.26 (Plugged In Music Series); The King of Western Swing, Bob Wills and the Original Texas Playboys, at the Florida Theatre, 11.26 (western/cowboy dance); 17th Annual Christmas Made in the South Arts and Crafts Festival, Prime Osborn Convention Ctr., 11.25, 26 & 27 (southern arts/crafts); Annual Lighting of the Tree, Jax Landing, 7:30 p.m., 11.25; 21st Annual Jax Light Parade and Fireworks Spectacular on the Riverfront, 11.26 (free/community holiday event); Gypsy, Alhambra Dinner Theatre, through 11.27 (musical/dinner theatre)

Upcoming events: Buckwheat Zydeco, Florida Theatre, Jan. 6; four decade chart topper Billy Joel, Jax Veterans Memorial Arena, Jan. 10; Movin’ Out, featuring music by Billy Joel and choreography by Twyla Tharp, Times Union Center, Jan. 17-22; Michael McDonald, Florida Theatre, Jan. 29; Arlo Guthrie, Florida Theatre, Jan. 31; Moody Blues, Florida Theatre, Feb. 27

Next week, we’ll sample a delicious feast of holiday festivals, events and activities to get you in the holiday spirit.

11.23.05