Get ready to unwrap some laughs as Cordell local Julie Barnett directs yet another show-stopping, comical performance.
This time around, after being selected by the Red Carpet Community Theatre’s (RCCT) Board of Directors, Barnett is directing the ever-so-loved tale of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at RCCT in Elk City. There’s no sugarcoating Barnett’s years of expertise and knowledge of acting and directing with having been in the industry since 1996.
“I started out acting in my hometown theatre, Shortgrass Playhouse Inc in Hobart, OK. From there I went on to directing and have been involved in one compacity or another of around 100 plays,” said Barnett.
Out of all the plays Barnett has been involved in, she said that her favorite one is Little Shop of Horrors where she was the assistant director. However, her favorite play performance as a member of the cast is hands down Smoke on the Mountain.
“People have enough drama in their life, they don’t need to come to the theatre and cry. I love more comical plays. In fact, I recently played the role of Grandma Addams from the Addams Family performance that was held at Southwest Playhouse Fine Arts in Clinton.”
Upon her successful completion of said role, Barnett received the SOPHI award from Southwest Playhouse.
As Barnett went on to discuss her love for performance arts she said, “My sermon is that if it’s about you then it’s not worth doing. It’s about the patrons. If the patrons can come and have a good time and have a two and a half hour window where they can come in and escape reality, they can either laugh or cry, and have some sort of cathartic moment then that’s what it’s about.”
Those interested in experiencing the wonder of theatre and viewing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory can visit rcct.org for tickets, prices and more information.
The next production in line for Barnett, Meet Me in St. Louis, will be in November at Southwest Playhouse.