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Home > Blogs > Arts and Entertainment > Archives > 2010 > February > 24
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Kettering artist wins design honor
Beadwork Magazine, the national “bible” of beadwork for designers, crafters and artists, has named Carole Ohl of Kettering one of its 2010 “Designers of the Year.”
Ohl is featured in the February/March 2010 issue of the magazine with her custom design for a “Kaleidoscope Quilt Cuff.” She will also be featured in five more issues this year with her patterns for beaded jewelry.
A freelance graphic designer for 30 year, she also teaches jewelry design at The Beadcage in Kettering. Her beadwork work can be purchased at Gallery 510 in the Oregon District.
Former local teen on “Zeke and Luther”
Austin Wells had a few minutes to talk by phone on Tuesday, Feb. 23, before an exam on his previous week’s assignments.
Home-schooled because he’s an actor, the former Centerville High School student, 17, said conventional schools “don’t understand” when you have to leave before noon to go audition or do some filming.
Latest proof of why he needs a flexible schedule will come at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 15, on the Disney XD channel.
He will be seen as Monty in the season-opening episode of “Zeke and Luther.” The sitcom stars Hutch Dano as Zeke Thatcher and Adam Hicks as Luther Waffles, two friends negotiating teen-age life in Southern California while trying to become professional skateboarders.
![Austinsmile[1].JPG](http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/shared-blogs/dayton/artsandentertainment/upload/2010/02/former_local_teen_on_zeke_and/Austinsmile%5B1%5D.JPG)
Wells’ character, Monty, is the “replacement brother” for Zeke’s little sister, Ginger. On the episode, Zeke is about to attempt a skating stunt no one has ever tried, “and he may not live. So Ginger, being Ginger, is taking the opportunity to trade up on brothers,” Wells said. “It’s really funny.”
Wells, who lives in Ontario, Calif., with his parents, Gary and Salli Wells, said Monty is “very over the edge. He wants to please everybody and will do what it takes to make them like him.”
He said aspects of his personality mesh with Monty’s. “I can remember acting that way a bit.”
Wells, who hopes to study writing and film directing at California State University at Fullerton starting next year, said he’s only slated to appear on one episode.
But he welcomes a write-in campaign to convince the show’s producers to make Monty a recurring role.
“Let’s see. I need about 25,000 people to post comments on the show’s website. Say something like how that Monty guy needs to come back,” he said.
His TV debut came in 2009 on Nickelodeon’s “iCarly.” He played a math geek on one episode.
“I’m not sure what’s next. Last night, I finished a workshop with a casting director that went very well,” said Wells, who is also a cartoonist and writer. “One of my dreams is to write and direct a movie.”
For more information about “Zeke and Luther,” go to http://disney.go.com/disneyxd/#/disneyxd/shows/zekeandluther/.
Former ‘2’ anchor Kerr back for Playhouse bash
A television news staffer working the night shift can forget about doing theater. Evening rehearsals are out of the question.
That was former WDTN TV2 anchor and reporter Barbara Kerr’s situation until 1982, when the station offered her the noon news alongside co-anchor Art Brown.
Nights free, she headed off to audition for a Dayton Playhouse production of the musical “Lady in the Dark,” a show she loved.
“To break the ice,” she prepared an introduction. “Good evening,” she announced from the stage. “If I do well tonight, I’m Barbara Kerr. If not, I’m Lorrie Roberts (a competitor at WHIO TV (Channel 7).”
The strategy broke the ice, earned a laugh and calmed her nerves. She also got the part.
Kerr, who now lives in Portland, went on to do lots of theater —including more shows at the Dayton Playhouse and in the glory days of Kettering’s Theatre Under the Stars. “Lady in the Dark” remains her “fondest stage memory.”
She will relive it and others on Saturday, March 6, when the Dayton Playhouse celebrates its 50th anniversary with a party and performances at the Dayton Marriott,
Kerr, who is married to another former Dayton TV personality, Joe Smith, is executive director of communications for Clark College in Vancouver, Wash.
Smith, whose duties at Channel 22 in the ‘80s included hosting the Clubhouse 22 kids’ show with Duffy the Dog, is a featured reporter with KGW-TV, Portland’s NBC affiliate.
Menu, decor and entertainment theme for the playhouse celebration will Broadway in the 1950s. There will be a cash bar.
“The night is for everyone, but we especially want to celebrate those who have been here as actors, technicians, volunteers and audience members,” organizer Dodie Lockwood said.
Other past performers who are coming back to take the stage include Arthur Jackson, Sue Jackson and Roger Watson. Plenty of current and recent performers will be part of the show.
For those traveling from out of town, the Marriott is offering a special overnight package including room, two tickets to the celebration and a Sunday brunch for two.
What: “Stage Struck: The Dayton Playhouse at 50.”
Where: Dayton Marriott, 1414 S. Patterson Blvd.
When: 7 p.m. March 6.
How Much: $40 per person, $75 per couple.
Call: (937) 424-8477 or www.daytonplayhouse.org.
