photos by Jeff Harbin, Life of Riley Photography

Texas Sweethearts

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When Patrick and Stephanie Earl met at the University of Houston as graduate students, neither had Amarillo on their radar. Immediately upon graduating in May, the two threw their things into a storage unit and headed north to the Panhandle.

“Last summer was the first time I saw the show, when Stephanie played Elsie,” says Patrick. “Everyone was so nice and I knew it was going to be a good experience for her. I also knew there was a distinct chance I’d have an opportunity to be in it this summer.”

After Patrick graduated with a dual major in biology and theater from Aquinas College, the Grand Rapids native moved to Houston to further his acting education. Stephanie, from the Carolinas, graduated from Greensboro College and began the same graduate program as Patrick in August 2008. The two met and soon began dating.

In March 2009, Patrick went to Birmingham to attend the Southeastern Theater Conference Annual Convention, a place where students and working actors can audition for a myriad of positions on cruise lines, theater groups, and, of course, outdoor dramas. It’s there that he met David Yirak, who is in his fifth year as the director of “Texas.” He’s also been the theater arts teacher at Canyon High School for the past 26 years.

“You basically audition 900 kids in three days,” says David. “You have to know who you’re looking for and we’re always looking for people who are serious about their craft. I wanted Patrick last year, but he had already accepted another job. Of course, he recommended Stephanie and Russ.”

After meeting the future Elsie and seeing her light up a room, David knew she was the right choice. Russell Daniels, friend of the Earls and fellow Houston grad, joined the “Texas” cast last summer as the Tucker Yelldell understudy. This year, he gets to play the loud-mouthed prospector on stage every night.

Russell also played a pivotal role this spring when he became an ordained minister online, only to perform the impromptu wedding ceremony for his friends. He married Patrick and Stephanie at the Waterwall in Houston on March 11.

By the time the Earls were married, auditions and callbacks for “Texas” were underway. When it’s all said and done, there are more than 150 people involved in the production, from actors and dancers to lighting and set designers, even front of house volunteers.

“At times it can be overwhelming, like the lightning cord and the horses can be a challenge,” laughs David, “but we work real hard to make this a place where people feel valued. It’s a beautiful place to work everyday.”

It’s a good thing, too, since the cast and crew are together for 67 shows in one season, from June to mid-August, including meetings and dress rehearsals starting in May.

“This show is so unique because the canyon is part of the set,” says Stephanie. “And it’s a good acting challenge. It requires a different skill set, lots of large gestures and big movements on stage.”

Stephanie learned last summer that it would be worthwhile to have something going on the side to fill her free time, so she initiated the creation of a Shakespeare Company. After approaching David with her idea, he jumped in with full support and a small number of actors got together to produce “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on a night when “Texas” was off. The show was a surprise success, so the team reunited again this season for two shows – “Taming of the Shrew” and “Much Ado about Nothing.”

Even though Patrick spent a few years as a street performer, neither he nor Stephanie has been a part of such a large, longtime outdoor drama, much less in the dead of Texas Panhandle heat.

“It’s definitely hard with the weather conditions,” laughs Patrick.

“Good thing the show starts at 8:30,” adds Stephanie. In fact, the week of its opening, temperatures hit triple digits. While the dressing rooms are air conditioned, most of the goings-on of the outdoor drama are subjected to the sometimes dangerous weather conditions.

“You know, people travel from all over the world to see this show and we’ve shut it down after the first act before because of rain that just wouldn’t let up,” says David. “Nothing stresses me out more than the weather.”

“Texas” is currently in production every Tuesday through Sunday night at 8:30 p.m. at the Pioneer Amphitheater in the Palo Duro Canyon. The final 2010 show is August 21.

For more information, log on to Texas Show.

by Jennie Treadway-Miller

Jennie was a columnist for the Chattanooga Times Free Press for eight years prior to moving to Amarillo in 2008. She is an avid reader, runner and writer.