January, 2006, marks the beginning of a new year at The Princess under the leadership of Executive Director Gene Thompson, who begins his formal tenure with the theatre this month.
Thompson came on board in October, 2005, working behind the scenes with former director Naomi Cordill, but has now stepped up to assume the full responsibilities for leadership in the community theatre he has been a part of virtually since its beginning 10 years ago. It is a job he describes as "a dream come true."
Prior to coming to theatre, he was employed full-time with Tifton Aluminum in Delhi, Louisiana where he had been for 21 years and held the position of customer service representative.
A native of Winnsboro, Thompson has made Winnsboro his home for most of his life and continues to do so with his wife, Marcy, who shares his love for the arts.
Thompson's own appreciation for the performing arts goes back to childhood. He learned to love and appreciate music at an early age and began playing guitar at age 11 after his mother taught him basic chords. In high school he played guitar with local pop bands and was also a member of the Winnsboro High School Band in which he played trumpet and was awarded the John Phillip Sousa Award. Later as an adult he helped organize the Franklin Parish Community Band.
Currently he is a member of the pop dance band "Crossfire" in which he plays bass guitar. His latest musical venture is as a member of the band "Back Porch" which focuses on contemporary folk music with a bluegrass flair.
But his love for the performing isn't limited to music, he enjoys television, movies, and in particular theatre. Thompson made his debut performance at The Princess in "Just Scratchin' the Surface" and has had roles in comedy, drama and musicals. His most recent performance was as the Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz." Personal favorites include the roles of " Arnold " in "The Boys Next Door" and the Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz." Another favorite production was "Smoke on the Mountain."
And it doesn't stop there. Thompson has served as director for all the dinner theatre productions and will do so again in the upcoming Princess production of "The Cemetery Club."
In addition to work on stage, Thompson has long been an off-stage supporter of The Princess. Last year he was nominated as a Volunteer of the Year for the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council.
Thompson is also active in church and community. A long-time member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Winnsboro, Thompson is a Eucharistic Minister and lends his guitar talents to the 7 a.m. Mass. He has also served as a member of the Parish Council and president of the Men's Club, in addition to volunteering with various youth programs such as Vacation Bible School and the Children's Choir.
Recently Thompson began sharing his talents with the United Methodist Church just down the street from his home church, playing guitar with that church's Praise and Worship group.
Indeed, he wears a lot of hats. But Thompson is most proud of the ones he wears with his family, particulary that of father to his two grown sons, Scott Thompson and Daniel Thompson, both of whom grew up in Winnsboro and are currently make their home in Slidell, La. |
