In May 2003, Moon Over Buffalo was set to open at The NED, and I was serving as the assistant director and stage manager. But just days before opening, on May 4, an F4 tornado tore through Jackson, leaving devastation in its wake. Lives were lost, homes and businesses were destroyed, and the entire community was shaken. Our theatre suffered damage, and while it wasn’t completely destroyed, we couldn’t safely perform there.
In the midst of so much loss, what happened next was a testament to the strength of the JTG and Jackson community. Union University opened their black box theatre to us, giving us a space to rebuild and keep going. Shifting from a proscenium stage to a black box in just a few days was no small feat, but our cast and crew, who were already dealing with so much, pulled together and made it happen. Against the odds, we opened Moon Over Buffalo on May 8.
That show will always stay with me, not just because of the production itself, but because of the resilience, kindness, and support that made it possible. The tornado was a moment that changed Jackson forever, but in its aftermath, the way people came together was nothing short of incredible.
Link to cast info/program
https://www.jtgonline.com/shows-1/moon-over-buffalo-2003
I remember wondering if we were going to try and reschedule the show for a much later date at the Ned (where the stage floor was totally destroyed due to the rain that came in) or just cancel. Then David Burke unexpectedly reached out to me. He was aware of our situation and told me if I thought I could fit the show into their black box at Union, he would make it available to us. We did and the show played great in their space. Kindness and consideration go a long way in theatre world, or anywhere for that matter.