A June Bug Original Production
-The following first appeared in a November issue of The Floyd Press
The June Bug Center’s debut performance was an original production that involved a carpetbagger, an apple stack cake, a blue flower and a ghost. Billed as “Live Storytelling,” under the name Appalachian S.T.E.A.M. (Story Telling Evokes Appalachian Magic), the production was performed on Halloween 
afternoon as part of the center’s Fall Festival Family Fun Fundraiser, which featured a bounce castle, face painting, pumpkin painting, a costume contest and more.
Titled Aunt June and the Carpetbagger, the story was written by Karen Adams. It was directed by Emily Gruver and performed by Stacy Dowd, who was last seen in the Locust Grove Player’s production of Birth. Dowd was joined on stage by two other actors, Grace Martin and Fox Slife. Martin and Slife, who each played more than one role, 
are both Floyd County High School students and acting members of the Floyd Community Theatre Guild. Santosha Chantal, who is a trained actor and set designer, built the standout production set, which was like a fourth character in the story.
The June Bug Center is a non-profit community and performing arts center that offers gymnastics, theatre classes, Zumba, Aikido, Yoga and Taekwondo. It is home to Floyd Jams, the Floyd Music Lab and the Floyd Community Theater Guild. Although the Live Storytelling event was free and open to the public, tickets were sold for 
festival games, refreshments and face painting, as part of the center’s fundraising efforts. Look for more original June Bug productions and events in the future, the center’s director Stacy Hairfield said.
Photos: 1. Stacy Dowd on the set designed by Santosha Chantal. 2. Grace Martin and Fox Slife. 3 Some audience members wore costumes. 4. June Bug Center director Stacy Hairfield (right), pictured in front of the center’s new logo, is wearing face paint by Susan Saunders. 5. The Fork Mountain Ramblers (below) provided entertainment for the Fall Festival and were featured in Aunt June and the Carpetbagger.
