Everett Collier is co-staring in a Fort Wayne, Indiana, production of "Driving Miss Daisy." 

The first performances were this past weekend. The next performances are Friday and Saturday, Jan. 24-25, at First Presbyterian Theatre, 300 W. Wayne St., Ft. Wayne.

Managing artistic director Thomm Hofrichter in an interview in the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette says he already had local actress Kate Black in mind to play the feisty Daisy Werthan. However, he held auditions in August to play her counterpart, Hoke Coleburn. Hoke is an older black man looking for work in 1940s Atlanta.

The article continued: "Hofrichter says he was initially nervous to see that the auditions only attracted a small turnout for the lead role.

“Fortunately, Everett shows up and he was perfect. We kind of shaped the rehearsal schedule for him,” Hofrichter says.

"Performing as an actor for more than 30 years, Collier says this isn’t his first time he has traveled up to 80 miles to perform in a show. However, he has been able to devote more time to his acting since he retired two years ago.

"He says the connections he forms with other actors make every performance rewarding.

Black says that working with Collier has been an exciting experience.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $24 at the door general admission; $18 advance, $22 at the door seniors older than 60; the first 30 tickets are free for full-time students or $10 after the first 30 tickets or if bought at the door; call 422-6329 or go to www.firstpresbyteriantheater.com.