Finding Work in the Theater
After years of enjoying Salamon ’ s talents as a natural performer , his father eventually dropped him off at Dallas ’ Theatre Three to find a job .
“ I was 14 and it was 1964 . When my dad dropped me off , I made my way in . It was dark , but I could hear that someone was upstairs . Then I heard someone shout , ‘ Oh sh —!’” Salamon said with a laugh . “ It was Jac Alder , one of the owners of Theatre Three . He was painting the ceiling , and some of the paint had dripped into his eye . I talked to him about wanting a job and within minutes I was helping him paint , and I ended up working there for another six years .”
He would take on many roles for the theater .
“ After that day , I did every kind of job there is in theater ,” Salamon continued . “ I built sets , I worked as an usher , I worked lights and sound , and I cataloged costumes . Then , one day , when I was about six month into working there , I was sweeping when the stage manager busted in in a frenzy , panicking and saying , ‘ I need a soldier !’ because the actor hadn ’ t shown up . Jac then pointed at me and said , there ’ s your soldier . She smiled , and within 30 minutes , I was on stage and in costume for a dress rehearsal .”
“ From that day on , I was in shows ,” Salamon said .
Lending His Expertise
Now with about 160 productions as an actor or director under his belt , Salamon continues to lend his hand to productions and projects of various sizes in the Hunt County area , where he has lived for more than 40 years . He is also closely associated with Greenville ’ s Texan Theater , with which he has been involved since it re-opened in 2014 .
“ For years , when it wasn ’ t being used , I would look at the Texan and dream of buying it , re-opening it and even living there ,” Salamon said .
“ Years later , I think I read in the Herald-Banner that Barbara Horan from Austin had bought it , so I stopped by , before it was even open ,
GREENVILE LIFE 22 SUMMER 2022