The Men Behind the Music at the Lafayette Theater
Article & photos by Melodie Yvonne Ramey
LAFAYETTE, IN (May 11, 2018) – Throughout the years the Lafayette Theater has had its ups and downs within its namesake Hoosier community. The long neglected venue was almost on its last legs when musically fervent entrepreneur, Nate Pientok, took over.
It was not an easy task to breathe a new life into the long neglected house in the heart of Lafayette. It’s now been over 3 years since Pientok began CPR, though, and he’s still going strong. Even with the sometimes tumultuous environment his passion carries him through, and the venue’s popularity continues to increase.
It’s true that there have been multiple magnanimous souls helping the young prodigy throughout his journey. Sadly, most eventually must move on, but Nate stays loyal to his community and theater revitalization goals. Fortunately, he never has to walk alone for long, though, and the footprints currently joining him in the sand belong to Nick Perez and Kenny Cole.
Cole is a jack of all trades with a cool demeanor which makes it easy for him to be what Pientok needs on any given night. Kenny may be seen in the ticket booth one minute and behind the bar the next, but no matter the task he does it with style and a smile.
Perez, Nate’s right hand man, manages all of the theaters coming and goings with a fierce vitality that could only be matched by Pientok himself. He often has to pull double duty just like Kenny and Nate, but wearing multiple faces doesn’t phase Nick. He keeps a tight ship with ease no matter how much work needs done or how many places he needs to be. He takes care of the crew, defuses security dilemmas, and delights customers simultaneously no matter how busy the night.
Perez and Cole help Pientok keep the theater running like clockwork, but they are not just stellar staff. The crew is more like a family, so the two are also somewhat akin to guardian angels. They are extensions of Nate’s eyes, ears, and heart, and are quick to help in times of need. Nick and Kenny even take time out of their busy schedules to help corral some of those astonishing acts. Most recently, Nick’s Perez Productions brought in such large name performers as David Allan Coe and Twista which both had the venue packed to almost capacity.
It’s obvious that wherever Nate Pientok goes inspiration and prosperity is sure to follow. This is largely because he genuinely cares about his community, and sets his goals not on money, but on making the world a better place. Kenny Cole and Nick Perez seemingly blossomed overnight into music industry moguls from just a touch of Pientok’s seeded wisdom, so it’s no surprise that Lafayette continues to prosper more and more as well. Nate’s hometown is lucky to have such a spectacular army of aural angels leading them through this new melodic millennium.
Undoubtedly, Pientok’s Hoosier homestead of Lafayette has always been musically inclined on its own producing legendary stars like Shannon Hoon and Axle Rose, but with Nate’s guidance it’s quickly becoming a major musical competitor for even some of the nations largest cities. There’s no need for a psychic to see that one day, not too far away, whenever the legends of Lafayette are mentioned their names will be followed by one more. Right after Hoon on that harmonious history list will be the name of iconic entrepeneur and Lafayette Theater revitalizer, Nate Pientok.
Check out some more behind the scenes shots of Nate, Nick, and Kenny in the gallery below, and visit melodieyvonne.com/tag/lafayette-theater/ for more by Melodie Yvonne on the Lafayette Theater now!
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Photo and video footage shot for Photographic Melodie by Melodie Yvonne Ramey. Shot with Nikon D800E
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