Page 4 - The Wayne Dispatch

Love, Continued from page 3 market outside. Scenes were also tional Independent TV and Film Fes-
shot outside the Wayne Historical tival. There is a similar festival in
They hold hands. Their steps Museum and inside US-12 Bar and New York to what he has planned for
when they walk are in sync. They de- Grill. Wayne where, he says, $10,000 is
clare their love for each other and When we spoke, Antoine and spent in a week in New York City by
their unique traits: intelligence, Michelle were writing episode 2 people attending the festival. He be-
humor, giving, generosity. They’ve which they planned to start shooting lieves $1.5-2 million could be in-
been newlyweds for almost five over four days beginning December jected into the City of Wayne with his
months after marrying in July 2020. 9. The McKay’s are taking safety pre- projects. “We’ve gone through what
Although they still have a home in cautions for all involved. Daily tem- we’ve gone through for it to be what
Chicago, they decided to live here in perature checks, COVID tests and a it needed to be,” said Antoine. “I’ve
Wayne also. Antoine said they are set- nurse on set are part of that. been so blessed to act and teach
tling here because it’s “where we Before Antoine came back into around the world.”
were awarded and afforded so her life, Michelle’s “performances” Besides the financial effects of
much.” were strictly as a mosaic teacher. the projects, Michelle stresses the
“It’s so important to pour into the After reconnecting with Antoine, she cultural benefits. They want to en-
socio-economic. Wayne poured into made an appearance in “The G,” a hance lives, create hope, and give the
us and now we can pour back into TV series filmed in Gary, Indiana Wayne community a foundation to
the community. I felt special when I currently on Amazon Prime. She build from. “Our goal,” said Antoine,
was here, and we want to give that plays a woman at a rally while An- “is to create a production-based en-
back to the community,” said An- toine plays Councilman Battle. In the tity here where we use all the attrib-
toine. series, a man returns home from utes of Wayne. It’s a great city. We’re
How are the couple pouring back Antoine McKay recently starred in the prison to pick up where he left off, introducing creativity and fun back
into the community? They formed short film 'Unclaimed' that was shown controlling all the criminal activity in into the community.”
Chelletoine Productions to explore during a recent virtual fundraiser for the city. “She has stepped into this “Build on creative energy,” added
life through the arts. Their first proj- world and her art,” enthused An- Julie.
ect is “Michelle S. Bitts, Ph.D.” which Champions of Wayne. toine, “Her performance, it’s just “It becomes more of a destina-
they are filming in Wayne. The show struggled with mental illness before beautiful, and she fits right in.” tion than just a place,” concluded An-
is about a psychologist who, over the taking their own lives. The McKays What’s in the future? Antoine is toine.Wayne as a destination is a fine
course of the season, is going to de- want to spread the word about men- busy organizing the Wayne Interna- idea indeed.
volve into needing one of her own. tal illness, the ideas behind it, the
The title of the show is a word play language associated with it, so peo-
on Michelle’s stained glass business ple become more comfortable talk-
“Michelle’s Pieces.” ing about it.
How did the show come about? The pilot episode was filmed with
Antoine said a friend who is based in mostly a “green” crew. Antoine said
Los Angeles, told him that the net- these crew members had never
works were dying for content right worked on or done a play, much less
now. “Right here on this porch,” he a TV show. They are trying to use as
says, “we got the idea, and we started many people from Wayne as they can
writing.” The show has aspects of or else Michigan actors and crew on
mental illness in it. “We want to nor- the show. They want to use every-
malize it (mental illness),” said thing they can from Wayne, as far as
Michelle. Actor/comedian Robin that is possible.
Williams, fashion designer Kate Production spent two days at He-
Spade, and chef Anthony Bourdain lium Studio, shooting a farmer’s

4 · January 2021 · The Wayne Dispatch