Dore'Ann Weaver has always had artistic talents. Over the years, those skills have expanded into a variety of areas, including costume and set design and construction and painting a scrim backdrop the size of a gymnasium floor. However, Dore'Ann was a little unsure of exactly how to use those talents when she received a call in July of 2022 asking her to serve as art director for a DBM Films production called "Little Heroes." "I said, 'I am from theater. What does that mean?'" recalled Dore'Ann. Fortunately, her friend Robert Amaya, who played the Snake King in the movie "Courageous," was able to provide background information.

"Little Heroes" focuses on four young friends who discover something is not right at their usual swimming hole. They soon uncover a mystery that involves a local factory owner and the mayor. The movie was filmed in Chesapeake City, Md., and North East, Md., over a 12-day period. A premiere was held in Baltimore on June 8 and on June 9, the film was shown again as part of a celebration in Chesapeake City. "Little Heroes" can be purchased from DBM Films or on Amazon.

Dore'Ann grew up in Nashville, Tenn., where her parents were friends with set designers. As the daughter of a pastor and music director, she was involved in live church productions. After moving to Ephrata when she was 13, Dore'Ann worked on painting the set for Ephrata High School's production of "Oklahoma!" "I learned (so much) from being part of that," said Dore'Ann, who temporarily shelved her love of theater to work in the optical business. She rediscovered that passion after she married her husband, Craig, and the two became involved in the Ephrata Church of the Nazarene's productions. In 1994, she and Craig built the front of a church in a barn, and she painted a huge stained-glass window perched on scaffolding while expecting her first child.

Around 2012, she began sewing costumes for Cavod Community Theatre productions. Dore'Ann first became involved after her son Alex won a part in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," directed by Stan Deen. "I am a shopper whom you can give a dime to, and I will make it look like I spent $1,000," said Dore'Ann. "I am able to tear things apart and put them back together." To prove her talents to Deen, she created a Glenda the Good Witch costume for less than $20 in two days. Looking back, Dore'Ann credits Deen for giving her the confidence to succeed at her craft. "Stan always brought the best out in us," she said.

In 2018, the Weaver family moved to Stoudtburg Village in Adamstown, where Dore'Ann opened French Twist Events, planning to host tea parties, murder mystery dinner parties, bridal showers, and more, but the business was just getting started when COVID-19 restrictions hit. Undaunted, Dore'Ann went to work on local productions, including Lancaster Bible College's "Ruth" and "Queen Esther" at Sight & Sound, and she painted sets for Servant Stage.

Dore'Ann's heart is to see family-friendly movies made locally. "Amaya is working with state legislators to bring more film (production) into the state of Pennsylvania," she said, noting she has joined in his efforts. "(Amaya) recognizes that we have a very rich area to make films," she noted, pointing out the talent available in the local area.