When David Bautista became involved with his role as Judge Henderson in the outdoor drama "The Wataugans" last year, he knew it was something he wanted to do again, if not only for his love of history, but to support the local community.
  "I dream of the day that a huge sign on Interstate 26 points towards Elizabethton promoting the Official Outdoor Drama of Tennessee. This area is no longer what it used to be, and we are in the process of bringing a new economy here," said Bautista.
  Although his first debut as an actor was last season, the drama was something that fulfilled his interest in Sycamore Shoals and the Elizabethton community.
  "I've never done any acting, not even in high school," said Bautista "But someone said, 'you're a lawyer, aren't you?'"
  As a trial lawyer, Bautista is accustomed to being in front of people, and grand juries. "It comes natural, but I've learned that the more you do it, the better you get," he said.
  Growing up around the Sycamore Shoals area, Bautista has a keen interest in history. "I always heard stories about the Overmountain Men and the Battle of Kings Mountain, and how the soldiers assembled at Fort Watauga, and loved it," he said.
  So when a group of friends talked to him about the drama, "The Wataugans," he went to work memorizing the lines for his part as Judge Henderson.
  As the appointed public defender for the First Judicial District and president of the Chamber of Commerce, the role of Judge Henderson fits him to a tee. Judge Henderson was lead owner of the Transylvania Company and organizer of the Transylvania Purchase, the largest private real estate transaction in American history, which included most of what is now Kentucky and Tennessee, and is considered to be the beginning of the great Westward Expansion.
  Bautista hopes to bring the theme of this year's Chamber of Commerce to not only the community as whole, but to the drama as well. Bringing new people to the area means creating a reason for people to come to our community. "It's called commerce," he said.
  The revised beverage policy will help with that, he said. People who want to see the drama can go somewhere and have dinner which is readily accessible and convenient.
  "There is strength in numbers, and restaurants and the park should help tremendously," he said.
  "'The Wataugans' is about our history and it's something to be proud of," said Bautista.