Popcorn Prophets Live Stage Reading Brings the Magic of South Texas Storytelling to The Citrus Live

Popcorn Prophets live read at The Citrus Live.

EDINBURG, Texas — The Rio Grande Valley community filled The Citrus Live on Wednesday night for the first-ever live stage reading of Popcorn Prophets, an original screenplay written and produced by Reynaldo Leal. The event sold out 250 VIP and General Admission tickets, marking a major milestone in the film’s journey from page to screen.

Performed by a cast of professional actors, the reading featured Rio Grande Valley natives Dannie McCallum and David Barrera, alongside director and producer Nate Boyer, who traveled from Los Angeles for the event.

“It was incredible to see this community come together for a story that truly belongs to them,” said Boyer. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but it’s great to know the production team can count on South Texas for encouragement and support.”

The event was made possible through the support of Explore Edinburg (a division of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce), the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), and The Ricky Rod Law Group, whose sponsorships helped make the evening possible.

“Supporting projects like Popcorn Prophets is an investment in our community’s creative economy,” said Ronnie Larralde of Explore Edinburg. “We’re proud to help showcase the incredible talent that calls the Rio Grande Valley home.”

With the script now shared publicly, the Popcorn Prophets team is preparing to move into pre-production for filming in the Rio Grande Valley in 2026. 

Through Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship Program, the project is now raising funds to make local production a reality. All donations are tax-deductible and directly support hiring local crews, creating jobs, and showcasing the region on the big screen.

For more information or to make a contribution, visit PopcornProphets.com.