Willy Wonka in Full Chocolatey Swing!

Hello everyone!

Did you see? Willy Wonka is a hit! We’re half way in between the first and last weekend and couldn’t be happier! A big “Wow!” goes out to our friends at Saint Francis University School of Creative Arts. The Performing Arts Center, which holds 2,000 seats, in the heart of downtown Fort Wayne (the old Scottish Rite Theatre) has been transformed into a chocolate connoisseur’s dream-scape!

Some may not realize, but there’s almost 80 Oompa Loompas! In January, over 140 area children auditioned and over half of them were cast. The Oompa Loompas are split in half; one for each weekend, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the first weekend’s performances! Do you know what I’m most impressed with? On Sunday March 23, the Performing Arts Center was filled with just shy of 1,200 audience members! It warms my heart that so many area families attended in support of our amazing cast. Youtheatre is all about educating and empowering area children, and we couldn’t have done it without such fantastic attendance!

If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend bringing the whole family (group rates are available)!This coming Friday – 8pm, Saturday – 8pm, and Sunday – 2pm. 422-4226 for Tickets.

In case you missed the annual FAME festival, it was a great success. Youtheatre’s travelling troupe Storybook Theatre performed on the big stage! The Youtheatre table was visited by lots of families interested in our shows, auditions, and summer camp!

Speaking of camp, have you signed up yet? Our “Rising Star” summer camp is a two- week intensive course in all things theatre. There are two sessions to accommodate travelling and busy families! Pantomime, character development, script reading, stagecraft, dance, song, and just plain fun! It’s a great opportunity to hone your skills as an actor/ actress, try something new, become familiar with the arts scene in Fort Wayne and make new friends! Give us a call or download our registration form under Summer Camp on our website (www.fortwayneyoutheatre.org) and send it in to bret@fortwayneyoutheatre.org or drop it off/mail it to Youtheatre 303 East Main St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802.

We’re looking forward to spending the summer with YOU!

-Bret