Live theatre is back, and there are many opportunities to watch a performance by local artists right here in our area. From Bryan, Ohio, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, community theaters are working hard to put on some entertaining shows this summer. One of those local groups, the Fort Wayne Summer Music Theatre, has gathered an unbelievably talented cast and crew to perform Les Misérables, School Edition, under the direction of Andrew Sherman. This show will be performed at the University of Saint Francis Performing Arts Center in downtown Ft. Wayne on July 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, and August 1.
This production has a cast of 67 students from 23 area schools, including 3 from our very own Antwerp High School: Aaron Hawley, Ilse Zijlstra and Myranda Brooks. Also included in this stellar cast are a few other familiar faces to northwest Ohio theatre-goers. Natalie Wakefield, and Trey and Trinity McFarland have all been previously seen on the Huber stage. According to Ilse, “This is the biggest production I’ve performed in with some crazy talented teens. The director, Andrew Sherman, said in a different article that all the people who were cast could easily have played a lead role so if that doesn’t tell you the sheer amount of talent then I don’t know what does.”
FWSMT is in its 23rd year of giving local students an educational summer theatre experience. Students spend many hours rehearsing each week starting in late May with some of the area’s finest music and theatre educators, and they also get to learn about the “behind-the-scenes” aspects of the theatre. Myranda Brooks commented, “We’ve all put a lot of hours into building the set for the show. On occasion, I’ve painted set pieces in the past but I’ve never actually built things before. It is very cool to see that side of the production as well as it is fulfilling to know that you had some part in constructing this massive set.”
Ilse and Myranda are making their debuts with the FWSMT program, though neither one is a stranger to the stage. Both have been in several productions at Antwerp Jr/Sr High School as well as on the Huber stage in Hicksville. Myranda says, “after seeing [FWSMT’s] West Side Story two years ago, I knew I really wanted to try and be in a show with this company. I can’t think of a better way to spend my summer. I’ve gotten to meet a ton of new people and be a part of the most amazing show. It’s truly been such an amazing experience and I can’t wait for people to see it!”
Les Misérables is a story of love and redemption which follows the character of Jean Valjean and his journey from prisoner to mayor to father. Playing Jean Valjean is recently graduated Antwerp senior, Aaron Hawley. This is Aaron’s 6th year and 5th production with Fort Wayne Summer Music Theatre, with previously notable roles being Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Tony in West Side Story. “This year’s production is going to be like something you’ve never seen in local theatre. This is the all-star team of high school theatre and I guarantee you will not be disappointed by the incredible amount of talent that can be found in our area’s high schools. I promise, you do NOT want to miss this show.”
Tickets for Les Misérables can be purchased online at www.IMTFinc.com or at the door prior to each production. More information about the Fort Wayne Summer Music Theatre and its parent organization, Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation, can also be found at www.IMTFinc.com.
