|
|
August 9, 2002/Elul 1 5762, Vol. 54, No. 47
'The Wiz' starts Valley Youth Theatre season
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
Valley Youth Theatre is easing down the road to success as it prepares to open its 14th season with "The Wiz" to be presented at Herberger Theater Center beginning tonight (Friday, Aug. 9).
"The Wiz," which sold out all 16 of its performances in March, will reopen with a new, larger cast of 54 young people from all over the Valley.
"The story is all about believing in yourself and working together and it's just a beautiful message," artistic director Bobb Cooper explains. "With the success of it this past season, we thought what better way to ... kick off the season then bringing it back and giving more opportunities."
The focal point of the musical's run will be VYT's annual fund-raiser "The Most VYTal Event of the Season," to be held 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17. The event will include cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, a raffle and a performance of "The Wiz," all followed by dessert.
VYT will also present their annual VYTality Award (Valley Youth Theatre Applauds Leadership Impacting Today's Youth) to Cox Communications.
"The honoree is selected based on their relationship and impact on Valley Youth Theatre and their relationship with children in the community at large," explains Hope Ozer, VYT board chairwoman. "Cox Communications (has) been very generous to the community over the years and (has) been extraordinarily generous to Valley Youth Theatre."
Cooper says the gospel rock version of "The Wizard of Oz" gave VYT the opportunity to reach out to the racially and ethnically diverse Valley community.
"We've always had children of color in our productions. The ratio of Caucasian children to African-American children kind of mirrored what we have in Phoenix, but with 'The Wiz' we were able to tip that scale and 30 to 40 percent of our audience was of color. It gave an opportunity to give really great roles to children of color," Cooper explains.
Ozer believes that the diversity of VYT participants is part of the theater's appeal.
"It draws from all over the Valley. Children are interacting and learning how to work with and deal with people that are from all different backgrounds, which is what the world is - not just kids you go to high school with."
In addition to reaching out to the entire Valley community for participants and audiences for VYT productions, the organization has created outreach programs to reach the inner-city community.
Literacy and the Arts began in 1994 and partners VYT with the Roosevelt and Phoenix Elementary school districts. Students at participating schools are provided with copies of books that are integrated into the classroom curriculum. The students then attend a specially designed VYT production that reinforces the story.
The After School Playhouse program began last year and provides after-school theater arts instruction to students in grades three through eight at Lowell School.
In the last five years, VYT has received frequent recognition for all aspects of the organization, from a record-breaking 81 nominations for ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence for the 2000-2001 season to a 1999 DREAM'R Award from the Downtown Phoenix Partnership - awarded to their theater, located at 525 N. First St., for "converting a run-down area into a viable cultural attraction in the downtown redevelopment area," according to Ozer.
Additionally, VYT has purchased a nearby facility at 1121 N. First St. to serve as the theater's education and outreach center.
In 13 years, VYT's budget has grown from $12,900 to the upcoming season's $1.2 million. Cooper attributes the success to the quality of the theater's productions, as well as the organization's financial status.
"I've seen it grow in the quality of programming, the outreach to the community, a very defined mission ... and the strength of the organization as being a very responsible arts organization. All too often theater organizations and arts organizations aren't fiscally responsible and we're proud to say that for 13 years, we've been in the black," says Cooper.
Ozer agrees that the quality of VYT's programming is an important part of its success, yet she's careful to point out that these aren't professional actors, but children interested in performing.
"The quality of what Valley Youth Theatre produces is exceptional. It's open to all children at all levels of experience," she says. "They are not expected to show up already polished. I've watched kids go from the audition process through the rehearsal process, right through to opening night and the growth is extraordinary."
Meghan Marmor of Phoenix, 15, is a cast member in "The Wiz" - she is a dancer in the Tornado Ballet, a Winkie and an Emerald City Citizen. This is Marmor's second production with VYT and she has been impressed with the theater's "professional" shows.
"It teaches you self-discipline because ... they won't take any slackers," she explains. "It teaches you to be on top of things. It teaches you to be an adult and responsible."
Marmor has also been pleased with the opportunity to make many new friends.
"Since it's such a diverse show, as opposed to meeting only Jewish kids or meeting only the kids who live in my area, I'm meeting kids from all over," she says.
Luis Gutierrez of Phoenix, 18, is also part of the Tornado Ballet, an Emerald City Citizen, a Winkie and the Yellow Brick Road. In his five years at VYT, he has participated in 15 to 20 productions, and also sees the personal benefit young people receive from their participation.
"It takes a lot to get on stage," he says. "I think it builds confidence and self-esteem in people."
Most importantly, Cooper believes, VYT teaches young people to strive for their personal best.
"With our strong mission to encourage these young people to be the best that they can be ... the impact on the community will be seen with the strong leadership these young people will have - a sense of responsibility, a sense of respect, a strong work ethic, a commitment to caring about the community, a commitment and understanding of working together and understanding each other, knowing that it takes hard work to reap the benefit and the great rewards."
Details
- Who: Valley Youth Theatre
- What: Annual fund-raiser "The Most VYTal Event of the Season" featuring a performance of "The Wiz"
- Where: Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe St., Phoenix
- When: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17
- Cost: $125
- Call: 602-253-8188, ext. 304
|
