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July 2007 Organization of the Month |
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Each month LARAC highlights an Organization from the
Adirondack Region
that is tied to the arts and culture of the
region. |
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Youtheatre
Celebrating Its 30th Anniversary
Lake George, NY
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Click on each image to view more detail |
Hello Dolly
1989 |
Once on This Island
1993 |
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Evita
1996 |
Snoopy
2000 |
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Beauty and the Beast
2005 |
Cats
2006 |
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In the mid 1970’s Mickey Luce developed an idea for a theatre group which would be an alternative
to sports for kids. The idea became a reality in 1978 when
YOUTHEATRE was born. The starting team included four eager
individuals, Fay Robinson on piano, Don Siano as Music Director,
Peg Williams as Scenic Artist and Mickey Luce as director, all teachers
in the Lake George School system. The first season, in the Little
Theater at Lake George Elementary School, 25 players performed in three children’s musicals. At that time
the audience was
mainly parents and a few friends.
In 1981, Sue Delsignore came on as
Music Director in 1981, and 1983 was a year of firsts. It was the first
year the organization had a choreographer, Nan Girard. They performed
their first
Broadway musical, Annie and had their first sold out crowd. YOUTHEATRE was finally catching on! In our earliest years
YOUTHEATRE had
the support of Victor and Jessica King of Lake George RV Park. Since
1985 two major corporate sponsors,
The Mathis Family with KFC and now George and Lily Studnickey -
Creative Stage Lighting inc., have helped to make the transition from Children’s Musicals
to Broadway Shows.
As YOUTHEATRE's popularity grew, so did the number of
students in the program. Between 50 and 55 students
are accepted each year. In order to accommodate the growing membership and
audience, the performances moved to the newly renovated Lake George High School
Auditorium in 1991.
Nancy Armstrong came on as Music Director in
1993, the same year that YOUTHEATRE had its first of many Broadway
Coups. They were the very first to obtain the rights to the musical
Once On This Island. Since, they have had this honor with shows such
as Annie Warbucks, The Secret Garden, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Les
Miserable, last season Cats and this year’s Chorus Line. In 1998
Amity Luce Aurilio took over the job as YOUTHEATRE’s scenic
designer, and in 1999, after three years of holding the position of
Assistant Director, Kelly (Ecker) Fidopiastis became YOUTHEATRE”s
second Choreographer. Pam Granger became our Music Director.
Today YOUTHEATRE would not be possible without the incredible
staff. Fay Robinson has continued her musical genius on the piano
for the past 30 years. The newest addition last year was Laura Lee
Conti as Music Director. Kelly and Amity have continued on as
Choreographer and Scenic Designer. Lanni Luce West has taken
on the role of Assistant Director for the past ten seasons, and
Mickey Luce has continued as the Director.
Although much has changed in the
past 30 years, the idea never has. It is still a four week theatre
workshop during the month of July, for students ages 11-18. In
those four weeks, Youtheatre performs three major Broadway Musicals.
Performances are still at the Lake George High School Auditorium, but instead
of only parents and a few friends, the audiences are built from
family, friends, tourists, and of course YOUTHEATRE fans!
YOUTHEATRE is a tapestry of Music, Madness, Magic, Miracles, and
Memories. The mission is based on the value of learning and self
discovery. The organization strives to build self confidence and feelings of self
worth. Mickey says, "We hope that our players will develop an understanding that
personal growth comes from sharing their talents with others. Our
performers come from various communities but they all leave
Youtheatre with two very important things, lifetime friendships and
a love and respect for theatre." |
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Youtheatre's 2007 Summer Season |
A Chorus Line
Wednesday, July 18, 1:00 pm
Thursday, July 19 & Friday, July 20,9:30 am
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Wednesday, July 25, 1:00 pm
Thursday, July 2, & Friday, July 2, 9:30 am
The Wizard of Oz
Wednesday, Aug. 1, 1 pm
Thursday, Aug. 2 & Friday, Aug. 3, 9:30 am
Smokey Joe's Café
SPECIAL 30TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SHOW!
Performed by YOUTHEATRE alumni
Friday, Aug. 10 & Saturday, Aug. 11, 7:00 pm
Please call for more information!
Tickets are $8 and sold at
The Aviation Mall office (located in the food court)
The Lake George High School Auditorium Monday-Friday 9:00
am-3:30 pm during the Youtheatre season From any of our 55
members
At the door on the day of the performance |
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Youtheatre
10 Windy Hill Road, Glens Falls, NY 12801
518-793-3521
www.lgyoutheatre.com
Lgyoutheatre@aol.com |
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Read about past
Organizations of the Month |
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Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council
7 Lapham Place
Glens Falls, NY 12801
(518) 798-1144 • Fax: (518) 798-9122
information@larac.org
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