NORTH WEBSTER - While the Wagon Wheel Theatre will have a production of "High School Musical" this summer, the Northern Indiana Area Drama Troupe will be putting on the sequel.
And any student in grades pre-kindergarten to high school senior can audition. Director Wende Roberts said they are especially looking for upper middle school and high school students.
The last audition is Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at "Son"shine Preschool, 5587 Ind. 13, North Webster, across from Maria's. No appointment is necessary. For more information, or to schedule an audition at a different date and time, call 574-834-7335. The preschool is Roberts' place of business.
"High School Musical 2" is being produced by the drama troupe in conjunction with the Syracuse Community Center. Weather permitting, the show will be performed five times at Lakeside Park, Syracuse.
"I really wanted to do an outside show," Roberts said. If the show is successful, she said they hope to do a show annually.
One of the sponsors for the show is Provident Studios. "That is very exciting," Roberts said.
They are always looking for volunteers who want to make a positive difference in a child's life, she said. Anyone wanting to volunteer can call Roberts.
Rehearsals will start Monday and tentatively be from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at "Son"shine Preschool Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Performances will be July 17-19 at Lakeside Park, with times to be determined.
A WWT season ticket holder, Roberts said she loves to see musicals come alive on the stage. The production of the show will be a positive thing for kids so they can stay out of trouble, too, she said.
There are 15 main roles in the show and ensemble roles. "There's plenty of parts to go around," she said. "What's nice about 'High School Musical' is you can add parts to the ensemble.
"It's a wonderful opportunity for kids to get involved in musical theater," she said. "It gives them experience when they go to audition for their school play. They get to meet new people. With acting, those who have a passion for it take whatever role they can."Roberts graduated from Wawasee High School and from Grace College with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. After teaching in public schools for four years, she said she felt the Lord leading her to open a Christian preschool with her mother, Phyllis Roberts, a 36-year Wawasee teacher. Their preschool has been opened now for six years.
