Wagon Wheel Theatre Celebrates 20 Years Of 'Gifts' To Local Schools
Posted
Staff Report-
The holiday season is synonymous with “Peace on Earth” and “Goodwill to All Men.” Many local businesses and charities in the community, including the Wagon Wheel Theatre, do their part this time of year in spreading holiday cheer. Back in 1992, “A Hometown Christmas” became the first of now 20 Wagon Wheel holiday productions. That year, then owner Bruce Shaffner, decided to extend a unique opportunity for area schoolchildren: offering holiday matinees at a drastically reduced price, including free admission for all sixth-graders attending Warsaw schools. That tradition is still in effect today as students attend this year’s holiday production of “Oliver!” For Shaffner, that idea was born out of necessity and gave his company an opportunity to give back. “We knew that many of our local children would never have an opportunity to experience live theater and considering the incredible value arts plays in educational development, it was an easy decision,” he said. Initially, only Kosciusko County schools were involved. However (even before the onset of social media) the concept went viral, so to speak. Currently, the Wagon Wheel hosts nearly 30 schools from Northern Indiana as far west as Winamac and as far east as Auburn, schools separated by more than 100 miles. “When you consider that neither Fort Wayne nor South Bend have professional theaters,” said Will Dawson, Wagon Wheel Theatre director of operations, “it makes sense that this field trip is so well received. Throw in this unique venue of theater-in-the-round and the consistent production quality of our staff, and you understand their enthusiasm. It’s that excitement we see on their faces combined with our desire to build an audience from this younger generation that solidifies our resolve. Cost will not be a factor.” Tickets are $6 for school matinees, which compares to an average of $18 per student ticket for the public performances. However, more than 600 local sixth-graders annually attend free of charge. If each of the nearly 4,000 students paid regular price, the total bill would climb upward of $70,000. Considering the cost of production and overhead combined with the subsidization of tickets, the Wagon Wheel practically breaks even presenting the school matinees. Note that the Wagon Wheel Theatre is now a not-for-profit organization and still views this opportunity as an educational and community outreach. It amounts to – not “peace on earth” – but “goodwill to all participating students.” The final school performance is today, while three public performances remain: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office at 574-267-8041 or by visiting the website at wagonwheeltheatre.org
