Conway’s Theatre of the Republic is Expanding for Young Performers!
Exciting news is brewing in downtown Conway as the Theatre of the Republic, nestled right on Main Street, is making some bold plans to expand its children’s program. This beloved local theater is eyeing a brand-new building across the street to give kids even more opportunities to shine on stage and learn about the incredible world of performing arts.
Big Plans Ahead!
The theatre’s team is hoping to secure the green light from the city’s Community Appearance Board on Wednesday, December 11, to approve new wording on the windows and doors at their future location at 408 Main St. This expansion comes on the heels of remarkable growth in their youth programs over the past 10 to 15 years, as noted by Darla Gore, the theatre’s marketing manager. “Our youth groups have been growing by leaps and bounds!” she exclaimed.
Theatre of the Republic (TOR) wants to collaborate with local schools to enhance their offerings, which could include voice lessons, dance, instrumentals, and acting classes. They’re even planning to bring on more talented instructors specialized in vocals, dance styles, and various instruments like guitar, violin, and keyboard—all based on community requests! How cool is that?
What’s Coming Up?
Mark your calendars, folks! The youth show schedule kicks off in March with the much-anticipated performance of “Anastasia” running from March 13-16. But that’s not all! Theatre of the Republic is pulling out all the stops this year. They have lined up other productions like “Rock of Ages” on March 29-30, “Heathers The Musical” in July, and “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” coming this November.
The young stars in the making will be from ages 8 to 17, ensuring that kids of all skill levels can participate. Plus, there’s a special teens group for performers aged 13 to 19 that will dive into more mature shows. Best of all? Everyone who auditions will get a part!
A Day for Young Dreamers
To kick things off, the theatre is hosting an open house for school children on January 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This will be a fantastic opportunity for kids to meet instructors, enjoy some tasty refreshments, and explore the classrooms. There will even be mini-sessions for kids to participate in during mock dance classes. Talk about an inspiring day!
A Community Effort
Funding for this ambitious expansion is primarily provided by a grant from the S.C. Arts Foundation. Tim McGhee, the theatre’s executive artistic director, is optimistic that the expanded program will not only enhance the kids’ experience but also spark a greater interest in live arts throughout the community. “We hope some of these youngsters will come back as adults and contribute to our theatre,” he said.
Join the Experience!
With so many opportunities on the horizon, the theatre is on the lookout for a music director, choreographer, and stage manager for their upcoming shows. They are also in need of some wonderful adult choreographers to guide afterschool and weekend classes.
For those interested in joining the program or finding out more, tickets can be snagged online or at the box office, which is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Don’t forget that gift certificates make great stocking stuffers too!
For further details about the program, visit their website at coastalyouththeatre.com or give the box office a call at (843) 488-0821. Get ready, Conway—it’s time to support our young stars and let them dazzle us on stage!
