If you could see what I see….
Right here in your community: squeals of delight and gasps of awe happen daily in the myriad rooms and stages at WCT — coming from actors and audiences alike! From four-year-olds shrieking in delight at a rack of costumes and lights to spotlight them, to the whoops of joy from teen actors at the end of opening night. Recognizing that all their dedicated, hard work and sacrifice has paid off. The sighs, laughter and applause of audiences add a satisfying and important final touch to experiences that WCT youth actors have while they journey through this world of performing arts.
“Sometimes people feel not just shy, but shy about their selves, like they need to be somebody else to matter. But here you can be yourself and not have to pretend to be something you’re not.” — WCT youth actor, age 9.
“WCT allows kids to be themselves and gives them a chance to be heard. Here everyone is different and we all love that and support that.” — WCT youth actor, age 13.
Almost 35 years after it was founded by Martha Murphy in her back yard, Whidbey Children’s Theater still rings with these truths, holding steadfast to its mission: to create opportunities for young people to discover themselves, through the creative process.
WCT doesn’t just produce plays and musicals. WCT programs build artists, public speakers, team players, collaborators, inventors, and compassionate, hard-working people. Theater might be the best environment to teach people these lessons, and now, while public schools are struggling for funding and finding themselves shifting to a more standardized core curriculum, the need seems greater than ever.
Last season, WCT served over 1,000 young people, awarded financial aid to 38 percent of our production participants, and saw enrollment of new-to-WCT students up to record numbers. We are working with our local schools to provide performing arts opportunities, soliciting grant support to supplement our program funding and our 57-year-old facility (and all the maintenance/repairs that go with it), and rising to meet the demands of our youth population for more opportunities to participate in these creative arts.
But more than that, we have work to do to meet the needs of our community of children. Over the past 34 years, WCT has been a home-away-from-home for literally thousands of children. As we move in to our 35th year, we will continue to develop our program and create new avenues of artistic experience: Theater for Young Audiences, performing arts programs for the elementary and high schools, an expanded program for our teens, theater skill-building classes, and more. Because we have heard time and again the important role this program has played in the lives of this community’s young people.
This Saturday, we host our annual spring community fundraising event, Artapalooza. I hope you’ll join us for Act I, our afternoon Garden Party at Fireseed Catering on Coles Road – enjoy some refreshments, meet the amazing children that make this program special, and see what we’ll be doing next season (and how young eyes light up at the prospect of new roles and challenges.) If you’re interested in attending Act II, our Gala Dinner and Auction that same night, please give us a call to inquire about seating.
We cannot do what we do without donor support. If you believe in the value of performing arts for young people, then act now. We understand that donors have many compelling programs to choose from when they look at where to make their contributions. You can become a maker of magic when you make a contribution to Whidbey Children’s Theater. Please visit our brand new website www.wctmagic.org, call 360-221-8707 for personal assistance or, best yet, stop by for a visit!
CAIT CASSÉE
executive director
