Prominent Youth Theatre Company Launches Another Exciting Season

 

There'll be no lack of high quality musical theatre productions in Regina in 2009 – 2010.

Regina's own Do It With Class Young People's Theatre company is putting on an full season of 4 amazing productions, targeted at all ages.

 

The company saw incredible growth in its audience numbers and ticket sales in 2008-09.  Between 800 and 3600 tickets were sold for each production; nearly 9,000 people took in Do It With Class (DWIC) productions last year.

 

DIWC artistic director Andorlie Hillstrom puts the growth down to the company's move to the Conexus Arts Centre, and to the growing awareness of the talent of the company's performers.

 

“The young people performing in these productions have been training and performing for years.  They are highly skilled individuals, many of the graduates of this theatre company have gone on to become professional performers. Once you have seen a production put on by these young people you can't help but want to see another,” Hillstrom said.

 

The unique youth musical theatre and drama company is made up of 74 youth ranging in age from nine to to 19. It is the only youth theatre company of its kind in Canada.

 

This year's season line up includes:

 

• Hair – October 27, 28. DIWC is  bringing this amazing musical back on the 40^th anniversary of the original production. As the first Rock musical ever, Hair opened in 1968 to mass popularity, ran for five years and was seen by more than four million people. Join us as we stage it for hundreds more!

 

• As You Like It – November 24, 25 - A favorite among audiences, As You Like It is one of William Shakespeare's great comedies.  Come and see why!

 

• The Wind in the Willows -  January 28, 29 - A classic story beloved by young and old alike, the musical adaption of the Wind in The Willows brings all of the well-loved characters to life.  It's a production that will both fascinate and warm the hearts of audience members.

 

• The Wiz  February 24, 25 - A “funky” version of the much loved Wizard of Oz, it was the only “musical” movie in which Micheal Jackson ever performed!  A production not to be missed!

 

 

“This promises to be a very exciting year for both performers and audience members.  The productions we've chosen will provide performers with material that will showcase their significant talents,” said Hillstrom.

 

As part of the season, the company is running a special school matinée series.  Matinée productions will run at 1 p.m. on the same day as evening performances.  More than 500 southern Saskatchewan schools, as well as all Regina senior citizens homes and youth programs have been encouraged to take in one or all of these performances.

 

Do It With Class provides talented south Saskatchewan youth with performance opportunities and training in a range of performance arts, including dance, voice, drama, and musical theatre production.  Many graduates of the company have gone on to become professional performers.

 

The youth theatre company was formed in 1992-93 by artistic director, Andorlie Hillstrom, Past productions performed by members of the Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre company include: Les Miserables, Willy Wonka, Into the Woods, The Rocky Horror Show, Titanic, the Little Prince, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, Cats and more.

 

 

For more information contact:

 

Bernie Tice

Production Manager,

Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre

(306) 591-2259