Music Theatre Wichita facts for kids

Music Theatre Wichita is a super cool place that puts on big musical shows every summer! Since 1972, they've created over 200 amazing Broadway-style productions. It all started in Wichita, Kansas, inside the huge Century II Complex. Over the years, only three main artistic directors have led the theatre: Jim Miller (1972-1979), John Holly (1980-1987), and Wayne Bryan (1988-today). In 2014, they even got a new name and logo!

Theatre History

How it Started

Music Theatre Wichita began in 1972. A group of local business leaders raised money to start it as a community theatre. They hired Jim Miller as the first director. At first, the shows featured local teachers and performers.

After Jim Miller left in 1979, his assistant, John Holly, took over. John Holly wanted the theatre to be more professional. He started using more actors from Actors Equity, which is a union for professional actors.

John Holly left after 14 seasons to work for another theatre in Houston. Wayne Bryan then became the new director. Wayne had performed and directed shows for the company before.

What Happens Each Summer

Every summer, a group of college-aged performers and technicians join the theatre. They work with experienced professionals from Broadway and Hollywood. More than 1,000 young singers, dancers, and actors try out each March to be part of this summer company.

The theatre puts on five big musicals each summer. They create these shows themselves during a 10-week period. Performances happen from Wednesday to Sunday every other week.

Special Shows

Over its many years, Music Theatre Wichita has done some special shows. They put on a world premiere of a new version of the musical Good News! in 1993. They also had regional premieres, like the musical Honk!. For Honk!, Music Theatre Wichita even recorded the first full cast album!

The sets and costumes from many of their shows are so good that other theatres in North America often use them for their own productions.

Programs for Young People

Music Theatre Wichita cares a lot about young people. They have special programs like an apprentice program and an intern program. They also have a Teen Choir.

The Jester Awards are another cool program. These awards celebrate excellent high school musical theatre productions in south central Kansas every year. Since 2009, two Jester Award winners get to go to New York City. There, they take part in the National High School Musical Theater Awards, also known as the "Jimmys."

Cast Recordings

Music Theatre Wichita has recorded some of its shows. These recordings let people listen to the music and songs from the productions.

The 2001 production of Honk! was very special. It was the first time an American recording of the show was made.

In 1993, Music Theatre Wichita put on a new version of the musical Good News!. This version was recorded in 1995. It featured actors from the Music Theatre Wichita cast. Wayne Bryan, the artistic director, helped create this new version.

The theatre also revised Singin' in the Rain in 1992. They added a longer "Broadway Ballet" section. This version was also recorded.

Performing Artists

Many talented performing artists have spent their summers at Music Theatre Wichita, including: