In addition to all the wonderful theater productions you are about to read about, we are gearing up for our fall classes and workshops including weaving, mosaics, dance, show choir, voice, piano, drums, strings, digital arts and so much more.

Remember to come by and see the beautiful exhibit of works by Dr. Vincent Keesee in our Vereen Gallery before it’s gone! It is a treat for the eyes! Come see us today at the Colquitt County Arts Center where creativity finds community.

The Colquitt County Arts Center Theater has a long standing tradition of offering quality live theater opportunities and performances for our community. Nothing quite boosts a child’s self-esteem like looking out from a stage and seeing a full house of family and friends applauding their efforts. Applause is one of the greatest forms of praise and we celebrate each and every one of the children, and adults, who take that brave step of putting themselves out there in live theater performances.

Not only is it fun to get into costume, sing songs and dance, but children also learn how to live in community together throughout a production. They learn that being a part of group collaboration is bigger than oneself. They learn that they have to take responsibility for their own part -small or large- and do their very best for the good of the whole. They learn that everyone is different, with different gifts and abilities, but when we put our gifts and abilities all together we can do amazing things!

We are excited to announce that our Youth Theater has grown to the point that we made the decision to create an additional age group and production! This fall we will divide the Youth Theater into Middle/Jr High (6th-9th grades) with a production of The Lion King, JR and Senior High (10th-12th) with a production of Junie B. Jones. There are several opportunities in the coming weeks for adults and children to step onto that stage and experience being a part of live theater. We do hope to see you there!

COMMUNITY THEATER

Monday, August 21st we will hold auditions for BROADWAY BOUND  by Neil Simon. Part three of Neil Simon’s acclaimed autobiographical trilogy finds Eugene and his older brother Stanley trying to break into the world of show business as professional comedy writers while coping with their parents break-up and eventual divorce. When their material is broadcast on the radio for the first time, the family is upset to hear a thinly-veiled portrait of themselves played for laughs. Auditions will be held 6:30-8:30 PM and Performances will be November 10th-12th.

CHILDREN’S THEATER

Open to Kindergarten-5th Graders auditions for A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD will be Thursday, August 24th from 5:30-7:00 PM in the East Dance Studio (near the office). Waking from hibernation in the spring, Frog and Toad plant gardens, swim, rake leaves, go sledding and learn life lessons along the way. The two best friends celebrate and rejoice in the differences that make them unique and special. Part vaudeville, part make-believe… all charm, A Year with Frog and Toad tells the story of a friendship that endures throughout the seasons. Performance dates are Saturday, October 14th 7 PM and Sunday, October 15th 2 PM and 7 PM. A production fee of $30 per cast member covers show T Shirt, Script, Music CD, and Costumes and is payable at auditions. Every child that auditions will be included in the production.

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH THEATER

Our Senior High Youth Theater made up of students in 10th-12th Grades will present JUNIE B. JONES. Its Junie B.’s first day of first grade, and a lot of things have changed for her: Junie’s friend, Lucille, doesn’t want to be her best pal anymore and, on the bus, Junie B. makes friends with Herb, the new kid at school. Also, Junie has trouble reading the blackboard and her teacher, Mr. Scary, thinks she may need glasses. Throw in a friendly cafeteria lady, a kickball tournament and a “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal,” and first grade has never been more exciting. Featuring a tremendously loveable character and fun-filled songs, Junie B. Jones will capture your audience members’ hearts just as the books captivated an entire generation of students. Auditions will be Thursday, August 31st 6:30-8:00 in the West Dance Studio (near the music wing). School Performances will be offered Thursday, October 26th & Friday October 27th and Public Performances will be Saturday, October 28th at 7 PM & Sunday, October 29th at 2 PM. A production Fee of $30 per cast member covers show T Shirt, Script, Music CD, and Costumes.

MIDDLE/JUNIOR HIGH YOUTH THEATER

Our Middle/Junior High Youth Theater will hold auditions for THE LION KING, JR. on Thursday, September 7th in the East Dance Studio (near the office) from 6:00-7:30 PM. Rafiki gathers the animals of the Pridelands to welcome the newborn cub of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi. The king’s jealous brother, Scar, skips the ceremony, upsetting Mufasa. Enacting a plan, Scar leaves Young Simba alone in the gorge and signals the hyenas to scare a herd of wildebeest. Scar alerts Mufasa, who leaps into the stampede to save his son. Mufasa rescues Young Simba, but Scar pushes his brother back into the gorge, where he is trampled. Scar blames Young Simba for the king’s death and tells him to run away and never return.  Scar assumes the throne, uniting lions and hyenas under his dark reign. Lost in the desert, Young Simba meets Timon and Pumbaa, who take him to their “worry-free” jungle home. Under Scar’s reign, the Pridelands are nearly destroyed. Now grown, Nala decides to leave and seek help. To her delight, she finds Simba alive in the jungle. Nala urges him to take his rightful place as king but, still ashamed, Simba refuses. Rafiki appears and helps Simba remember his father. With newfound courage, Simba agrees to return to the Pridelands. Timon and Pumbaa distract the hyenas while Nala rallies the lionesses. Simba confronts his uncle, the truth of Mufasa’s murder is revealed and Scar runs away, pursued by angry hyenas. With peace restored in the Pridelands, Simba takes his place as king and the circle of life continues. School Performances will be offered November 16th & 17th and public performances will be November 18th & 19th.  A production Fee of $30 per cast member covers show T Shirt, Script, Music CD, and Costumes and is payable at auditions. All students that audition will be included in the production.

FAMILY THEATER: A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Based on the novel by Charles Dickens adapted by C.C. Ford

Auditions will be Monday, October 23rd with one Performance on Thursday, December 7th. All ages are encouraged to participate in the delightful holiday tale of how one man finds the true Christmas Spirit. No production fee applies.