Roger Edmonds, SLCT Board member and director of Horton Hears a Who presents a check for $1,000 to Jim Fountain and Shawnna Marquis, staff members of Perry High School’s performing arts program.
Andrea Hummel
Sun Lake residents who attend and enjoy the productions the Sun Lakes Community Theatre presents may not know some of the additional missions of the group. Sun Lakes Community Theatre is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The first part of the mission of Sun Lakes Community Theatre (SLCT) is “providing live theatre produced by residents of all phases of the Sun Lakes communities.”
Local residents enjoyed What the Bellhop Saw the summer show, Murder at the Tropicabana, the mystery dinner theater, and Murder at the Howard Johnson’s, the fall main stage show. On December 5, following the Golf Cart Parade, attendees were treated to a preview performance of Horton Hears a Who, the Dr. Seuss play that will be touring the Chandler area schools this year. That show supports the second part of SLCT’s mission statement, “…providing specialized productions for targeted audiences, such as the children’s plays performed at area grade schools.”
There is also a huge amount of satisfaction for those involved in the children’s show.
“I’m loving it,” commented Chris Roen, a new addition to the Horton effort. “There’s so much going on!”
SLCT’s mission statement also includes “…creating educational opportunities for residents to develop and enhance relevant skills.” This goal is accomplished by providing classes and workshops for SLCT members in auditioning, directing, set building, etc. The SLCT-supported improv group, The ImproVables, began as a class in improvisation. Three years later the group is still going strong.
Lastly, and perhaps least known, “…SLCT supports the development of live theater in the surrounding community.”
Periodically the performing Arts Department of one of the five area high schools is invited to attend the monthly meeting of SLCT. This gives the students a chance to practice what they’re working on in front of a very appreciative live audience and it gives SLCT a chance to present the group a generous check to support activities not covered in the school budget, such as travelling to competitions. The amount donated depends on the current balance in the SLCT treasury.
In December the group was able to donate $1,000 to the Perry High School Performing Arts department.