A celebration of music and young talent will be showcased in Fayette and Westmoreland counties.
“Encore,” the Fayette event, will feature musical numbers from several high school theater groups all under one roof for the first time.
“Encore” will be staged at 1 and 6 pm May 5 at the State Theater Center for the Arts in Uniontown. Participating districts include Albert Gallatin, Brownsville, Geibel, Laurel Highlands, Uniontown and Southmoreland. Southmoreland district covers both Fayette and Westmoreland counties.
Westmoreland’s Night of the Stars is scheduled 6:45 pm May 1 at The Palace Theater in Westmoreland. Mt. Pleasant musical stars will be performing.
Directed by John Wagner, “Encore” is the first of its kind in the county.
“We have seen that surrounding counties were doing some,” Wagner said.
“We have been trying to set up a program like this in Fayette County for some time because the students here don’t have that opportunity to take part.”
Wagner said all nine Fayette school districts were contacted.
Shawn Conway, Southmoreland musical director, said both he and his students are thrilled to be given the chance to take to the stage one more time to perform songs from their spring musical “Mamma Mia.”
“Everyone puts so much work and time into a musical that gets four audiences to appreciate it, which feels like a waste sometimes,” Conway said, adding 18 students from his cast will be preforming.
“It’s fantastic that the folks on Main Street were able to do this to help give these kids one more chance at a standing ovation.”
Wagner said each school will be given a time slot and they can do one number or a melody of songs.
“It’s their choice,” Wagner said.
In addition to the individual schools, Wagner said a committee from the theater attended each of the schools’ musicals and selected four students from each school who will perform together at the beginning of the show and again at the end of the show where they will be joined by all of the students from all of the schools for one big finale number.
The students will all be dressed in matching T-shirts that bring a uniformity to the production.
“We don’t want all the costumes and we want to strip away the scenic elements and just focus on them. Focus on their work,” Wagner said, adding it’s a great way for the students to enjoy each other’s dedication to the arts.
“This is a wonderful way for them to be able to celebrate each other’s work,” Wagner said.
“Encore” will be made possible by the Catalyst for Change Grant, Wagner said.
“We are the very first ones to receive this grant and we are very pleased and excited,” Wagner said.
In addition to the show, Fayette County Cultural Trust will be awarding Achievement in the Arts Awards that will be presented during the 1 pm staging of “Encore.”
Wagner said positive feedback and support have been given for the project.
“This is a celebration of talent that exists in our county,” Wagner said. “There is so much talent here and these students deserve the support of our community.”
