December 16, 2024, Press Release from the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts: Findlay, OH, December 16, 2024–Marathon Center for the Performing Arts is holding auditions for Youtheatre’s upcoming winter production of The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition. Auditions are open to students in grades 3-5 including an on-stage cast of no more than 50 students in addition to positions on the production’s technical crew. Join Dorothy and her loyal companion Toto as they “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz, determined to reach the Emerald City, where the great and powerful Wizard of Oz will help them get home. Of course, along the way, Dorothy encounters witches (both good and bad), Munchkins, talking trees and winged monkeys.

November 13, 2024, Press Release from Lima City Schools: Lima Senior High School’s Act Too Drama Club will present the play “Clue, High School Edition” at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, and Saturday, Nov. 23, in the school’s Joe Henderson Auditorium. “Clue” is based on the iconic 1985 Paramount film of the same name, which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game. It is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery.

November 13, 2024, Press Release from Shawnee High School: The Shawnee Drama Department is excited to present "The Little Shop of Horrors" on Friday, November 22nd & Saturday, November 23rd starting at 7 PM, and November 24th starting at 3 PM in the High School Auditorium. Pre-sale tickets are available at the Shawnee High School East Office, Door N1, for $10. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Several area community members are getting ready for an original play written by a local resident! Inside the St. Marys Grand Opera House, cast members were quickly changing costumes, running their lines, and going through the motions for the upcoming play "The Ditchmen: The Play, The Sequel." This play follows the fictional bigfoot-like creature from the original play performed in the St. Marys bicentennial celebration and introduces three new fictional creatures including the legendary Hoedag of Grand Lake. This play is based off the four books written by local author and former teacher, Joe Ginter, and on Tuesday evening, we talked with him about what inspired him to do this.

An associate professor from Ohio State-Main Campus traveled to Lima on Monday to train community members on how to help people with autism through theatre. The training is part of the Shakespeare and Autism Project. On Monday, Ohio State Associate Professor and Artist Laureate, Kevin McClatchy, trained attendees ways to help people on the autism spectrum through the concepts of Shakespearian theatre. The Shakespearian-inspired games and exercises completed on Monday showed attendees how theatre can be used to strengthen communication and emotional skills and allow for positive growth for people on the autism spectrum.

August 1, 2024, Press Release from Ohio Northern University: ADA, Ohio - Ohio Northern University will hold children’s auditions for its annual “Holiday Spectacular” musical extravaganza. Auditions for children between the ages of 5 and 12 will take place from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 in the Freed Center for The Performing Arts, 500 W. College Ave., Ada. Those auditioning should be ready to participate in a dance call (jazz and/or tap shoes). No prepared dance or vocal solos will be accepted.

The Bath Drama Club is getting ready to present their first-ever play that opens Saturday night! Drama club students at Bath High School hosted a dress rehearsal Friday evening for their families performing "The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet." The play utilizes a comedic approach to the William Shakespeare's classic "Romeo and Juliet" through an integration of the whimsical literary styles by Dr. Seuss where the story of the Shakespearian characters are conveyed through funny jokes. Even though the play is a fun-filled journey of the retelling of Romeo and Juliet's romance, the theater setting helped teach students involved critical life skills.