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Good morning, Wichita!
Today is the definition of a deep-dive. We go deep on MTW.
There's also a list of upcoming events at the bottom you won't want to miss.
In today's Wichita Life Update
Let's get to it!
- Landon Huslig
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Music Theatre Wichita
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Wichita is home to multiple different performing arts organizations. They are each incredible in their own right, but it can be confusing which is what and what is who.
There are organizations like Broadway Wichita that bring in and host traveling productions like Hamilton or Lion King.
There are others like Roxy's, Mosley Street Melodrama, or even Old Cowtown (and a full list of other performing arts orgs here).
Another one that stands out is Music Theatre Wichita, which is the topic of today's deep dive.
So, what is Music Theatre Wichita?
What is Music Theatre Wichita?
โMusic Theatre Wichita or MTWichita exists to "advance the musical theatre art form by educating and nurturing creators, artists, and audiences, primarily through the production of Broadway-caliber shows."
It was founded in 1972 and MTWichita self-produces 5 Broadway-scale musical productions each year including everything from costumes to sets and more.
This is a top-notch production where young professionals are hired each summer in exchange for employment, training and connections (the network of MTWichita alumni is widespread and can be found in nearly every Broadway musical and national tour).
MTWichita brings in ~65,000 visitors to Wichita and about half of the $5 million annual budget is funded by ticket sales. The rest comes from corporate, private, and foundation donors or renting out the incredible costumes and sets (like from the upcoming CATS production).
How many people are involved and what does the organization look like?
If you've never been to a Broadway show or even a traveling Broadway show, you might ask:
What does "Broadway-scale" actually mean?
Over the summer, MTWichita employee 210 seasonal workers to build costumes, craft set pieces, manage the stage, direct, choreograph, build props, design, direct, and perform.
The different departments / aspects of production and performance include carpentry, welding, props, costumes wardrobe, paint, lighting, sound, administrative, education, production, hair and makeup.
The giant props? They are all made in house. It's insane to see the scale in person.
Actors
Most of the actors primarily come from out of state, and they have a Resident Ensemble composed of talented individuals from some of the top Music Theatre Programs across the country. To select the cast members, they conduct an annual audition tour with stops in major cities such as NYC, Chicago, OKC, and Wichita. This year, our auditions resulted in:
In addition to the out-of-town talent, they also feature some local Wichitans who have become company favorites. These include Roye Moye III, Karen and Tim Robu, Steve Hitchcock, Monte Wheeler, Katie Banks-Todd, Jenny Mitchell, and Injoy Fountain.
What does a day in the life of the team look like?
What makes Music Theatre Wichita special or different from other productions in town?
Music Theatre Wichita is a world class caliber theatre that employs local talent, upcoming performers, and Broadway veterans. The company has a national reputation as a major stepping stone to Broadway. It also has a robust and growing education department that cultivates young talent and encourages development in the art form. It is a gem of the Midwest.
Music Theatre Wichita is special due to its long-standing legacy, commitment to professional-level productions, diverse range of shows, educational programs, community engagement, and accessibility efforts. It attracts top talent, enjoys strong community support, and continually innovates in the world of musical theater, making it a cherished institution in the performing arts community.
How to get involved
You can get involved in a number of ways (outside of just buying tickets to enjoy a show). There are a number of classes or camps for kids or adults. A few examples include:
MTWichita Shows
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The final show starts tonight at 7:30pm and this season will come to a close after this weekend. The last production is the classic musical Cats. I personally have never seen it, but I have seen behind the scenes as well as dropped in on practice and it is a sight to behold. It makes you appreciate it that much more when you know everything that goes into a single production.
โGet your tickets here!โ
2024
2024 is a big year for MTWichita. Check out the list of upcoming shows here:
St. Jude Dream Home
There is only ONE WEEK left to win the home of your dreams aka the St. Jude Dream Home.
Thatโs right, for only 1 low payment of $100, you could win a dream home.
Before we get too far, you can buy your ticket here:
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Quick Event Rundown
That's it for today! We hope you enjoyed this deep dive.
Thanks!
- Landon
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