WaCPAC preparing to stage 'Willy Wonka Jr.'
The cast for the upcoming WaCPAC production of "Willie Wonka Jr." includes Melia Brown, left, Jamen Godek, Dane Kuzma, Jackson Doretich, Emma Manchigiah, Haakon Moninger, Mason Workman and Hayley Sleek. Performances will run June 16-17 and 23-25 at Fisher Auditorium in Wooster.
The Wayne County Performing Arts Council will present its second show of the season, “Willy Wonka Jr.,” June 16-17 and 23-25 at Fisher Auditorium, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster.
According to Music Director Maggie Leatherman, "Willy Wonka Jr." will tell the story of Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory and a lifetime supply of candy.
Leatherman, a WaCPAC board member from 1997-2015, has been involved in many WaCPAC shows as a cast member, tech, directing and backstage.
Director Olivia Sleek performed in "Willy Wonka" while attending Wooster High School a few years ago. She said it was a lot of fun and would give opportunities to many different ages of kids to be involved. "Willy Wonka Jr." will feature close to 60 cast members ranging from fourth grade to 12th grade from local Wayne County schools. While there are some first-time performers, many have been participants in the WaCPAC summer shows.
Sleek explained her experience with opening night. "Waiting for the lights to come on and the curtain to open to reveal the audience and everyone who came to support us, it was always such a unique experience feeling those jitters, and I still have them when I’m watching from the audience hoping the show goes off without a hitch,” she said.
Sleek started with WaCPAC during its first summer youth musical, “Alice in Wonderland,” in 2015. The following summer she was asked to help student-direct “Beauty and the Beast,” and since graduating from high school, she has helped direct all but one show and had the opportunity to direct "Willy Wonka" as the artistic director.
"While directing can be pretty hectic, it has really helped me become more decisive and become a better leader," she said. "I felt like the past few years I’ve been training for this opportunity by being an assistant director, but there is so much more that goes into it than I even realized.
"I also love watching the kids grow, not only as their characters but as individuals. It's pretty interesting because some of the older cast members and I were in shows together when they were really young, and it’s been such a blessing watching them grow up every year. My younger sister and I have done these shows together since the very beginning, and it’s very bittersweet that her last youth musical is my first one directing."
Showtime will be 7 p.m. except for the June 25 show, which will start at 2 p.m. General admission reserved seats are $12 each with family four-packs available for $40. The price is $12 per seat. Concessions will be available at intermission. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.wacpac.org/willy-wonka-tickets/.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, WaCPAC always needs volunteers for tech, backstage, costumes and more. Fill out the contact form at www.wacpac.org.