Young Peoples Theatre
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WHAT IS YPT?
Founded
in 1977, the Young Peoples Theatre continues to serve the Kankakee River Valley
as an exciting outlet for its children’s creative expression.
This program was designed for children ages 6 – 16 years old and all of
us who are young at heart!
Working
on the concept that all kids love to perform, don colorful costumes, wear makeup
and have fun, a group of parents set up workshops that could involve the whole
family in YPT. From set-design to
dance, make-up to characters, these families began creating a new and
entertaining form of performance art in the area.
The
Great Cross Country Race was the
first YPT production back in February of 1978 followed that fall by The
Hobbit. The next year, this
volunteer group staged The Golden Goose
and, after a series of workshops on puppets, Alice
in Wonderland.
It,
at times, even amazed the Board how the seed planted in 1977 had grown with only
the love of families and of performing to nurture it.
The money was tight, as they made only enough to break even on each show.
In 1982 however, a grant from Mobil Chemical Company enabled YPT to stage
an ambitious project ... The Velveteen Rabbit, starring a cast of 65 children.
From that point on, the YPT never looked back and the plays kept getting
better and better. Winnie The Pooh
was delightful with the 34 animal characters.
In 1984, a cast of 80 brought Dr.
Doolittle to life. The
audience participated in singing “Talk To The Animals” along with the cast
for the finale.
Since
1985, the auditoriums at Lincoln Cultural Center and Kankakee Jr. High School
have been “home” to Young Peoples Theatre.
Twice a day on two consecutive days, we fill the auditorium performing
for thousands of this area’s school children.
In addition, there are two public performances for all, so that
relatives, friends and the general public can see the YPT kids in action under
the lights in the Kankakee River Valley’s largest theatrical facility.
It’s a thrill for all, performers and audiences alike.
And we keep our admission price at a minimum so that all can truly enjoy
the fun of the Young Peoples Theatre.
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1978
The
Great Cross-Country Race
The
Hobbit
1979
The
Golden Goose
Alice's
Adventures in Wonderland
1980
The
Princess and the Swineherd
Hansel
and Gretel
1981
The
Fabulous Fable Factory
1982
The
Velveteen Rabbit
1983
Winnie
The Pooh
1984
Doctor
Dolittle
1985
Charlotte's
Web
1986
The
Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
1987
Babes
in Toyland
1989
Three
Fairy Tales
The
Just So Letter
A
Tale of Sleeping Beauty
1990
Nobody
Loves A Dragon
Earthlings
1991
Hans
Christian Andersen
The
Stone in the Road
Twelve
Dancing Princesses
1992
Raggs
I
Won't Take A Bath
1993
The
Great Ghost Chase
1994
Aladdin
and His Wonderful, Magical Lamp
Robin
Hood
1995
Tom
Sawyer
Peter
Pan |
1996
Wagon
Wheels West
Pinocchio
1997
The
Velveteen Rabbit
Charlotte's
Web
1998
Ramona
Quimby
The
Spirit of Christmas
1999
Mother
Goose, Inc.
Hee
Haw Hayride
2000
Raggs
Stuart
Little
2001
Bugsy
Malone, Jr. Annie Jr.
2002
Alice
in Wonderland Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.
2003
The Hobbit Music Man, Jr. 2004 Yankee Doodle Dear Edwina, Jr. 2005 Jack and the Beanstalk Babes in Toyland 2006 Disney's Aladdin Jr. Narnia 2007 Honk! Jr. The Trial of Tom Sawyer 2008
Mulan Jr. 2009 Willy Wonka Jr.
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