The Kids from Wisconsin are slated to return to Walworth on Friday, July 19 for a performance at Big Foot High School.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors older than 65 and K-12 students. They can be purchased at Daniel’s Sentry store in Walworth or the Big Foot High School office. For more information call 262-275-2116.
Kids From Wisconsin was established in 1968 by Douglas G. Weiford, secretary of the state Department of Local Affairs and Development, in keeping with Gov. Warren P. Knowles’ Youth Power Program.
In its 51st season, the group will have performed for about 10 million people across Wisconsin and the Midwest. The revue is produced in collaboration with some of the best writers, arrangers and choreographers across the country.
Since its organization in 1968 and first performance in 1969, the Kids from Wisconsin show troupe has performed at state and country fairs, festivals, national trade shows and conventions.
Their travels have taken them to many hometown stages as well as distinguished stages such as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee, Cobo Hall in Detroit, the Convention Center in Atlantic City, and the Canadian National Exhibition, which at the time was the world’s largest fair.
In the earlier days before artists hired their own opening acts, the Kids performed before the big-name artists, including Diana Ross and The Supremes, Guy Lombardo, Eddie Albert, James Darren, Liberace, Pat Boone, Roger Miller “King of the Road,” Sonny and Cher, Johnny Cash, John Davidson and many more.
The program remains a true professional experience and opportunity for growth both in leadership and as performers for the youth, which range in age from 15 to about 20. It is a privilege and honor for students to take part in the Kids iconic program after an intense audition process during the winter.
Troupe members not only perform to thousands over the summer, but are also trained to provide a hands-on performing arts workshop in many of the communities where they perform, helping to spread the love of performing to youth age 7 to 14.
Since 1969 there have been nearly 1,000 alumni that have been part of the Kids, with many going on to excel as performers, music educators, college professors, entertainers, choreographers and top professionals in a wide variety of fields.
Southeastern Wisconsin will be represented by the following young people who are spending the summer entertaining with the Kids:
- Zoe Gatz, a soprano who graduated from Elkhorn High School, performs musical theater and dances;
- Kathryn Schneider, Muskego, is working on her degree in choral music education;
- Nathan Schmidt graduated from Waterford Unified High School and is majoring in chemical engineering and trumpet performance;
- Meguire Hennes, Hubertus, has performed at Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall, Skylight Music Theater and Lyric Opera of Chicago singing, dancing, and playing the piano;
- Three young people in the Kids group are from Mayville: Jasmine Maller is a pianist with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra and the youth string chamber group. Holly Meyer is with the Kids for the third summer and she is studying vocal performance in college, and Catlyn Mahoney is an alto who sings in many school choirs;
- Madison Crenshaw, from Case High School in Racine, and Matthew Pakkebier, Kenosha, are both focusing on vocal music and musical theater.
For more information, call 262-363-7863.
