You asked, we listened!
Announcing an additional “Pay-What-You-Can-Show” on July 21 @ 2:00 P.M.
Come to the box office beginning at 1:30 P.M. and join us for this phenomenal show!
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You asked, we listened!
Announcing an additional “Pay-What-You-Can-Show” on July 21 @ 2:00 P.M.
Come to the box office beginning at 1:30 P.M. and join us for this phenomenal show!
The 2018 Kudzu Playhouse scholarship winners each have already accomplished some impressive achievements, and they have only just graduated from high school. Ireland Little, the Jim Anderson Legacy Scholarship winner, and Riley Young, the Kudzu Playhouse Heritage Scholarship winner, are both 2018 graduates of Hernando High School.
“Both of these winners have a deep-rooted love for theatre and have dedicated much of their youth to helping cultivate the performing arts in our community,” said Daniel Mullins, Kudzu Playhouse Board Member. “Kudzu Playhouse is proud to support both of these talented young people as they pursue their dreams.”
Ireland Little – Jim Anderson Legacy Scholarship Winner
The Jim Anderson Legacy Scholarship Award is dedicated in honor of a longtime supporter of the arts in DeSoto County, and specifically Kudzu Playhouse. The award recognizes a student who understands the importance of maintaining and supporting arts programs in our community and schools and has demonstrated a commitment to preserving and promoting these programs through participation in a variety of live performance activities.
The daughter of Scott and Erin Little, Ireland has exceeded those criteria remarkably. With over 25 performance and crew credits with Kudzu Playhouse alone and over 14 with Hernando High School, her dedication to the arts and arts instruction is overwhelming. Her academic achievements are equally as impressive. Little was named Valedictorian of Hernando High School’s class of 2018. She plans to attend the University of Southern Mississippi and major in biological sciences.
“Arts programs in communities and schools have given people the opportunity to find a home away from home,” said Little in her scholarship essay. “They are necessary in the world we live in. People deserve to have a platform to express themselves and their views. Moreover, maybe one day in the near future, another little girl will decide to do a summer camp…and be changed forever.”
Riley Young – Kudzu Playhouse Heritage Scholarship Winner
The Kudzu Playhouse Heritage Scholarship Award recognizes a student whose participation in the arts has affected significant personal growth in areas such as performance skills, technical skills, public speaking, self-confidence, esteem, or an appreciation of literature and the performing arts.
The son of Andy and Heather Young, Riley has surpassed the requirements for this award to an inspiring degree. With over 22 Kudzu Playhouse performance, crew and service credits alone, nine Hernando High School shows, and more than 20 with Panola Playhouse, his career is already quite prolific, and he’s just getting started. Young was recently named Outstanding Lead Actor at the Orpheum High School Musical Theatre Awards and will be traveling to New York City in June to compete at the national level.(1) He will also portray the title role in Kudzu Playhouse’s summer production of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Young’s academic achievements are just as impressive as his theatrical accomplishments. An honor graduate of Hernando High School’s class of 2018, he plans to attend the University of Memphis and major in musical theatre.
“Before beginning theatre nine years ago, I barely recognized that any part of myself was built to perform in any form or fashion,” said Young in his scholarship essay. “Now I know that I wasn’t meant for anything but the stage.”
While the primary criteria for both awards are involvement in Kudzu Playhouse productions, fundraising, and promotion, students are also evaluated on other accomplishments or activities including non-Kudzu theater/performance experience, academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
(1) Riley Young was named one of eight Finalists at the 2018 Jimmy Awards in New York City, selected from 40 talented young performers from around the country.
Show dates & times:
July 13 @ 7pm
July 14 @ 2pm & 7pm
July 15 @ 2pm
July 20 @ 7pm
July 21 @ 2pm & 7pm
July 22 @ 2pm
Tickets:
$12 seniors/students/children
$17 adults
This show is rated PG.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a powerful musical based on the Victor Hugo novel and featuring the music of the Disney animated film. This version of the story embraces the darker elements of the original Hugo novel. Quasimodo, a tragically disfigured but warm-hearted young man is cared for by the oppressive Archdeacon Claude Frollo of the Notre Dame Cathedral. Frollo’s loathing of the less fortunate of Paris places him in conflict when he meets the enchanting gypsy dancer Esmeralda and the valiant captain Phoebus as all of their fates and paths cross in 15th century Paris. To further complicate matters, Esmeralda is the first person to show Quasimodo true compassion and the two are forced to battle for a more humane world against both church and society. The show poses the question, “What makes a monster and what makes a man?” and explores what it means to be truly good.
Mother’s Day Flash Sale. Hurry! Save on summer camp registration and have more money to pamper Mom! Two days only – get $25 off when you register for our “Honk Jr.” summer camp.
Mother’s Day Flash Sale is available beginning Friday, May 11 at 4 p.m. and will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 13. Use the code “flashsale” at checkout.
Kudzu Playhouse’s 2018 Dinner Theatre was a smashing success! Many thanks to everyone who came and enjoyed the show, we owe all it to you! We are also very grateful to Sweetpea’s Table for catering and providing the venue. The food was excellent!
Please stay tuned to our Facebook page and website for announcements on our next dinner theatre, and join our mailing list to be the first to know about our season announcements, special events and educational workshops.
Kudzu Playhouse has two remaining shows for the 2018 Season – The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Madagascar – A Musical Adventure. Join us next at the Hernando Performing Arts Center for Hunchback, July 13 – 22, 2018. Help us ring the bells of Notre Dame by becoming a show or season sponsor!
Kudzu Playhouse is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring performing arts to the community by showcasing talented actors and actresses of all ages in an open and encouraging environment, while also nurturing and developing young future performers, regardless of gender, race or socioeconomic background.