After 23 successful years in Andover, the final curtain closed for Merrimack Junior Theatre last year. Founder and West Elementary School music teacher Josie Walker made that call as she was about to start a new life chapter as a grandmother.
Well, MJT is back - sort of. Three former MJT board members are teaming with Andover Youth Services using MJT supplies to form "Theatre Works!"
With a first production booked for mid-November and auditions happening in September, the local community theater stage promises to be busy next fall.
"There's plenty of room," said Chris Christoforo, a former MJT board member, who has formed the group with Kathy Abisso and Nancy Vogler. "The interest is there. And, we know what a great experience MJT was for kids."
MJT costumes and sets were given to AYS. As they say on Broadway, the show must go on - and it will.
"What Josie Walker did was give lots of kids opportunities to get involved in theater," both on stage and behind the stage, said Bill Fahey, AYS director. "Any time you see something like that, if there's a way to keep something good like that going in a community, you want to do it.
"We have the model," he said. "Obviously, it's not going to be [exactly] the same because she was the legend that did it."
AYS theater buffs will mentor younger actors. The initial program will be for actors in grades four to eight, just as MJT was. Internships will be available for students in grades nine to 12 interested in working in other aspects of theater arts or in support of the program.
"We are thrilled. AYS has a great energy," said Christoforo, whose two daughters were in MJT and who has been involved in South Church productions for years. "Andover values community theater so we are very excited about this."
Theatre Works! will look to spread the word about its troupe in the next few months. The drama group is kicking off its program with a create-a-logo contest. The winner will earn $100 (see box). Then, it will be time for auditions and a premier production, the name of which is even being kept from Fahey at this point, until details are nailed down, he said.
"It's going to be a great experience for kids," Christoforo said.
Attention ANDOVER ARTISTS
Want a chance to win $100? Enter the Andover Youth Services Theatre Works! Create-a-Logo Contest. The logo should have the name of the theater - AYS Andover Theatre Works! It must be legible, crisp, appropriate for all ages and unique.
Entries and contact information should be sent to Andover Youth Services, 37 Pearson St., Andover, MA 01810, Attn.: Theatre Works! or send an email in PDF format to aystheatreworks@gmail.com.
Deadline is Friday, Feb 10. The winner will be announced Friday, Feb. 17.
