Vashon Youth Theatre will hold its first fundraiser with two performances of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award-winning musical “Company,” directed by Elizabeth Ripley and slated for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Vashon High School theater.
Ripley, also a teacher, performer and producer, believes in the power of theater to support — even change — the lives of young people.
Last year, she established Vashon Youth Theatre (VYT), formerly known as the Drama Dock Youth Theatre Initiative, under which she directed a number of well-received youth productions such as “Grease,” “Into the Woods,” “Cats” and “Godspell.” Now, when she selects a play or musical to produce, she makes sure it fits the mission of VYT — a theater arts training program for young thespians, ages 11 to 25, designed to benefit youth through theater.
Last July, VYT produced “Carrie: The Musical,” a show that raises awareness about bullying. “Company” brings to light real-life issues of adult relationships, and in the summer, VYT will produce “Rent” in response to the recent uptick of HIV cases in college students on the East Coast.
“We educate in all aspects of the theater and in all aspects of life through the theater we do,” Ripley said. “It’s about having a conversation. A lot of kids need to be invited into the conversation. They need to be invited in as this is their world.”
Ripley said VYT is also concerned with giving artistic students a chance to develop their own expression and a place where they feel they belong.
Miles Wingett, who will play the role of Paul, said VYT has been an important part of his life.
“If I’m not in a show, I don’t know what to do with my life,” Wingett said. “I’d rather be in the theater working on shows any day.”
Liz Shepherd, whose twins Ellie and Isaac Hughes have performed under Ripley in numerous shows, said their experience has “been such a great and important part of their growing up years.”
“Elizabeth has really nurtured their talents,” Shepherd said. “I think the most important part (is) that she has made sure the shows are successful not only for the kids in the cast but for the audiences as well. It’s one thing to be in a show. To be in a really good show is an accomplishment that I don’t think my kids will ever forget.”
Another goal for Ripley is to choose a show that combines youth and adults. The 22-member cast for “Company” includes Karl Marx Reyes, a soloist with Seattle Opera, in the lead role of Bobby. Other island adult actors, singers and theater arts college graduates include Rebecca Whitman, Mark Nassutti, Janice Randall, Shannon Mahan, Joe Farmer, Mary Kay Rauma, Ryan Alumbaugh, Bryanna Savelesky and Madelaine Ripley.
Youth actors and musicians include Ellie Huges, Miles Wingett, Alexis Carleton, Maijah Sanson-Freh, Xavier Ajeto, Isaac Hughes, Brandon Branch, Owen Teachout, Marisol Marinez, Callie Wong and Talia Roybal.
Ripley noted that Vashon has strong organizations like VARSA and Vashon Youth & Family Services that are dedicated to helping island youth, but she hopes folks will recognize the need to assist the artistic youth in particular and the arts in general.
“It’s important to support the arts on the island,” Ripley said. “We don’t need to go off-island to get our entertainment. We are culturally rich, but none of us can survive if people don’t come out. Let’s see if we can help kids who are artistic find their place.”
Tickets bought in advance are $15 or $5 for youth and seniors. At the door, tickets will be $20 and $5.
Tickets are sold at Vashon Bookshop.
