Theater is among the many pursuits offered by Mahtomedi Community Education. For grades six through twelve, the Zephyr Show Stoppers Club travels to performances throughout the Twin Cities. The Guthrie Theater, the Ordway, and Chanhassen Dinner Theatres are venues the club visited in past years. This fall, they are bringing a show to our campus for all to enjoy!
The Show Stoppers upcoming community event is a comedy improv event with ComedySportz. It will be held on Thursday, October 24 from 7-8:45pm at the Mahtomedi High School Chautauqua Fine Arts Center and is open to the public. Tickets are $20 and you can register here on Mahtomedi Eleyo. ComedySportz is an opportunity for the Mahtomedi community to enjoy what Show Stoppers Club experiences throughout the year.
In addition to planning this special event, the Show Stoppers Club has already attended a performance. On Thursday, September 19, Show Stoppers traveled to the Orpheum in Minneapolis for Back to the Future - the Musical. Show Stoppers provides transportation and a chaperone for students to enjoy theater first-hand. The Club’s success is connected to the commitment and partnership between Community Education and parent volunteer Erica Joy Whitson.
“I have always loved seeing theater productions and wanted to give my students an opportunity to see the wide range of theater experiences we have in the Twin Cities,” said Whitson, Show Stoppers advisor. Whitson also teaches at the University of Northwestern and runs Mahtomedi Community Education’s JOYful Noise music classes.
Bringing comedy to Mahtomedi High School was another example of their partnership, Whitson said, “I think improv theater is such a great experience for students so Stephanie Groff (Community Education Coordinator) and I decided to try and bring them to Mahtomedi and open it up to the community. They are always family-friendly shows which is also wonderful so that all ages can enjoy the fun experience.”
Show Stoppers Club has attended Hamilton, Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Hairspray, and A Christmas Carol. The Little Mermaid, Grease, and The Mousetrap are slated for later this year. “Often, students’ only exposure is a field trip every once in a while. And for families who do enjoy theater events, it’s expensive to bring an entire family. This Club allows students an amazing opportunity to go to different theaters and see a variety of productions from Broadway to a local theater.”