Program History
SAY Theater Through the Years
2020 - Present
2024 Season Programming
2024 Musicals
- The Lightning Thief, The Percy Jackson Musical (March 7 – 10)
- Produced with a live band at the Forest Roberts Theatre
- Junie B. Jones, The Musical JR (July 25 – 28)
- Produced at Kaufman Auditorium
- Disney’s Finding Nemo JR (Nov 7 – 10)
- 8th grade and under production at the Forest Roberts Theatre
2024 Play Series
- William Shakespeare’s Two Gentlemen of Verona (April 18 – 20)
- Featuring 7th through 12th grades, performed at the Masonic Center Red Room
- The Reluctant Dragon (May 17 – 19)
- Featuring 6th grade and under, performed at the Masonic Center Red Room
- 2024 Youth Playwriting Project – Anne of Green Gables (June 7 – 9)
2024 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette and Ishpeming (June – August)
2023 Season Programming
2023 Musicals
- Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (March 9 – 12)
- Produced with a live orchestra at the Forest Roberts Theatre
- HONK! JR (Aug 8 – 20)
- Produced at Lake Superior Theatre
- Annie, JR (Nov 9 – 12)
- 8th grade and under production at the Forest Roberts Theatre
2023 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette and Negaunee (June – August)
2022 Season Programming
2022 Musicals
- Seussical (March 3 – 6)
- Produced with a live orchestra at the Forest Roberts Theatre
- Disney’s My Son Pinocchio JR (Aug 9 – 21)
- Produced at Lake Superior Theatre
- Madagascar: A Musical Adventure (Nov 10 – 13)
- 8th grade and under production at the Forest Roberts Theatre
2022 Camps & Workshops
Hosted a Tech & Design Workshop Series, and Tech Olympics
Hosted Summer Theater Camps in Marquette (June – August)
2021 Season Programming
2021 Live Productions
- All the World’s a Stage (Aug 3 – 7)
- 8th grade – 12th grade production at Lake Superior Theatre
- Storybook Cabaret (Aug 10 – 15)
- 7th grade and under production at Lake Superior Theatre
- Disney’s Descendants: The Musical (Nov 4 – 7)
- 8th grade and under production at the Forest Roberts Theatre
Animation Series – Streamed on Broadwayworld.com
- More Than a Match by Aaron Shepard
- Piglet by Brian Armstrong
- Lady Washington by Tyler Dwiggins
Special Programs
- Happiness is Homemade by Quinn Xavier Hernandez (Streamed on YouTube)
- Virtual Choir Part II
- Youth Artists in Action Club
2021 Camps & Workshops
Hosted a Tech & Design Workshop Series
2020 Season Programming
2020 Musical
- Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (Feb 27 – March 1)
- Produced with a live orchestra at the Forest Roberts Theatre
Animation Series – Streamed on Broadwayworld.com
- More Than a Match by Aaron Shepard
- Piglet by Brian Armstrong
- Lady Washington by Tyler Dwiggins
Special Programs
Produced digital programming—The Ghostlight Series—during the COVID-19 shutdown:
- Planned Touring Production of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon converted to a youth-produced animation show
- Cold Readings Series
- Answers From the Field
- Dance Series
- Co-Produced the Peter White Public Library COVID-19 Safety Video
- Produced the Musical Medley Video streamed on Facebook
View all Ghostlight activities
2010 - 2019
2019 Season Programming
2019 Musicals
- Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical (March 7 – 10)
- Produced with a live orchestra at the Forest Roberts Theatre
- Legally Blonde the Musical Jr. (July 16 – 20)
- Produced at the Forest Roberts Theatre as part of the North Coast Theatre and Dance Festival
- Into the Woods Jr. (July 30 – Aug 10)
- Produced at Lake Superior Theater
- Disney’s Frozen Jr. (Nov 21 – 24)
- 8th grade and under production at the Forest Roberts Theatre
2019 Play Series
Produced at the James A. Panowski Black Box Theatre and Forest Roberts Theatre:
- Hansel and Gretel
- William Shakespeare’s As You Like It
- The Brave Little Tailor
2019 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (June – August)
2018 Season Programming
2018 Musicals
- Disney’s Peter Pan (March 15 – 18)
- Produced with a live orchestra at the Forest Roberts Theatre
- High School Musical Jr. (July 31 – Aug 4)
- Produced at Lake Superior Theater
- Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. (Nov 15 – 18)
- 8th grade and under production at the Forest Roberts Theatre
2018 Play Series
Produced at the James A. Panowski Black Box Theatre and Forest Roberts Theatre:
- Charlotte’s Web
- William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
2018 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (June – August)
2017 Season Programming
2017 Musicals
- Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (March 3 – 5)
- Produced with a live orchestra at the Kaufman Auditorium
- Kids Sing Broadway (May 11 – 13)
- Produced at the James A. Panowski Black Box
- Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. (Aug 1 – 12)
- Produced at Lake Superior Theatre
- Shrek JR. (Nov 16-19)
- 8th Grade and under production at the Forest Roberts Theatre
2017 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (June – August)
2016 Season Programming
2016 Musicals
- The Wizard of Oz (March 4 – 6)
- Produced with a live orchestra at the Kaufman Auditorium
- Superior Arts Youth Theater Cabaret (May 11 – 13)
- Student Directed and produced at the James A. Panowski Black Box
- Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach Jr. (July 20 – 31)
- Produced at Lake Superior Theatre
- Disney’s The Lion King Jr. (Nov 18 – 20)
- 8th Grade and under production at the Forest Roberts Theatre
Special Programs
Artist in Residency program with Marquette Area Public Schools – 5th Grade
2016 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (June)
2015 Season Programming
2015 Musicals
- Disney’s Mary Poppins
- Produced with a live orchestra at the Forest Roberts Theatre
- Kids Sing Broadway
- Produced at Kaufman Auditorium
- Once On This Island Jr.
- Produced at Lake Superior Theatre
- Disney’s Aladdin Jr.
- 8th Grade and under production at Kaufman Auditorium
Special Programs
Artist in Residency program with Marquette Area Public Schools – 5th Grade
2015 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2014 Season Programming
2014 Musicals
- Seussical Jr.
- Produced with a live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
- Kids Sing Broadway
- Produced at Kaufman Auditorium
- Narnia
- Produced at Lake Superior Theatre
- The Music Man Jr.
- 8th Grade and under production at Kaufman Auditorium
Special Programs
Artist in Residency program with Marquette Area Public Schools – 5th Grade
2014 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2013 Season Programming
2013 Musicals
- Disney’s The Little Mermaid
- Produced with a live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
- Kids Sing Broadway
- Produced at Kaufman Auditorium
- Honk! JR
- Produced at Lake Superior Theatre
Special Programs
Youth field trip to see Disney’s The Lion King tour in Appleton, WI
Produced original youth written production A Man Named Marquette in cooperation with the Marquette Beautification Committee
- Performed at Kaufman Auditorium in the spring for schools and the public
- Produced in the 2013 summer season at Lake Superior Theater.
2013 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2012 Season Programming
2012 Productions
- Annie Jr.
- Produced at Kaufman Auditorium – First production as Lake Superior Youth Theater
- The Mouse That Roared
- Produced at Lake Superior Theater
2012 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2011 Season Programming
2011 Productions
- Alice in Wonderland
- Produced with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
- Willy Wonka Jr.
- Produced at Lake Superior Theater
2011 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2010 Season Programming
2010 Productions
- Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
- Produced with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
- Kids Sing Broadway
- Produced at Kaufman Auditorium
-
A Home for Me
- Developed, workshopped, and produced original production
2010 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2001 - 2009
2009 Season Programming
2009 Productions
- Once Upon A Mattress Jr.
- Produced with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
- The Orphan Train
- Produced in collaboration with Teaching Family Homes
2009 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2008 Season Programming
2008 Productions
- Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
- Produced with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
- You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown
- Produced with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
2008 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2007 Season Programming
2007 Productions
- Disney’s High School Musical
- Produced with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
- Kids Sing Broadway
- Produced at Kaufman Auditorium
2007 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2006 Season Programming
2006 Productions
- Disney’s Aladdin Jr.
- Produced with live orchestra at Forest Roberts Theatre
- Into the Woods Jr.
- Produced at Lake Superior Theater
2006 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2005 Season Programming
2005 Productions
- Kids Sing Broadway
- Produced at the Masonic Building Red Room
- A Christmas Carol
- Honk! JR
- Produced at Lake Superior Theater
2005 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2004 Season Programming
2004 Productions
- Kids Sing Broadway
- Produced at the Peter White Public Library Community Room
- Dear Edwina, Jr.
- Produced at Lake Superior Theater
- Seussical the Musical
- Produced at the Forest Roberts Theatre
2004 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2003 Season Programming
2003 Productions
- Kids Sing Broadway
- Produced at the Peter White Public Library Community Room
- Once On This Island, Jr.
- Produced at the Presque Isle Bandshell
- Oliver
- Produced with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
2003 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2002 Season Programming
2002 Productions
- Kids Sing Broadway
- Produced at the Peter White Public Library Community Room
- Schoolhouse Rock, Jr.
- Produced at the Presque Isle Bandshell
- Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
- Produced with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
2002 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
2001 Season Programming
2001 Productions
- Annie Jr.
- Produced with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium – First production in organization history.
2001 Camps & Workshops
Hosted Arts Camps in Marquette (July)
Our Story
1992 – 2000 The Early Years
Superior Arts Youth Theater has been part of the Marquette community for over 20 years. Beginning as a civic enrichment program through the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, Reatha Tweedie, former Director of Arts and Culture for the City of Marquette, recognized the need for a youth performing arts program.
In the early 2000s, Tweedie worked with a Northern Michigan University intern, Nikke Nason (Soni), to establish the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center Youth Theatre and mounted a production of Annie, Jr. during its inaugural season in 2001. Nason was then hired by the City of Marquette in 2002 to lead and develop the youth theater program as the Arts Education Director. The program remained part of the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center and continued to grow under the direction of Nason.
Organizational Investments During This Era
1992
- The City of Marquette hires Arts & Culture Coordinator as a contracted position.
1995
- The Arts & Culture Coordinator position becomes full-time with the creation of the Arts and Culture Department.
1996 – 2000
- Creation of Arts Department and development of Arts and Culture Center at Peter White Public Library.
2000
- The City of Marquette hires employees to assist in running the Arts Department, including Nikke Nason, then a student at Northern Michigan University, who forms the Marquette Arts and Culture Center Youth Theatre as a senior project.
2011 – 2015 A New Era
In September 2011, the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Department restructured, eliminating the staff and administration needed to retain the youth theater program. Community members expressed concern over the potential loss of theater education opportunities for local youth and, at the request of the City of Marquette, Lake Superior Theatre — a regional summer theater — became an umbrella organization for the youth theater.
In 2015, the youth theater was formed into an independent organization, Superior Arts Youth Theater (SAY Theater) and was granted 501 (c) 3 status. A full-time Executive Artistic Director, Nikke Soni (née Nason), was hired with a part-time Administrative Assistant, Jalina McClain (née Olgren) hired to assist with finances and other administrative duties. An accounting firm was also obtained for payroll and tax services.
Organizational Investments During This Era
2011
- Lake Superior Theatre becomes an umbrella organization for the youth theatre program at the request of the City of Marquette. Name changed to Lake Superior Youth Theatre.
2013
- A full-time Executive Artistic Director, Nikke Nason, is hired to oversee the youth theater and Lake Superior Theater.
2014
- Over $20,000 in sound equipment is purchased to be shared with Lake Superior Theatre through fundraising efforts and a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
2015
- The youth theater forms an independent organization, Superior Arts Youth Theater, and granted 501 (c) 3 status.
- A full-time Executive Artistic Director, Nikke Nason, is hired.
- A part-time administrative assistant, Jalina McClain (Olgren) is hired to assist with finances and other administrative duties.
- An accounting firm is obtained for payroll and tax services.
2016 – 2023 Continued Growth
In 2016, the highly successful Dollars for Drama Fundraising Campaign exceeded its $10,000 goal. Jalina McClain was promoted to Managing Director and a part-time Artistic Director, Dave Dagenais was hired to replace Nikke Soni after 15 successful years of leadership.
In 2017, the youth theater transitioned into being run by a full-time Executive Director & Producer, Jalina McClain. Susan Candey was also hired as a part-time Administrative Assistant as Dave Dagenais left the organization. SAY Theater purchased $14,000 worth of technical equipment for use by students and staff with grants awarded by the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Best Buy Foundation, Kiwanis of Marquette, and the Marquette Community Foundation, with additional support from River Valley Bank (now known as Incredible Bank).
During 2020 and 2021, SAY Theater successfully pivoted to virtual programming. This included producing youth-led animation projects, cold reading series, and various online collaborations. In late 2021 and early 2022, SAY Theater was able to return to live onstage programming and resume regular activities.
Organizational Investments During This Era
2016
- Dollars for Drama Fundraising Campaign exceeds $10,000 goal.
- The youth theater hires a full-time Managing Director, Jalina McClain (Olgren)
- A part-time Artistic Director, Dave Dagenais in July 2016 to replace Nikke Soni (Nason) as she leaves the organization.
2017
- The youth theater transitions into being run by full-time Executive Director & Producer, Jalina McClain.
- A part-time Administrative Assistant, Susan Candey, as Dave Dagenais leaves the organization.
- Superior Arts Youth Theater purchases $14,000 worth of technical equipment for use by students and staff with grants from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Best Buy Foundation, Kiwanis of Marquette, and the Marquette Community Foundation, with additional support from River Valley Bank.
2019
- The part-time Administrative Assistant position expanded to 20 hours per week.
- March 20-23, 2019 Executive Director, Jalina McClain, and Administrative Assistant, Susan Candey, travel to Louisville, KY to attend the USITT19 Conference & Stage Expo and the Humana Festival at Actors Theatre. This trip was made possible through a professional development grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
2020 – 2022
- During the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, SAY Theater pivots their usual in-person programs to virtual activities.
- Youth-Driven arts projects including Animation, Virtual Choirs, and other arts enrichment programming further the SAY Theater mission during uncertain times.
SAY Theater Now
2024 marked a leadership transition with Becky Heldt joining the organization as the new full-time Executive Director & Producer as Jalina McClain left after seven successful years. Sara Parks also joined the organization as the new Artistic Director, originally a part-time position that was moved to a full-time role in January 2024 with Board approval.
“Normal is a Myth” was the theme for the 2024 season, featuring the return of the Play Series, a new annual Youth Playwriting Project, and more youth-driven programming initiatives.
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