There’s nothing like community theatre. It brings friends and family together to see stories come to life on stage, as well as the opportunity to experience the highs and lows of human emotion with those you’re attending with. For the actors, it’s a chance to create something magical together that is more impactful than any one performer can be alone. Bringing both elements together in Halfpenny Theatre’s first summer musical on July 10-12, Into the Woods, is proof that community theatre, at its heart, is truly about the community.
We at Halfpenny Theatre have been rehearsing this show every weeknight and Saturday morning since late May, a significant time commitment for all cast members. Family members have donated time to watch small children during rehearsals so the parents can perform without distractions. Adults with busy lives have taken time off work to help build the set and spend days hunting down props and costumes. High school students have juggled their time between multiple shows, their schedules being filled almost completely with dedication to the performing arts. And I’ve personally experienced grace and understanding in my rehearsals, as a chronically ill man doing my best to take the stage with the restrictions my illness enforces.
Halfpenny is run by Sandra Millet, the show’s director, who won the UHSAA Theatre Educator of the Year in 2024 for her exceptional work as American Leadership Academy’s drama teacher. Her family has been instrumental in this show’s production, providing choreography, vocal direction, administrative support, and taking on acting roles to make sure this performance of Into the Woods is the best it can be. Together, they are aided by assistant director Elisabeth Blevins, who has been invaluable in providing direction to the cast as well as helping manage the show’s various committees. In a cast of twenty-three performers, 10 people come from two immediate families, and another three are part of the director’s family—so when we say this is a family show, we mean it in every sense.
Our cast is proud of our efforts, not only for this memorable performance, but because we are honored to be part of supporting Halfpenny Theatre.
Halfpenny is a nonprofit organization whose primary focus is community theatre education with an emphasis on youth theatre. We’re delighted to bring theatre to more people, providing opportunities for children and adults to develop existing talents as well as find new ones.
To purchase tickets to our adult cast of Into the Woods (or for the following week’s performance of Into the Woods JR.), or for more information on how to become part of the Halfpenny Theatre community, visit our website at halfpennyyouththeatre.org
By Noah Blevins
