Well, hello there, Pen Pal! 🍁
I hope you’re doing well, staying cozy, and that life has been treating you kindly. Things have been absolutely hopping here at Wagon Wheel! Last weekend, we opened and closed our 34th Wagon Wheel Junior production, Trial of the Wicked Witch: The Musical, and what a triumph it was! The turnout was amazing, I got to meet so many new faces, reconnect with old friends, and the energy in the theater? Simply unmatched.
I’m feeling extra grateful for my friend, (and Wagon Wheel’s Managing Director) Jen Dow, who poured her heart into making our Not-So-Haunted Open House a complete success. Everyone had a spooktacular time, and it wouldn’t have been possible without her dedication.
Working with our Junior kids is always a privilege. People often ask me what it’s like behind the scenes with these Junior shows, and my answer never changes: it rejuvenates my soul. I get to work with some of the most talented, dedicated, and fearless young artists in our community. Their enthusiasm and courage inspire me at every rehearsal. Plus, connecting with their grown-ups and seeing how Wagon Wheel has impacted their lives, and how much they love giving back, is incredibly inspiring.
Okay, okay…I’m getting a little sentimental and mushy here. Let’s pivot. I want to try something new with this newsletter: a rapid-fire roundup of everything coming up at Wagon Wheel. There’s a lot happening, and I know your time is precious.
(OH! And stick around until the end because our Alumni of the Month is a fan favorite, and I know many people have been asking when she’d finally get the spotlight. Maybe you’re one of them…)
Up next at Wagon Wheel…
🍂 Conservatory workshops begin Monday and there is still time to register! For students in grades 2–12, this is a 5-day intensive workshop for those with energy, passion, talent, and courage. And the best part? Students will be working with my bestie Kira and our Artist in Residence, Abigail Storm! Click here to register. And even if you don’t have a student in the workshops, there will be a FREE presentation of their hard work next Friday, starting at 5:15 PM on the stage.
🍂 We are hosting our first ever intentionally family-focused Symphony of the Lakes concert on Saturday, November 15, at 2:00 PM. The theme? “Carnival of the Animals”. The activities? Face painting in the lobby and an interactive instrument petting zoo, where you can experience music like never before at Wagon Wheel. And listen up, Pen Pal, because free popcorn is involved. Click here to download a coloring page. Any student, ages 5–18, who brings a completed coloring page to the concert will receive FREE popcorn in exchange for having their artwork proudly displayed in our lobby during the run of Elf the Musical. Kinda cool, huh?
🍂 Our second annual Year-End Giving Gala, Great Performances, Greater Purpose, is happening on Thursday, December 11 at 7:00 PM. This is the one night each year when every “spoke of the Wheel” (Professional Theatre, Junior, Community Theatre, Conservatory, and Symphony of the Lakes) comes together for an evening of intentional generosity and giving. What’s new this year? We are hosting a 70th Anniversary Silent Auction in the lobby, featuring incredible archive pieces such as props, set designs, vintage playbills, and so much more. This gala is not only a celebration of everything Wagon Wheel represents, it’s also a night to share why your generosity sustains us as a nonprofit organization. Together, we make it possible for artists of all ages to dream, create, and shine on our stage, in our community, and all over the world.
🍂 Starting next Tuesday, individual tickets for our 2026 professional summer season go on sale! Now, let me be honest: yes, we both know it is better for your wallet to become a season subscriber than to purchase tickets for just a handful of shows that immediately catch your eye, but that’s not what I want to focus on. I want to share a fun fact about myself:
Every fall, I make a weekend trip to Manhattan to see a handful of Broadway shows. More specifically, I intentionally choose shows I know nothing about, with new titles and songs I’ve never heard. And surprise surprise, it’s always the highlight of my year! Even with the risk, even with the unfamiliarity, I take the chance and I’m always glad I do.
Why am I telling you this? Because I want to challenge you. That’s right! We are friends, so I’m challenging you.
- If you see a Wagon Wheel show title that is unfamiliar or does not immediately spark your interest, become a season subscriber.
- If you see a show you’ve heard of or have maybe even seen before, but never at Wagon Wheel, become a season subscriber, even if it wasn’t your favorite show when you saw it last.
- If you have seen a show at Wagon Wheel before and now have the chance to see it again with fresh eyes and a brand-new artistic vision, become a season subscriber.
Here’s the point: Being a season subscriber is not about seeing five shows you already know and love. In today’s modern age, with all the division, doomscrolling, and the million directions life pulls us in, being a season subscriber is about asking yourself:
“How blessed am I that I get to experience LIVE entertainment in my community? That I can set aside time for quality storytelling of the highest caliber and share this energy with a room full of real people?”
Live theatre is a relationship. You’re taking a chance on us, and we’re taking a chance on you. We do not promise perfection or that you will definitely see your new favorite show. But we do promise quality, meaningful storytelling and entertainment that deeply matters. A season subscription to Wagon Wheel is a journey we get to take together, five shows at a time.
That is what being a season subscriber at Wagon Wheel is all about. And honestly, I have yet to meet a current subscriber who doesn’t feel the same way.
*metaphorically steps off of soapbox*
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