Waukon’s Wolfpack Theater Company will present their fall musical “Guys and Dolls” Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 26-29, at the Waukon Town Theater. The musical will feature updated choreography and staging, a unique spin on a classic title. (submitted photo)
The Wolfpack Theater Company is currently rehearsing for their fall musical, “Guys and Dolls” performed Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 26-29, on the Waukon Town Theater stage.
The show choice was a consensus, as the legacy and senior Wolfpack kids decided to do the classic musical. They had previously performed three contemporary titles with “Beauty and the Beast,” “Rent” and “Grease” and wanted to push themselves by performing a beloved classic while making it their own, adding updated and more immersive choreography and staging.
This family-friendly performance will be a unique and creative take on the classic, a troupe gift to attendees and “Guys and Dolls” enthusiasts. Tickets will be free will donation. Follow the Wolfpack Theater Company Facebook page for updates and details.
The Wolfpack Theater Company was created when Adam Hooten and his son Ethan saw a need for something other than sports-related activities for kids in their area. Hooten stated, “Growing up in a small town definitely has its benefits, and one is having strong programming and support for athletics. Unfortunately, the same mostly cannot be said about the fine arts and especially musical theater. Opportunity is lacking in this area at a majority of our local area schools. That’s where we stepped in and created the very opportunity that was lacking in my community, the Wolfpack Theater Company!”
The Wolfpack Theater Company is made up of a group of kids wanting to be a part of something bigger than themselves. An all-inclusive, community-based organization that puts on musical productions and performances, they have been performing for two years. The participants have input on which shows they perform, and the group has already begun preparations for a 2024 summer performance of “Mamma Mia!”
“We have had 50 plus 10-23 year old youth actors and actresses involved in our program over these shows and many local charity variety shows. The Wolfpack members come from all local area schools, including Waukon, Postville, Monona, Lansing, Decorah, Prairie Du Chein, University of Northern Iowa and the University of Iowa. We use the ticket proceeds from our shows to take an end-of -the-year team Wolfpack trip to see a professional show. We went to see ‘Hamilton’ in Des Moines our first year and to ‘Jersey Boys’ at Chanhassen, Minn., the next year. I am heavily involved in local performing arts, speech and music associations in the state, so it is really fun to work with so many youths in the area and watch them grow,” Hooten explained.
Many of the Wolfpack’s cast go on to participate in next-level theater in college, and some have even come back to the area to cameo on stage with the troupe. Hooten commented, “I focus on building each of the kids’ own leadership skills and teach them the importance of giving back to their communities, participants get to see how cool the performing arts can really be and gain a lifelong appreciation for theater.”
According to the founders, everyone is welcome in the Wolfpack. “I wanted to provide an opportunity to kids that don’t have one and help bridge the gap between athletics and theater. I say that there is absolutely no reason a student shouldn’t be able to catch a touchdown pass on Friday and perform live on stage on Saturday, and the Wolfpack Theater Company allows them the chance to do just that,” Hooten added.
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