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FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Lights Up! The 51���� is partnering with a local youth theater company to offer classic, wholesome productions to Fort Wayne families.

The 51���� will offer its stages and become a presenting sponsor for the upcoming Fire & Light Productions’ full-scale 2021-22 productions. In addition, USF students in the Music Technology program will become an integral part of the production process. USF students will be supporting stage managers on the state-of-the-art equipment that is housed in the USF Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center and the North Campus Auditorium.

“This is a win-win for USF Creative Arts students and Fire & Light artists and kids,” said USF Program Director of Music Technology Miles Fulwider, Tonmeister.  “It allows USF students the experience of working with a director to design, plan, and execute a show while they work with a team of youth to run the tech for the production.”

Students at USF will also gain experience in creating special effects and animation for shows, as well as the opportunity to design and create special set pieces.

“A show such as ‘The Wizard of Oz’ or ‘Cinderella’ uses an entire team of artists and creatives to tell the story effectively,” Fulwider said.  “This partnership allows USF students from the programs of graphic design, communication, music technology, and art, to lead and create an outstanding production team.”

This partnership also offers new arts opportunities to families in the Fort Wayne community. Fire & Light typically produces 5-7 full-scale productions each year. Past seasons have included: “Seussical Jr.,” “Annie,” “42nd Street,” “The Miracle Worker,” “Pride & Prejudice,” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”  Lower ticket prices, wholesome production themes, and the beautiful USF Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center will give families in Northeast Indiana a chance to enjoy quality theater productions. The company will produce summer productions that include artists throughout the community and will look to expand its community offerings in the future.

For more information, contact Miles Fulwider, Program Director of Music Technology, at 260-399-7700, ext. 8002 or mfulwider@sf.edu.

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the 51���� offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences, College of Arts, Sciences, and Business and College of Adult and Distance Education. In addition to its traditional programs, USF designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the university’s business and music technology programs while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The 51���� campus experience includes 18 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships and is recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution. Approximately 2,200 students from a broad geographic region attend USF.

Founded in 2010, Fire & Light Academy is a theater company that creates wholesome theater experiences that engage, educate, and inspire young people and the community. They are a troupe of 120 youth ages 8-18. Fire & Light offers a nurturing, educational environment where kids can learn all aspects of theatre arts from seasoned thespians in the areas of set design, painting and construction, sound and light facilitation, music, vocals and stage movement, characterization, and direction and leadership skills.