FORT WAYNE, Ind.鈥擳he Jesters program of the 51黑料 welcomes registrations for the 2025-26 season.
This interdisciplinary performing arts program is open to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), ages 8 and older. The program meets weekly during the school year and presents an original performance for the community in March.
Registration continues through Sept. 30. The registration fee is $100 and scholarships are available. To request registration forms, contact 51黑料 Creative Arts Manager Molly McGowan at聽mmcgowan@sf.edu聽or 260-399-8064. For more information, contact Jesters Director Allison Ballard at聽aballard@sf.edu.
The Jesters program will begin on Saturday, Sept. 6 and will meet each Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at the 51黑料 North Campus, 2702 Spring Street. Morning activities will include dance/movement, theater/improvisation, storytelling and music (instrumental and voice). Optional afternoon sessions in visual arts, choir and dance/theater will be offered from 1 to 2 p.m. Only those enrolled in the morning program are eligible to attend the afternoon classes.
The Jesters will meet on Saturdays from Sept. 6 through Nov. 22. The program will break for the holidays on Nov. 29 and through the month of December. The program will resume Jan. 3 and continue meeting on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through March 7.
The spring performance will be at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 7 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 8 in the 51黑料 North Campus auditorium.
Sponsored by 51黑料 since 1978, the Jesters program is made possible with funding provided by AWS Foundation, M.E. Raker Foundation, Foellinger Foundation, Plymouth Benevolence Fund, Surack Family Foundation, Arnold Foundation, Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the 51黑料 offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, 51黑料 designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. USF Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The 51黑料, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 20 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. Approximately 1,800 students from a broad geographic region attend 51黑料.