MEDIA & NEWS COVERAGE
2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Walla Walla Summer Theater Presents: Little Shop of Horrors at Gesa Power House Theater
Walla Walla, WA – The Walla Walla Summer Theater is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated production of the cult classic, "Little Shop of Horrors", taking the stage from August 7th to August 17th, 2025, at the historic Gesa Power House Theater.
Directed by WWST Executive Artistic Director Tyson Kaup, with music direction by NYC’s Mitchell Brownell and choreography by Justine Clark of WW Dance Co., this production promises a fresh and exciting twist on the beloved musical that has captivated audiences worldwide. Former WWST Director Brad Willcuts takes on the role of the hapless Seymour Krelborn, while Director Tyson Kaup lends his vocals to the iconic and menacing plant, Audrey II.
Audiences can look forward to immersing themselves in a tale of love, ambition, and unexpected consequences, as Seymour, a down-and-out florist shop worker, discovers a mysterious plant with a sinister penchant for human blood. Set to a toe-tapping score blending rock, Motown, and doo-wop, "Little Shop of Horrors" delivers thrills and laughter for theater-goers of all ages.
Tickets are limited and priced at $45. They can be purchased through the official Gesa Power House Theater website. Given the anticipated high demand, theater enthusiasts are encouraged to secure their seats early to ensure they don't miss out on what promises to be a memorable theatrical experience.
The Walla Walla Summer Theater team is also excited to announce upcoming auditions for "Little Shop of Horrors", scheduled to be held in person from February 28th to March 1. Interested individuals should visit the Walla Walla Summer Theater website for audition details and to register.
Seize the opportunity to witness this captivating production and join us for an unforgettable evening of entertainment brought to you by Walla Walla Summer Theater, the valley’s premier professional theater company.
This production is licensed by Music Theatre International.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Tyson Kaup
Executive Artistic Director
Walla Walla Summer Theater
Email: tyson@wallawallasummertheater.org
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About Walla Walla Summer Theater:
The Walla Walla Summer Theater is dedicated to transforming the Fort Walla Walla Amphitheater into a nationally recognized regional theater, while enhancing the cultural identity of Walla Walla through locally produced performing arts events and accessible educational opportunities.
APPLE VALLEY NEWS
Walla Walla Summer Theater Receives Wildhorse Foundation Grant to Expand Educational Programming Capacity
[Walla Walla, May 24, 2024] - Walla Walla Summer Theater (WWST), a prominent institution dedicated to enhancing the cultural identity of Walla Walla through locally produced performing arts events and accessible educational opportunities, is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a generous grant from The Wildhorse Foundation. The grant, specifically earmarked to expand the theater's educational programming capacity, will allow Walla Walla Summer Theater to further enhance the transformative experiences it offers to its community.
The Wildhorse Foundation, renowned for its unwavering commitment to supporting arts and culture initiatives, continuously strives to improve the lives of individuals through creative expressions. Walla Walla Summer Theater's success in securing this grant is a testament to the theater's significant impact and dedication to nurturing talent, enriching lives, and fostering a love for the performing arts.
WWST currently operates in a small, 360 sq ft classroom, which can only seat 24 people, resulting in a maximum class size of 12 students. The generous gift from The Wildhorse Foundation, will support a move into a larger space previously used by the Dance Center of Walla Walla. This transition will not only allow for a significant increase in capacity but could potentially cater to up to 325 students per term. The classes and camps offered will cover a wide range of skills, including performance arts like singing and dancing, as well as technical aspects such as costuming and design. Additionally, the new space will have the flexibility to accommodate guest artists and student showcases, further enhancing the overall experience and accessibility.
"We are immensely grateful to The Wildhorse Foundation for their remarkable generosity and belief in our mission to inspire and educate through theater," said Tyson Kaup, Executive Artistic Director of Walla Walla Summer Theater. "This grant allows us to take a significant step forward in our endeavor to create inclusive and transformative educational opportunities. With the expanded programming, we aim to cultivate creativity, confidence, and personal growth in all our participants."
The Wildhorse Foundation's grant will undoubtedly have a profound impact on Walla Walla Summer Theater and the communities it serves. The theater's commitment to excellence combined with the foundation's support will further establish Walla Walla Summer Theater as a beacon of artistic growth and educational empowerment.
For more information about Walla Walla Summer Theater and its upcoming educational programs, please visit www.wallawallasummertheater.org or contact Executive Artistic Director, Tyson Kaup, at tyson@wallawallasummertheater.org.
About Walla Walla Summer Theater:
Walla Walla Summer Theater is dedicated to providing exceptional theatrical experiences to the Walla Walla community and beyond. Walla Walla Summer Theater has consistently showcased outstanding talent, while also nurturing the next generation of performers through its reputable educational programs.
About The Wildhorse Foundation:
The Wildhorse Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the vitality of communities by focusing on arts and culture, education, health and human services, and community betterment. Through its generous grants, the foundation aims to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of individuals and organizations within its communities.
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Media Contacts:
Tyson Kaup
Executive Artistic Director
info@wallawallasummertheater.org
Wildhorse Foundation Administrator
46510 Wildhorse Blvd • Pendleton, Oregon 97801
Toll-Free: 800-654-9453 ext. 1776
Office: 541-966-1776
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM
foundation@wildhorseresort.com
thewildhorsefoundation.com
Walla Walla dance teacher set to retire, passing studio onto Walla Walla Summer Theater
May 14, 2024 Updated May 14, 2024
Walla Walla Summer Theater to Continue Idalee Huston-Fish’s 38 Year Legacy of Performing Arts Excellence by Inheriting Her Long Standing Studio Space
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WALLA WALLA, April 12, 2024 – The Walla Walla Summer Theater Group (WWST) is excited to announce that they will be carrying forward the exceptional legacy of Idalee Huston-Fish and her 38-year history of providing exceptional arts leadership. The Dance Center of Walla Walla, under Huston-Fish's direction, will be closing its doors, but WWST, a nonprofit organization, will be assuming the space and continuing the tradition of offering students professional level performing arts opportunities by transitioning her long standing dance studio space into a musical theater conservatory and rehearsal space that will offer classes, camps, workshops, and showcases in the disciplines of acting, singing, dance, and other varieties of theatrical and technical art forms.
WWST initially focused on the revitalization of the Amphitheater at Fort Walla Walla Park but experienced significant demand for their locally produced performing arts events and accessible educational opportunities. The limited capacity of a 250 square foot classroom hindered their ability to meet this demand effectively. Enter the partnership with Idalee Huston-Fish.
Under this arrangement, WWST will move into the current location of The Dance Center at 129 E. Alder, which is ten times larger than the space they are currently operating in. Kaup expressed his gratitude, stating, “We are so grateful that Idalee was able to partner with us to make this transition happen. It will allow us to accommodate larger class enrollments and provide more opportunities for students to excel in their performing arts journey.”
Idalee Huston-Fish sees this transition as a new chapter in her journey. While closing The Dance Center, she will continue to serve as a strategic advisor, ensuring the continuation of professional dance training through the dedicated Dance Center teachers. She remarked, "This move creates exciting opportunities for the future growth and continuation of performing arts in our community. As the Walla Walla Summer Theater was the reason I came to this community in 1976, this transition feels like a perfect full circle for my legacy."
“Idalee was one of my most influential mentors as a young performer growing up in the valley. We first met in the 1993 production of The King and I. Subsequently, she choreographed many of my peers and I in several productions. Ida instilled in all of us a deep respect for the arts and an understanding of the discipline it takes to become great within your artform.”
Huston-Fish also emphasized the impact she has had on many students over the years, instilling in them a deep respect for the arts and discipline. In a heartfelt letter to her current and former students, she expressed her gratitude for being able to share her love of ballet and the empowerment it brings. She will now focus on her personal well-being and spending quality time with her family.
The transition to WWST taking over the space at 129 E. Alder is made possible by the generous support of building owner Charles Potts, who has subsidized space for artists in the community by continually offering rental space to arts organizations far below market value. Kaup and Hutson-Fish expressed their gratitude for his long-standing support.
The final performance hosted by The Dance Center will be Coppelia, directed by Caleb Leitch, at Cordiner Hall on June 1st, with the studio officially closing on June 9th. WWST will assume the space on July 1st and will soon announce their summer and fall programming, including classes, workshops, and camps. Their professional mainstage production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast will open at Cordiner Hall on August 9th and run through the 17th.
For more information, please contact:
Tyson Kaup
Executive Artistic Director
Walla Walla Summer Theater
tyson@wallawallasummertheater.org
About Walla Walla Summer Theater Group (WWST)
The Walla Walla Summer Theater Group is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural identity of Walla Walla through locally produced performing arts events and accessible educational opportunities. Their mission is to revitalize the Amphitheater at Fort Walla Walla Park while providing exceptional performances and fostering a love for the arts within the community.
www.wallawallasummertheater.org
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
Walla Walla, February 9, 2024 – Walla Walla Summer Theater (WWST) is excited to announce the launch of its latest initiative aimed at sparking children's creativity and advancing their appreciation for the performing arts. Our renowned local theater group proudly introduces "A Little Bit of Magic," a touring production tailored for elementary school children. Under the esteemed direction of Whitman Professor Emerita Nancy Simon and with production led by Kaelyn Pyke, this tour is set to deliver the wonder of theater straight to the school environment.
Embark on a delightful journey with "A Little Bit of Magic," a play that embraces the splendor in diversity and affirms the distinctiveness of every child. This captivating performance seeks not only to amuse but to also bolster the Character Strong program, reinforcing fundamental values such as kindness, bravery, and compassion.
Tyson Kaup, WWST's Executive Artistic Director, was motivated to revive a program akin to the Walla Walla Community College tours which once profoundly impacted him as a youthful actor. “In 5th grade, I witnessed “Beauty and the Beast” in my school, a touring show brought by JoAnne and Lisa Rasmusen. It was so engaging that I joined the tour the following year as a performer. That experience opened my eyes to the dedication behind touring productions. As we’re aware some kids have not been to a theater, we’re excited to bring the magic of theater to them."
This initiative is partially supported by an Art Builds Community (ABC) Grant from ArtWalla, along with generous private contributions from the community. Participating schools are also encouraged to contribute, ensuring the success of this endeavor.
"The power of theater extends beyond entertainment; it enriches understanding, fosters empathy, ignites imagination, and yields joy. It's a present that continues to enlighten," remarks Director Nancy Simon. "Over fifty years in local play production have allowed me to witness young talents like Tyson Kaup mature into professionals who are now passing on their passion. It's heartwarming to recall how local theater has profoundly influenced individuals from various walks of life. I eagerly anticipate reaching out to a new generation through this platform."
Interactive performances will allow students to connect with vibrant characters and engaging stories, performed by a passionate troupe. These events are more than mere performances; they are instrumental educational experiences that complement the Character Strong curriculum.
Producer Kaelyn Pyke reflects, "Theater provides a space where individuals, young and old, can feel recognized and spurred on. Introducing this tour to schools represents a significant step in offering children access to this invaluable art form. We hold a strong conviction that exposure to the arts early in life is crucial for well-rounded learning. Integrating entertainment with profound life lessons is an honor for us."
WWST is excited to bring this program to schools in Walla Walla and neighboring communities, including Dayton, Waitsburg, Prescott, and Milton-Freewater, with hopes of making it an annual tradition.
The WWST Group's School Tour kicks off on March 25 and is open to all elementary schools in Walla Walla and nearby areas until April 12. To learn more, make booking arrangements, or discover how your school can be a part of this remarkable journey, please contact Kaelyn Pyke at kaelyn@wallawallasummertheater.org.
We invite you to join us in implanting "A Little Bit of Magic" into our children's hearts and minds, crafting a memorable experience that resonates well beyond the performance.
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**For Additional Information, Please Contact:**
Kaelyn Pyke
Chief DEI Officer and Director of Youth Programming
Walla Walla Summer Theater Group
Nancy Simon, Director
Robb Harrison, Music Director
Tyson Kaup, Executive Artistic Director
January 6, 2024
Area organizations reflect on 2023, look ahead to 2024
Hannah McIntyre | Walla Walla Union Bulletin | January 6, 2024