The Summer Stock program begins on June 25, when students (some from out of state) begin their classes. The production of Footloose has been cast. Acceptance into the program was by audition and was only open to high school and college age students who plan to pursue careers in musical theatre.

VLT’s Sandy Davisson, who is Director of the theatre’s Education and Outreach programs, says "This is the real thing; summer stock as it was meant to be. Students will work in all areas, from building sets to performance and they will be working to full professional standards."

Part of the students’ experience will be workshops led by area theatre professionals. Among them will be "Selling you! How to prepare for auditions - selections, dress and prep" presented by Larry Golden and "Don’t be late. Be early. Or – theatre etiquette and professional ethics" led by Brad Wages.

Duwain Hunt will act as production coordinator of the Summer Stock program. He notes that "This project has the potential of becoming a national model for community theatres. And we intend to pursue that possibility."

Hunt is the original designer and author of the Technical Theatre Apprenticeship Program (TTAP), which has been offered at VLT for six years and boasts graduates studying technical theatre at the college level or working in area theatres. VLT’s current Apprenticeship students will be designing the production of Footloose. They will be mentored in their assigned tasks by professional staff.

Davisson adds that "these two programs provide a safe place in our larger community for student theatre practitioners to learn and grow in their chosen fields - as practitioners and as individuals. That is why VLT is committed to education."

Directing the performance aspects of the program and the production will be Don Dillon III, who is coming to Venice from Kalamazoo, MI. Dillon, who has his own PBS show in Michigan, has received numerous directing and theatre honors throughout his extensive career.

Choreographer will be Eric Berkel, whose work includes choreographing and teaching at the Sarasota Players Theatre, many years as a choreographer and actor at The Golden Apple Theatre and ten years as a featured dancer for Siegfried and Roy.

Classes will be held at the theatre Monday through Friday, afternoons and evenings, beginning on June 25 and finishing with the August performances. Students will ‘build’ in the afternoons and rehearse in the evenings.

Footloose, chosen for this program because the cast fits the ages of the students, is also a dynamic, explosive and riveting musical and it was adapted to the stage after being an enormously popular movie starring Kevin Bacon. The stage adaptation was by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford. The show has music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Pitchford, and features additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.

The story begins when Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town; Ren is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. What he isn’t prepared for are the rigorous local rules, including a ban on dancing.

Ren turns things around and he does it to the rockin’ rhythm of the Oscar-nominated ‘top 40' score. The Footloose soundtrack album hit number one on the Billboard charts and has sold over 15 million copies.

The Summer Stock program and production are being supported by the Law Offices of Boone, Boone, Boone, Koda & Frook, P.A.

Venice Little Theatre is located at 140 West Tampa Avenue, on the island in Venice. The box office is now observing summer hours and is open from 10am to 5pm Monday through Friday and 10am to 1pm on Saturday. It also opens for walk up business one hour before all performances.

Stage adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie

Based on the original screenplay by Dean Pitchford

Music by Tom Snow; Lyrics by Dean Pitchford

Additional music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman