Our Classic Series, OF MICE AND MEN directed by Aaron Moreland was seen by nearly 680 students in the free daytime performance. Our sincere thanks to John Jurkowitz, Mount Vernon City Schools, Knox County Career Center, Fredericktown, Danville, Clearfork and East Knox High Schools as well as the MVNU theatre department for attending.  Evening performances were seen by 337 patrons, 53 of which were comp tickets for students. Thanks, Joe Mortellaro! Your $3,000 donation helped us move the production to Mount Vernon, a more central location in the county. Also thanks to the Youth Philanthropy Initiative of the Community Foundation for their gift of $1,000.

The cast has been announced and rehearsals are underway for Meredith Willson’s THE MUSIC MAN. Who doesn’t love 76 Trombones? Humming the song even keeps my son-in-law safe in high places! We are doing 6 shows in July, skipping the 4^th so our volunteers can be with their families. This year's show will be directed by Leah Andrews, Music Director Diane Dingler, Conductor Dane Heuchemer, and many of our loyal volunteers are returning to fill out the production team.
Our budget for summer musicals average $45,000 and ticket sales from the event pay our general management budget for the year so it is a big deal that folks come out and see the show.  It was necessary to raise the seats on the main floor to $18 but lower balcony seats will be $15 and upper balcony seats still just $10.

Something new and exciting, and a true fulfillment of our mission, comes in September . . . THE JJ PROJECT. JJ House has a dream; he wants to direct a show! Once you get to know JJ you will understand why we had to make this happen. He wants to do it next week but it’s going to take some time to plan and raise the 20,000+ for a production of the musical HOW I BECAME A PIRATE. We will call-cast for the pirates and audition for the role of Jeremy Jacobs. MTVarts adult volunteers will be on hand to mentor each position but the entire production team is going to be kids, a real chance to learn how this all happens and build for the future.  
Theatrical Rights Worldwide is partnering with us and have made arrangements for the Composer/Lyricist team of Mark Friedman and Janet Vogt as well as the author of the book, Melinda Long to attend the show.  Watch for details on the JJ page about a book signing event at Paragraphs.

We continue to promote performing arts through our website and contact with our database which has grown to over 1200.  We rent warehouse space and share that with our partners.  We are negotiating now to move our costumes which are housed in donated space to a more accessible, climate controlled rented space.  We also offer online ticketing via Vendini and in cooperation with First-Knox National Bank. You can buy tickets online for all MTVarts productions, many of our Partner events and some community events.

MTVarts strives to be audience-driven so your questions and comments are always welcome.  Just email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Our dreams are as diverse as the volunteers that make up our MTVarts family.  Our goal is to provide quality, affordable performing arts for our community.  Ticket sales alone cannot fund both "quality" and "affordable.  We need your help!

Dreams become reality when you believe. So clap your hands (after writing a check and mailing it or donating online) and say with me . . . I believe! I believe! Dreams will LIVE in 2013!