For 13 years, the Auburn Players have spent their summer focusing on Youth Theater.  Theater performed by kids, and for kids.  This year they planned an extraordinary event, “The Future of Broadway!”

APPoster_reduced-page-001This Broadway musical revue is directed and performed entirely by local young talent.  Taking the directing reins are three young women who have participated as actors in the program for many years.

Lillian Boberg (age 18) has participated in the Auburn Players Youth Theater since the age of 8, and played The Baker’s Wife in last year production of “Into the Woods, Jr.”

Brenda Buff (age 18) joined the youth theater last year as Jack’s Mother. She has participated in theater for many years in Skaneateles.

Jenna Nila (age 15) started in the youth theater in 2009 as a little tea cup in “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.,” and has participated in every youth theater production ever since.

These talented teenagers took over the reins as directors. The trio planned the show, chose the content, and wrote the introductions; cast the show, everything a seasoned director would do.

They are joined by NYU Freshman, Morgan McIlivan, who choreographed the numbers for the production; Molly Shaples, a recent CCC graduate will be creating the lighting design, and Felicia McIlvain a local high school student is adding her photography talents to the show.

Seasoned theater director and set designer Virginia Fennessy acted as mentor to the young directors. Sherry Smith Samuel, who helped start the youth theater 13 years ago, is serving as Musical Director, and Julie Doyle Boedicker is again acting as Stage Manager for the youth theater students.

The young performers singing your favorite Broadway tunes include, Lillian Boberg, Jenna Nila, Brenda Buff, Morgan McIlvain, Irelynn Vollmer, Bethany Lorenzo, Ella Boedicker, Julianna Buchmann, Lily Nila, Mary Nila, Katie Temple, Zarya White, Kayleandra White, Charli Tallman, Adriannah DiFabio, and Patrick Jorolemon

The FUTURE OF BROADWAY takes the stage August 19 & 20 at 8:00 PM, and Sunday, August 21 at 2:00 PM at the Irene Bisgrove Theater at Cayuga Community College. Tickets are $15 General Admission, $13 Senior/Student, and $10 for kids under 12. Discounted advance sale tickets are available at www.auburnplayers.org or from cast members.