Everest Arts organization taking shape
Local thespians will have another option to tread the boards this summer with the formation of the Everest Academy for the Arts.
Weston residents Steve Vesper and John Kramer started talking about forming the organization after they saw D.C. Everest Senior High School's production of "Seussical: The Musical" two years ago. Both said they were blown away by the quality of the performance.
"It just seemed to be that much better than the senior high productions in the past," Kramer said. "We thought how great would it be to put on a big musical theater production at the school with not only Everest students, but the best students and adults in the area."
Kramer and Vesper created the arts organization to provide summer opportunities in the community. Both Kramer and Vesper have children active in performing arts and Vesper's wife, Wendy, was co-director of Everest's middle-level musical this year.
"We're not trying to compete with any of the other local organizations. We're trying to fill a niche," Vesper said. "There's potentially a lot of untapped talent and personnel that are not currently involved with other arts organizations."
The organization's first project is a performance of "Miss Saigon" Aug. 5 through 8 at the D.C. Everest Senior High Auditorium. Christian Ammon, a social studies teacher at the D.C. Everest Senior High who also directs musical theater productions in the district, will direct.
"I have always wanted to direct students and adults in a challenging musical like 'Miss Saigon'," Ammon said. "I've seen 'Miss Saigon' four times and each time I see it, the more I love it."
The academy will also host theater camps, the Introspect Dance Company performance and a performance by Ephemerui, led by New York choreographer and dancer Ben Rassmussen.
"We want to be able to educate, entertain and promote performing arts in this area," Kramer said. "We just hope to offer quality programming, quality camps and some additional opportunities for kids and adults to be in theater."
Auditions for "Miss Saigon" will be held in June. For more information on Everest Academy for the Arts, visit www.everestarts.org.
Story and photo courtesy Wausau Daily Herald.
