LCT Adds ‘Learning Stage Series’ to Its Schedule

The award-winning Lexington Children’s Theatre, which already serves more than 130,000 children a year, has expanded its reach with yet another creative opportunity for kids.

LCT has announced a new program for the 2015-16 season – The Learning Stage Series that will feature two additional shows (both musicals) to be performed at the theatre’s 95-seat Learning Stage.

“Zombie in Love” will feature a cast of up to 12 middle and high school students and is scheduled for Oct. 28-Nov. 1

In February 2016, LCT will stage Disney’s “Mulan Jr.” with a cast of about two dozen, including roles for elementary school children.

“We’re excited because this creates more opportunity for young people to get on stage and perform,” LCT Producing Director Larry Snipes said.

Snipes pointed out that for the 20 roles in the recent production of “The Giver,” more than 100 young people auditioned.

The new shows join an already ambitious production schedule at the theatre, which was started in 1938.

Since 1979, Snipes and his wife Vivian, the Artistic Director, have been the driving forces for a staff that now features 16 full-time employees and another 20-25 part-timers including interns.

LCT features more than 400 performances a year, including shows at its Main Stage and at the Lexington Opera Theatre.

LCT performs for the public and school audiences and also takes shows on the road in Kentucky and out of state.

The Theatre’s Summer Family Musical has become a Lexington tradition.

On the education side, LCT offers workshops and classes throughout the year for children as young as 4.

LCT’s summer camps run for 10 weeks, feature workshops and performances and are among the most popular in the city.

With its Performance Workshops and Theatre Explorers programs, LCT brings after-school classes to area schools.

Teachers also can participate in LCT residencies where the theatre’s professionals come during school hours to teach subjects that meet Kentucky Core Curriculum standards.

LCT has won a Governor’s Award for the Arts in 2013 and the Orlin Corey Medallion from the Children’s Theatre Foundation of America in 2012.

“Things never get stale here,” Snipes said. “Our staff is working here because they are dedicated to the art form. We evaluate everything and that’s what makes it fresh.”

Info: www.lctonstage.org or (859) 254-4546.