There’s No Place Like Home

For more than three decades, the Wekiva River Players Community Theatre (WRP) has bounced from venue to venue in Seminole County – cobbling together places to rehearse, store costumes and props, and perform its shows.

Now, the nonprofit organization is settling down in one space that’s big enough to accommodate all its needs: St. Stephen Lutheran Church on State Road 434 in Longwood.

“Historically, we have been what I would call nomadic or itinerant, where we would be renting our rehearsal spaces and our storage spaces and our performance spaces, and they were always vastly different,” says Jon Lynch, president of WRP’s board of directors. “Now, everything we’re doing is all under one roof, which also allows us to expand our offerings because we’re not relying on someone else’s availability.”

Over the past 10 years alone, the troupe has performed at theaters in Sanford and at schools, churches, and civic and event centers across the county. Rehearsals have been held at multiple schools and dance studios in the area. WRP, which recently signed a five-year lease with St. Stephen, has already begun making good use of two buildings on the church campus. One building is being used for its rehearsals, classes, workshops, and storage. The other is the parish hall, where the troupe’s performances will be staged.

Staying Power

Founded in 1993, WRP is Seminole County’s longest-running theater ensemble. The organization started as a community theater that staged plays and musicals but switched to a junior theater format years ago, offering fee-based musical theater education and performance opportunities for elementary-, middle-, and high-school students. Registration is capped at about 25 kids per production.

Although the group remains focused on its youth theater programs, WRP is adding shows with adult casts back into its entertainment mix. First up: It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play in December, directed by Jon. The adult shows, which are non-union and non-paid, are cast by audition, and there is no fee to participate.

With so much space at its disposal and no competing schedules beyond church activities, WRP is expanding in several ways. The organization is adding more academy classes – which teach kids about topics such as auditions and character development – and offering day workshops when students are out of school for holidays. WRP has long offered summer theater camps and spring breaks. And recently, the troupe produced its first-ever murder mystery dinner theater.

Taking Center Stage

Lauren Wheeles, a WRP board member and Longwood resident, says the theater’s expanded offerings will help fill a void in the Longwood vicinity.

“Community-wise, it’s going to just add so much more richness to the culture of this area,” says Lauren.

Lauren has a very personal connection to Wekiva River Players. For many children – including her daughter, Camila – being involved in theater builds their confidence and creativity.

“Camila used to be a very nervous and shy child, and theater has brought her out of her shell,” says Lauren. “Now she stands on that stage with an absolute sense of pride.”

Like Lauren, Jon is a Longwood resident who became part of the group when his kids were involved.

“They have since graduated on. I’m still in it,” he says with a smile.

One of WRP’s biggest draws for young performers, says Jon, is “the sense of family, the sense of belonging to something bigger than yourself.”

Full-Circle Moments

Graham Dollar, a 24-year-old Sanford resident, knows exactly what Jon is talking about. She performed with the troupe from sixth through 12th grade and formed lifelong friendships with kids she never would have met if not for WRP. Now, she has gone from being a performer to being a member of the directing team for the elementary program.

A graduate of Lake Mary High School and the University of Central Florida, Graham works in sales for her parents’ printing business. Despite her busy schedule, Graham is happy to make time for WRP. She says the group’s strengths include having involved parents and directors who have been with the organization for years, providing not only performing arts education but also support and mentorship.

“Sundays [rehearsal days] are the highlight of my week,” says Graham. “It’s something I look forward to, being with my kids. Applying what you’ve learned to the younger generation and seeing them really succeed with it is cool. I just feel like WRP always has me coming back for more.”

Richard Morgan, also a Lake Mary High School alum, performed with WRP from third grade until his senior year. A graduate of Baldwin Wallace University’s musical theater program, he is a professional actor. Richard, 24, is currently playing several ensemble roles in the jukebox musical Mystic Pizza, which is on a national tour. He has also performed as a mainstage vocalist for Disney Cruise Line and is a cast member of Bachelors of Broadway, a musical theater revue show that performs around the country and on cruise ships.

“WRP always placed an emphasis on involving each cast member as much as possible, so you always felt valued, and you always felt like you were contributing to the bigger picture,” says Richard, who remembers his time with the group as a joyful experience. “Getting to develop in a judgment-free zone like that, where everyone’s quirks were celebrated and everyone got their moment to shine, taught me what theater’s greatest power is: community.”

To learn more about WRP, visit WekivaRiverPlayers.org.