Celebrating 10 years of SOAR Regional Arts, “The Sound of Music” begins Sept. 17th
Broadway star, actress, singer, and author Julie Andrews is quoted for saying, “The arts make a bridge across this world in ways that nothing else can.”
In the 10 years since SOAR Regional Arts was first founded in 2011, the non-profit theatre organization has strived to do just that – to reach their audience and cast in unique ways through their productions, to not only perform, but connect the story to their lives.
The Beginnings
Ellen Beaudry and her husband, Terrell, both music teachers, grew up participating in community theater in Elk River with their friend Jamie Reznicek. The three had a dream of starting their own non-profit performing arts organization. In 2011, that dream became a reality, as they formed SOAR Regional Arts.
SOAR is an acronym for the communities it serves: St. Michael, Otsego, Albertville, and Rogers. Prior to its founding, there had not been a theater group in these communities. The organization is run by a fully-volunteer board: Terrell – President, Jamie – Treasurer, Ellen – Secretary and Marketing, Debra Bishop – Vice President, and Matt Weber – Director.
“We wanted to have something in our community where our kids, our neighbors, and our friends can all be a part of here,” Ellen Beaudry explained. “My husband and Jamie did a lot of the work [to start SOAR], and from what I understand, it’s quite a lengthy process.”
Once the paperwork had been filed and approved to be a non-profit, it was time to kick off the first season of performances.
SOAR produced its first full-scale musical, “Willy Wonka,” in 2012; auditions brought in about 70-80 actors wanting to participate.
SOAR Academy
With a strong welcome from the community, SOAR continued to expand and develop. In 2013, SOAR Academy was founded, and presented “The Jungle Book Kids.”
“We saw that there was a huge need for youth theater opportunities,” Beaudry said.
This program serves first through eighth graders, and was developed to include an educational aspect, called “Behind the Stage.”
“Part of the rehearsal process the kids are getting exposed to may be something that is relative to the subject matter of the production,” Beaudry shared, “whether it’s delving into set design, or learning more about how costumes are put together.”
For “The Lion King Jr.” SOAR partnered with In the Heart of the Beast puppet theater, and they taught the kids how to make masks.
“All of the hyenas built their masks out of paper mache, and those were part of their costumes,” Beaudry said. “We did “Frozen Jr.” so we had someone come out from the Norwegian Heritage Society in Minnesota, and they talked to us about Norway and the Scandinavian countries.”
They also work to include philanthropic work; when producing “Beauty and the Beast,” they had a book drive to donate to the local library.
“We try to teach the kids that there’s something deeper in the message of what the show’s about,” Beaudry explained, “so they’re not just taking it in on a surface level, but developing not just as a performer, but as a person, too.”
TAG
As the children in SOAR Academy grew older, they saw the need to continue supporting and encouraging their teenage actors. In 2014, Teen Advisory Group (TAG) was formed.
Teens ages 13 to 19 years old have the opportunity to participate in a “mini board” of their own, and produce their own show, “Broadway in the Park.”
“They meet on their own, and have committees and sub-committees,” Beaudry said. “Jamie Reznicek had the idea for it, and she serves as one of the advisors.”
For “Broadway in the Park,” all aspects are the responsibility of TAG, from directing, to choreography, vocals, stage management, costumes, and props. The City of Otsego partners with SOAR to provide the rehearsal space, as well as the park in which they perform.
10 Years Later
Ever since their first production, to date, SOAR has produced seven all-ages family musicals, nine youth productions, eight holiday fundraising concerts, two adult plays, four unique special presentations, and have had over one thousand youth participants, affirming their dream to bring a musical production organization into the community. Even with the difficulties that came with COVID, SOAR adapted to continue offering performing arts opportunities through virtual shows, and the outdoor event, “Illuminate the Night.”
As SOAR celebrates 10 years of providing music and theater, they are also looking forward to the next decade.
“We don’t have a specific timeline, but it’s definitely something we think about,” Beaudry said. “We would love to develop an arts facility, something that could have a gallery component, a performance space, and just to have a space that brings it all together.”
“The Sound of Music”
SOAR’s upcoming musical production has been a decade-long dream. The organization has been attempting to get the rights to “The Sound of Music” for the past 10 years, and now, from Sept. 17-26, they have the opportunity to perform the beloved classic. Performances will be held at the St. Michael-Albertville Middle School West at the following dates:
• Friday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m.
• Friday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Sept. 25 at 2 and 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Sept. 16 at 2 p.m.
The production also serves as a unique celebration of SOAR’s 10 years, as Ryan Nielson, who plays the role of “The Captain,” played “Willy Wonka” in their very first production.
“To have him come back after 10 years has been really special,” Beaudry said.
Their first-ever stage director, Mary Cutler, is also returning for the production, bringing back fond memories of past performances.
From an impressive chorus of 30 nuns, to the casting of families and siblings, “The Sound of Music” is an ideal production as SOAR reaches its 10-year milestone.
To join in on the celebration, visit soararts.com to purchase tickets for the upcoming performances, and learn how you can become involved in SOAR.
