For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Marking a milestone 50th year of performing and molding professional performers, the Kids from Wisconsin will celebrate in over 35 hometowns across the state this summer, plus twice daily at the Wisconsin State Fair.

This year’s show theme, “Shine the Light” features music performed since the inception of the Kids from Wisconsin. Some of the all-time audience favorites will be featured, along with five decades of Broadway. Kids will shine the light on the past 50 years while lighting the way for the next 50.

One of the towns in which they will stop is Wisconsin Rapids. And even more exciting…we have a hometown Kid who will shine the light on the stage as a principle singer/dancer. In her second year with the troupe, Megan Shields, 16, of Port Edwards, is excited to be a Kid in this historic 50th year.

Megan Shields. (Contributed)

Megan is completing her sophomore year at John Edwards High School in Port Edwards. Dancing since the age of four, she currently trains at Rapids School of Performing Arts. She has also had the privilege of learning choreography under the direction of a Rockette, singing the National Anthem at community events, and performing with her church’s praise band.

Megan has also been a part of her region’s All Star Choir, State Honors Choir, and has participated in many solo ensemble competitions, repeatedly advancing to State. This is her second summer with Kids, and she is thrilled to be able to perform and tour with her Kids From Wisconsin family again.

The Arts Council of South Wood County is pleased to present the Kids show at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center of Wisconsin Rapids on Monday, July 16. Tickets are $16 and may be purchased beginning May 1 at the Arts Council office, 1040 8th Street South, Suite 101, Wisconsin Rapids; or by phone (715.424.2787); or 24/7 at www.SavorTheArts.org. Proceeds from the show will be donated to a special fund being established to maintain our beautiful Performing Arts Center.

A “Realize Your Dream” outreach program will be held at 4:00 p.m. the afternoon of July 16. Troupe members “pay it forward” by teaching performance skills and tools that can be carried into daily life. Since this aligns with the Arts Council’s mission of arts in education, it will again be presented at the Performing Arts Center of Wisconsin Rapids. This is a FREE, one-hour hands-on performing arts workshop designed for youth ages 7-14; but pre-registration is required. Students may register for this workshop at www.kidsfromwisconsin.org/. Select the July 16 workshop at the PAC.

The Realize Your Dream objectives are:
• To foster appreciation for performance
• To demonstrate diligence and dedication
• To build relationships with community youth
• To connect with a more diverse audience
• To communicate to youngsters how life’s goals can be attainable by someone just like them