What gifts await in 2018?

So this is the last “Young Thespians” column of the year. Where does the time go? Seems like only yesterday, etc. etc.

I will see you again in January for another calendar year of columns on the fine work that is being done by our area young thespians — and the adults that assist them.

What groups would you like to see profiled?

I am happy to know that this column and our “Young Thespians” Facebook group has become a good resource for area youth theater productions to promote their work and support others in similar endeavors. But if you think I magically have my finger on the pulse of youth theater through some secret talent I possess, let me dispel that notion right away.

The vast majority of productions that you read about in these pages are relayed to you by me simply because someone took the time to message me and say, “Hey! Did you hear that (so and so) is doing a show?”

Sometimes I do know about that show. But most of the time I do not.

If you have a group that you think deserves a profile or at least a promotion, please pass them along! The mission of this column is to put a spotlight on our young area artists and the quality work they put forward to entertain and enlighten our community.

This space has reported on some pretty special productions, from Holocaustthemed dramas at Geauga Lyric Theater Guild in Chardon to “I Am Martol” and all of the worthy debate that surrounded that production at Willoughby South High School.

But there have also been about five million productions of “Seussical,” “Guys and Dolls,” and any number of other classic “runof-the-mill” shows where all that was going on were lives being changed of every member of the cast and crew.

Theater is a full body and spirit workout. And for all of the time that our area young thespians put into their performances and all of the effort our adults put into supporting them, those kids deserve an audience. That is the one small area I hope that I can help.

But I can only do it if I know about it. Please pass it on! Email me at stevecouch@windstream.net, message me on Twitter @ StevenRCouch or join our growing “Young Thespians” Facebook group and post away with a lot of other like-minded artists!

What gifts await us in 2018 on our area stages? I can think of a few good ones, and even some I will be directing myself! But whatever they are and wherever they are staged, you can bet for the 15th straight year I will be bringing them to you, God willing. Thanks for reading, thanks for posting, thanks for messaging, and, to The News-Herald — thanks for running them! See you in 2018.

Fine Arts Association

Only one weekend left to catch some of our area young thespians at the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby in their production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.”

The production opened Thanksgiving weekend but still runs through Dec. 17. Performances are Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

For tickets, call 440-9517500 or reserve at www. fineartsassociation.org. Reservations are not required, but strongly recommended. Individual tickets are $25 per adult; $23 per senior or student 11 years and older; $15 per child 10 years and younger. Discounted tickets for groups of ten and more are available.

The Fine Arts Association is at 38660 Mentor Ave. in Willoughby. Parking is free, and Corning Auditorium is barrier free.

“The Little Mermaid” is presented by Producing Sponsor, The Women’s Committee of The Fine Arts Association and Supporting Sponsor, Andrews Osborne Academy.

Additional support is provided by the Ohio Arts Council.