Indian Valley Theatre

We are very sad to announce that at the annual meeting of Indian Valley Theatre, the board of directors and other members voted to cancel the current 2020 season of plays as well as the Melodramas scheduled and possibly the spring show in 2021 due to the Covid 19 virus. IVT has joined along with other community and professional theaters to postpone productions until its safe for our patrons and members.

IVT members have been following the State and County reports along with those across the nation. The uncertainty of how this virus may attack one individual in one way and differently in another is unsettling.

The shows we had chosen will be performed in our 2021 season when possible. We ask that everyone use proper CDC, State and County Health guidelines and precautions to ensure that this Pandemic may be slowed and stopped in a fewer rather than greater amount of months.

IVT will be taking intermission together until we can be center stage with our friends and patrons again. Stay tuned as we strive to develop new ways to keep you entertained through digital performances, workshops and social media events!

Thank you for all your past support of Indian Valley Theatre, during the last 37 years. We will be back!

–The Indian Valley Board of Directors/Kathie Hart President

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that Indian Valley Theatre share the passing this week of a very special and talented member of our group, Rich Bryan. Rich was involved in all aspects of the theatre for many years alongside his wife and founding member Mimi. He starred as the villain in many Sandwich Fair Melodramas as well as doing the lights and sets at the Fairgrounds for many years. We could always count on Rich’s talents as technical lighting director for productions, scaling the light towers at the Opera House with superman agility. He often appeared on stage in a variety of roles throughout the years. Rich also lent his expertise as a Director on many productions. Our sincere sympathies go out to Allison Bryan, Carl Bryan and their families and the many friends who loved him. IVT will miss you and your humor…Mr. Rich. We thank you so much for sharing your life and talents with us. We know you and Mimi will be guiding performers in heaven. 😇🎭

The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Mimi Bryan Memorial IVT Scholarship or to Indian Valley Theatre.

Please follow this link if you would like to donate.

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Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs

Written by The Brothers Grimm and adapted by Jessie Braham

Directed by Michele Wade
Assistant Director Jen Ketchum

Performances: March 20th thru 22nd 
Indian Valley Theatre is proud to present their next production, ’Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs’. Performances will be held Friday, March 20th and Saturday, March 21st @ 7:30pm and Sunday, March 22nd @ 2pm @ the historic Sandwich Opera House, 140 E. Railroad St. in Sandwich. Director is Michele Wade, Assistant Director is Jen Ketchum, Co-Producers are Sharon Pagoria and Gordon Schumpert and Stage Manager is Sam Miller.

‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ is fairy tale play based on the story written by The Brothers Grimm and adapted by Jessie Braham White. It is NOT the Disney version or a musical; although there is some music involved. In this famous story, Snow White is supposedly disposed of by the wicked queen. She finds her way to a happy glen and the home of seven friendly dwarfs. A deadly apple casts her into a deep sleep, from which she is revived by her devoted prince.

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Our productions are held at the Historic Sandwich Opera House
140 E Railroad St, Sandwich, IL 60548

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Hey Y’all! You better get used to hearing that phrase as we started rehearsals for “A Twisted Christmas Carol!” Did we also mention this is a Premiere show that IVT was chosen to do?!? Tickets are on sale now! You won’t want to miss this one!!

Auditions have recently been announced for Indian Valley Theatre’s production of “Murder on the Rerun” by Fred Carmichael, on Sunday, July 14^th from 1-4pm and Monday, July 15^th from 7 to 9pm. They will be held in the Community Room at the Sandwich Opera House, 140 E. Railroad St. in Sandwich and are open to the public. Auditions will be a cold reading from the script and no appointment is necessary. IVT membership is not required to audition, although it is required if you are cast. Audition forms may be downloaded prior to auditioning on IVT’s website.

 “Murder on the Rerun”, will be directed by Linda Whaley. Casting will consist of 2 males and 5 females of various ages. Performances will be October 18, 19 and 20 @ the Historic Sandwich Opera House.

“Murder on the Rerun” takes a different approach to mystery as a ghost tries to find out who murdered her in a witty, sophisticated, yet suspenseful look at the upper crust of Hollywood. The curtain rises to find Jane, Oscar winning screen writer, dead at the bottom of the stairs in a Vermont ski lodge. Her four friends and husband are saying she fell. “I was pushed!” she says as her ghost rises. Aided by Kitty, a rather wanton adviser from “up there,” Jane is brought ahead to the present, three years after the murder, where the same group is gathered. They are all famous with film makers and have an intense hate love relationship; Jane’s husband who has married an ambitious ingénue, a heading for middle age leading lady, an arrogant director, and Hollywood’s reigning gossip columnist. The five suspects join together to keep the possible murder quiet for reasons of their own but their relationship busts apart with their mutual distrust. Woven through the suspense in humorous, acidic, and revealing comedy is an extraordinary whodunit with a surprise denouement when the murderer is revealed. All the roles are lengthy with well defined characters

For more specific information or questions about “Murder on the Rerun” auditions or upcoming performances or Indian Valley Theatre in general, please e-mail info@indianvalleytheatre.com or contact IVT at 888-365-8889. Check us out online @ www.indianvalleytheatre.com. Indian Valley Theatre is an Illinois Not-for-Profit organization dedicated to the appreciation and development of the performing arts in the Fox Valley area.

Indian Valley Theatre is proud to announce the names of the recipients for this year’s “Mimi Bryan Memorial IVT Scholarship.” Because of generous donations from the community, IVT was able to award 3 scholarships this year. Congratulations to Sydney Chmielewski, Jaden Frantzen and Caroline Welte.

From Indian Valley Theatre’s very first days, Mimi Bryan was there.  She was one member of the passionate founding families dreaming big about live community theatre.  As a long time educator, Mimi was active on stage as well as behind the scenes.  Most importantly, she was instrumental in giving many budding actors a shot on stage and bringing Community Theater to life for hundreds of members of the Fox Valley community to enjoy. In the wonderful spirit of her significant contributions to the Fox Valley theatre world, IVT is very pleased to offer this year’s “Mimi Bryan Memorial IVT Scholarship” to these three students, all from Sandwich High School. They were presented with their awards at a recent Sandwich High School Awards Night by IVT President, Kathie Hart. All 3 students have been involved with IVT throughout the years.

Sydney will be attending North Central College in the Fall, where she hopes to pursue a Major in Musical Theatre and/or Psychology. She has been an active volunteer in the community, is an Illinois State Scholar, a National Honor Society Member and has participated in Choirs, Speech Team, Theatre and various clubs throughout High School. She was in the IMEC Honors All-State Choir for 2 years. She was a participant in IVT’s Summer Children’s Theatre Workshop for many years and has been a Teacher’s Aide in the program as well.

Jaden has been involved with IVT from a very young age, participating as a cast or crew member in many productions and has been a participant in IVT’s Summer Children’s Theatre Workshops as a student and now as a High School Aide. She has participated in numerous plays throughout H.S. as well as Choirs, Bands, Speech Team, Drama Club and also sang in the All-State Choir. She is a National Honor Society Member. She has a passion for working with children and will be majoring in Elementary Education at Elmhurst College. She has a determination “to follow in Mimi Bryan’s footsteps.”

Caroline will be attending Millikin University where she will be studying for a degree in Vocal Music Education. Caroline is also a National Honor Society member and an IL State Scholar. She has participated in many different Choirs, Speech Team, Theatre, Band, and many various clubs. She was in the ILMEA District Choir and the ILMEA All-State Choir for 2 years. She also was involved with IVT’s Summer Children’s Theatre Workshop for many years. She hopes to continue working with Community Theatre Groups in the future.  

Congratulations! Everyone at IVT wishes the best for these three young ladies as they begin their college education. For questions, tickets or more information about Indian Valley Theatre, please e-mail info@indianvalleytheatre.com  or contact IVT at 888-365-8889. Check us out online @ www.indianvalleytheatre.com. Indian Valley Theatre is an Illinois Not-for-Profit organization dedicated to the appreciation and development of the performing arts in the Fox Valley area.

Pictured left to right are: Cheryl Welte, Jaden Frantzen, Kathie Hart and Sydney Chmielewski.

Auditions for Indian Valley Theatre’s Annual and Traditional Melodrama Productions at the Sandwich Fair will be held on Saturday, June 29th from 1-3pm and Sunday, June 30th from 1-3pm in the community room of the Sandwich Opera House, 140 East Railroad in Sandwich. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the scripts and are open to the public, ages 16 and above, no experience is necessary and OVERACTING is definitely preferred! IVT membership is not required to audition. Performances will be held during the 2019 Sandwich Fair, September 4^th through 8th.   

This year, audiences will be treated to TWO classic melodramas chocked full of puns and jokes galore. “The Perils of Priscilla or…The Schoolmarm’s Dilemma” will be directed by Michele Wade and “Never Fear Strongheart’s Here” will be directed by Connie Cline. If you are cast, you will be expected to attend rehearsals, as well as, help with set build the weekend before the Fair and tear down on Sunday.  Men and women of all age groups are needed to play Villains, Heroes, Madams, and many other fun characters!

For questions or more information about the IVT Sandwich Fair Melodrama Auditions or Indian Valley Theatre, please e-mail info@indianvalleytheatre.com or contact IVT at 888-365-8889. Check us out on Facebook or online @ www.indianvalleytheatre.com! Indian Valley Theatre is an Illinois Not-for-Profit organization dedicated to the appreciation and development of the performing arts in the Fox Valley area.

The Children’s workshop will perform after 2 weeks of preparation “The Sasparilla Kid and the Bally Hoo Belle Gang!” written by Alethia Hummel. Tickets will be sold at the door for CASH ONLY $5 per person. Performances will be Friday June 21st at 6:30pm and Saturday June 22nd at 2pm. We invite everyone to come check out what our workshops are all about and to support our kids and staff! We hope to see you there!