Talent Avenue

Another great summer opportunity to be on stage! I know the people behind this program, and I promise you will enjoy the process!

🌳 It's official — we're going Into the Woods! 🌳

We are thrilled to announce the Excelsior Arts Academy 2026 Summer Musical:

🎭 INTO THE WOODS
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

✨ Show Dates: July 9–11, 2026
📍 Performance Location: Northrop High School

We are so grateful to Northrop High School for generously providing rehearsal and performance space for this production!

🎤 AUDITIONS will be held at two locations:
📅 Wednesday, May 27 — Auburn Presbyterian Church
📅 Thursday, May 28 — Northrop High School

Rehearsals will also be split between Auburn and Northrop. We appreciate everyone's flexibility as we make this exciting production happen!

🔗 Sign up for auditions & complete registration here:
Into the Woods Registration Form → https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCFhYNTjeKH945TVaAFY9ryXvbfwm9_xHmjoZYrYtZoO1RyQ/viewform
Audition Sign-Up Genius → https://m.signupgenius.com/ #!/showSignUp/10C0C49A4A92DA3FEC52-64216361-into

📋 Audition materials & more info: www.excelsiorartsacademy.org

Questions? Contact Shelley Johnson:
📞 260-414-1866
✉️ [email protected]

Congratulations to Jae Haynes, who will be studying Musical Theatre at Bowling Green State University this fall! This summer, you can catch her in the lead role of Cady Heron in Fort Wayne Summer Music Theatre's production of Mean Girls!

Big congratulations to Carly Bair from Northrop HS! She will be atttending Roosevelt University in Chicago next year in their prestigious BFA Musical Theatre program!

I am always proud of ALL my students for the commitment and hard work they put in. But sometimes they get acknowledgment of that work from other sources, and that is always worth celebrating! Carroll Show Choirs had their end of the year awards this week, and big congratulations go to Sam Walker and Kennedy Harrell, named as the two Outstanding Sophomores! Emily Potter was also acknowledged as a four year member, and was awarded the National School Choral Award for Carroll!

Proud of Jae for her Grand Champ win at Northridge this weekend! Now waiting to hear back from more schools about acceptance... Big things ahead!

Congratulations to Izzy Tappy, a 2024 Carroll HS grad! She is a multi-talented young woman, who has starred in many theatrical productions, excelled in the classroom, and is a gifted artist as well. She recently was awarded the National Choral Award for Carroll HS. Best of luck to Izzy as she heads off to sunny Florida Southern to major in Graphic Design!

Congratulations to Caleb Cox who will be pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre at Oklahoma City University. Caleb has been on stage since he was six years old, and has been in productions with the Fort Wayne Civic, IMTF, Wells Community Theatre, PFW, Youtheatre, and Summit CIty Music Theatre. Catch him as Franz Liebkind the The Producers with SCMT June 21-30. Can't wait to see what the future holds for you, Caleb!

Congratulations to Emersen Conner! Emersen is headed to Roosevelt University for a BFA in Musical Theatre this fall. You have most likely seen Emmie on stage in Fort Wayne, as she was most recently Emma in The Prom at First Pres, Fiona in Shrek The Musical at the Civic, and she is currently in rehearsals for The Producers with Summit City Music Theatre! Congrats, Emmie- we know there are great things ahead for you!

Kelsey Bortner is a 2024 graduate of Northrop High School in Fort Wayne, IN. She has been involved in both Allure and Charisma Show Choirs while at Northrop, and has also been in musicals. Kelsey loves to sing jazz music, and participated in solo competitions as well as solo features at Northrop. She will be attending Ball State University in the fall as an Elementary Education major. The world will be better for her love for children and the incredible teacher she will be! Congrats, Kelsey!

Congratulations to Eric Eiden, Class of 2024 from Hicksville, Ohio! Eric has been involved in choir, drama, and track at Hicksville High School, and was most recently seen as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. He has also been involved with IMTF in Hairspray as Seaweed, Phantom in the ballet ensemble, and is currently in rehearsal for Legally Blonde. He has also been involved in their concert series as a soloist. Eric will be pursuing his music career in Contemporary, Jazz, and Popular Music at Columbia College Chicago. So proud of you, Eric!