Lovewell workshop participants create original piece of musical theatre

The Lovewell Institute has returned to the Brown Grand Theatre for its annual theater workshop for local students.

Lovewell is a nonprofit creative arts organization that defines itself as “for people of all ages, dreams of all shapes and visions of all sizes.”

Lovewell conducts creative workshops around the globe for people ages 8-21. They visit a town for a week, and local artists create an entire production from scratch: writing the script, composing musical numbers, and choreographing dance routines.

Concordians in this year's production are Belle Chavey, Ruby Genereux, Leah Peltier, Levi Smith, Leathan Stevenson, Brady Strait, and Nyah Weis.

JJ Parkey is Lovewell's touring director this year. He hails from New York City, and this is his seventh year with Lovewell. “For me, it's a joyful time,” Parkey said. “Lovewell is unique because it puts the voice of the student first.”

Parkey said that he stays with Lovewell because of the unique talent every year. “Students have new stories to tell each year, and it's so inspiring. That's why I keep coming back. I want to help those voices be heard.”

The 2023 production at the Brown Grand is “WONDERPHASE: A Musical of Madness", which Parkey describes as a punk-rock musical.

This is Leathan Stevenson's first experience with Lovewell's workshop atmosphere, and he loves it. “It's the most fun thing I've done related to theater,” he said. “I would recommend the experience to anyone.”

Stevenson has embraced the team atmosphere that permeates their rehearsals. “I like that we all get to contribute. We're working as a team to create this really great script.”

Belle Chavey, a veteran of the Brown Grand stage, is spending her fourth summer with Lovewell. “This will be my last performance at the Brown Grand for awhile,” said Chavey, who just graduated from Concordia High School and is leaving at the end of the summer to attend Kansas State University. “I was 11 years old the first time I performed at the Brown Grand.”

Chavey said she really likes this year's group of students and the stories they have to tell. “This group is so efficient and open to other people's ideas. We're all pitching in and adding ideas for everyone's performances. My character is named Princess Ellie. There's a lot mystery around her.”

The only performance of “WONDERPHASE: A Musical of Madness” is Saturday, June 17 at 3 p.m. The show is free and open to the public.