Kids from Wisconsin come to Weill Theater
Wisconsin’s Official Ambassadors of Goodwill, The Kids From Wisconsin,
open the Weill Center
Presents
season with a new and exciting performance at 7 p.m., August 27, 2009.
The Kids From Wisconsin
program was conceived and developed in 1969 by the late Mark Azzolina, a retired lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Air Force. Given the turbulence of the late ‘60s, the late Gov. Warren P. Knowles, wanted to show the nation the best face of Wisconsin’s youth and requested the Wisconsin State Fair Board Chairman Herbert P. Velzer and Fair Administrator Vernon P. Wendland to act on his request. Azzolina handpicked a musical staff to select and train the Kids at their first 17-day camp. More than 400 young entertainers were auditioned, and 60 achieved positions in the first edition of the Kids
From Wisconsin.
Since then, nearly 700 young artists have participated in the program with many going on to excel as performers, music educators, and top professionals in a wide variety of fields.
In 1982, Kids From Wisconsin,
Ltd. became an independent, non-profit corporation. A board of directors was formed, and a contract was negotiated with the State Fair for daily performances during its 11-day run each year. Kids maintains offices at the Fair Park administration building in West Allis, Wis.
Performances have included county fairs, festivals, and conventions throughout the continent. The musical revue has helped raise thousands of dollars for worthy charitable organizations. Kids From
Wisconsin
maintain a demanding schedule each summer, performing 65 to 70 shows during the months of June, July, and August.
“We are excited about having Kids From Wisconsin
perform at the Weill Center for the first time, for there is no more exciting way to see what young people are doing in our state,” stated Weill Center General Manager Randy Schwoerer. “Pat McCurdy started in Kids and look at him now, he is a Wisconsin treasure.”
The Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts is proud to bring this enthusiastic group of young performers to its stage. Ticket can be purchased at the Weill Center Ticket Office, 826 N. 8th St., between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by calling 920-208-3243. Go to www.weillcenter.com for more details and to preview other upcoming performances.
