The Central Wisconsin Educational Theatre Alliance (CWETA) originally began in 1993 as The Wausau Area Shakespeare Project. The intent was to bring together students and staff from area high schools to produce a Shakespearean play. From this original idea “The Project” has evolved into a multi-faceted attempt to touch the lives of thousands of people. Students, teachers and audience members have been involved in workshops, rehearsals, classes, and performances for the past fifteen years, and as the project has evolved it has gained the recognition and the respect of the school districts involved as well as the community. The focus for the first three years was strictly Shakespearean plays, and six of the previous ten productions have been Shakespeare’s works. We have however expanded our mission and the scope of the project to include Children’s Theatre as well as Broadway Musicals. The success of our previous productions– Shrek the Musical, Mary Poppins, Les Miserables, Peter Pan, CATS, and The Phantom of the Opera, has proven that musical theatre is a rich genre which has allowed those involved to explore their own talents and imaginations in a format that is well-received by the community. Those who have been involved in the Project for the past fifteen years feel that we have created a set of circumstances that have allowed for an open flow of talent and growth for the students involved. We have reached our goal with this project by creating an environment where young people can explore their own talents and imaginations, and see the value and joy to be found in the art of the theatre.
