logo

TL suitcase stories visits area schools

November 15, 2024

New program brings student stories to life

Theatre Lawrence has been packing our suitcase and heading out. No, we’re not running away to join the circus. We have been visiting area schools with our new outreach program, Suitcase Stories.


What is Suitcase Stories?


It all started with a simple suitcase. Theatre Lawrence’s Educator Director Emily Giles and local playwright Debra A. Cole filled the suitcases with interesting items to inspire young writers. During three class periods, the students created characters, locations, and plots for the perfect stories, and then…they wrote. Next, Emily and Deb read the stories and picked a few to adapt into original shorts plays. Add a talented group of local actors, and Suitcase Stories comes to life. Young students can see what their creative writing efforts can produce.


The Theatre Lawrence Suitcase Stories Project spurs students’ imagination, sparks creativity, and empowers students with tools for artistic self-expression and communication.


While all of the children’s stories cannot be performed, all can be compiled into a booklet for the young authors to treasure. We are quite proud of the work of our young students! We also want to extend a hug thank you to our actors who are bringing these stories to life!


Sponsored by


It is due to generous donations to the DCCF "Giving for Good" campaign that we are able to offer this program to five classrooms this fall free of charge. We appreciate their support of our work to go into the community and share our love of storytelling and live theatre with Lawrence area children.


Look for the 2024 "Giving for Good" campaign beginning Dec. 1.

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

Theatre Lawrence News & Announcements

Lawrence St Patrick's Day parade committee awards TL $20,000

April 11, 2025
Theatre Lawrence thanks Lawrence St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee for awarding us $20,000 as a beneficiary of this year's "parade season." This funding will be used to support youth education programming at the theatre, including continuing our suitcase story program, youth productions, scholarship opportunities, and the Penguin Project. Throughout the early part of the year there were many fundraising events sponsored by the committee to raise funds for children's charities in our community. Theatre Lawrence was one of three local non-profits selected as beneficiaries this year. The other two are 100 Good Women and Ecumenical Campus Ministry. Theatre Lawrence expresses our deepest thanks to everyone involved in the St Patrick's Day organization for supporting us this year and everything they do for the community. Pictured above are TL executive director, Jamie Ulmer, Harper Anderson who represented us as our queen candidate, and education director Emily Giles. The Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade began in 1988 and is more than a one-day event. The committee runs more than 10 events throughout the year to raise money to support Douglas County area organizations that support children. Since 1998 the organization has donated more than $1.2 million. Learn more about the organization at https://lawrencestpatricksdayparade.com/

A little "theatre magic"

By Emily Giles • March 25, 2025
One phrase that gets thrown around when working with young people on theatrical projects is “theatre magic!” When we enter production week and it looks like we are miles away from where we want to be, I have been known to say, “Let’s just hope ‘theatre magic’ kicks in!” Or when parents ask, “how do you get all those kids to do what they are supposed to do on stage with just five days of rehearsal?” I half jokingly respond “theatre magic.” When I say “theatre magic” am I really thinking the theatre gods will look down on us at that moment and shower us with magic dust to pull all the various pieces together? No, I do not. So what do I mean when I say “theatre magic?” I define “theatre magic” as three parts the overwhelming human need to be a part of something bigger than oneself, two parts the human need to be involved with something creative, one part desire to do a good job, and/or show off A pinch panic that the clock is ticking! Throughout my 20 plus years of working with youth in theatre, “theatre magic” has never let me down, but sometimes it does try my patience by waiting until the last minute to show up! I think giving youth the opportunity to be involved in a theatrical production is magical, and something every child should have the chance to be a part of during childhood!

Kansas Theatre Festival results

March 25, 2025
Theatre Lawrence hosted the Kansas Community Theatre Festival on March 22. It was the first time Kansas has held a state community theatre festival in a number of years. Three theatres brought productions. This was the state-level festival as part of the American Association of Community Theatre festival cycle. Congratulations to Theatre Salina and their production of THE REVOLUNTIONISTS for being selected to advance to the regional festival April 4-5 in Newton, Iowa. Learn more about AACT and the national festival, this June in Des Moines, Iowa here . Festival Awards: Outstanding Production: THE REVOLUTIONISTS (Theatre Salina) 1st Runner-up: NATURAL SHOCKS (Manhattan Arts Center) 3rd Place: PETER/WENDY (Theatre Atchison) Outstanding Ensemble: THE REVOLUNTIONISTS (Theatre Salina) Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role Elizabeth-Ali Schade – THE REVOLUTIONISTS (Theatre Salina) Gin Hoffman – THE REVOLUNTIONISTS (Theatre Salina) Andrea Price – NATURAL SHOCKS (Manhattan Arts Center) Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role Breanna Danielle – PETER/WENDY (Theatre Atchison) Jessica Gigstad – PETER/WENDY (Theatre Atchison) Joshua Delfs – PETER/WENDY (Theatre Atchison) Outstanding Direction – Michael Spicer THE REVOLUNTIONISTS (Theatre Salina) Outstanding Costumes – April Flasschoen PETER/WENDY (Theatre Atchison) Outstanding Costumes & Wigs – Jenn Morris THE REVOLUNTIONISTS (Theatre Salina) Outstanding Lighting and Sound Design – J.R. Lidgett THE REVOLUNTIONISTS (Theatre Salina) Outstanding Fight Choreography – Chick Pulliam PETER/WENDY (Theatre Atchison)
More Posts
Share by: