Junior Theater Looking To Update
After 36 years, Davenport Junior Theatre’s Mary Fluhrer-Nighswander Theatre once again seeks key renovations.
“We are replacing the theatre seating, installing new carpet, repainting the interior, repairing subflooring and more,” said DJT’s Artistic Director and alum, Daniel Sheridan. “We’ve made great use of this space over the last few decades. We pride ourselves in making our resources last. The time has come to ensure the theatre is in good working order for future generations of students.”
Founded in 1951, Davenport Junior Theatre is the nation’s second-oldest children’s theatre. Classes and camps are offered year-round in theatre and dance for students ages three to eighteen. Classes are as varied as acting, improvisation, musical theatre, and theatrical design. In the quickly-growing dance division – which is only six years old – young dancers learn poise, confidence and healthy body image while having fun and making friends in a non-competitive dance environment. DJT also holds a Spectrum Theatre program, serving youth on the autism spectrum or any challenge that may inhibit communication. Through all these opportunities, DJT prepares kids for a lifetime of success, no matter what path their lives may take.
The City of Davenport Parks & Recreation Department approached Junior Theatre Inc. with a proposal. The City would pledge $70,000 to renovate the space if Junior Theatre Inc. could leverage the remaining $80,000-$90,000. However, the funds must be raised for the project by late April in order to complete the renovation in September 2017.
“We couldn’t say no,” said Board President and DJT Alum, Kristin Meyer. “We knew it would be a challenge, but we believed we could make this happen by seeking support from grant agencies, local businesses and DJT’s long history of alumni.”
To date, the organization has received a $30,000 grant from the Scott Country Regional Authority and $12,000 from advanced pledges to the renovation. Junior Theatre launched its campaign to the public this last Tuesday and has started to receive a steady stream of donations.
“We have a long way to go,” added Meyer. “Raising $40,000 by the end of April is a heavy lift for us. But Davenport Junior Theatre has served so many QC citizens over the years we believe the support is out there.”
“Kids like me who go through the program grow up to be more responsible and inclusive citizens with a spirit of hard work and respect for everyone,” said Grace Hipple, student president of the Junior Board at DJT and senior at Davenport Central. “DJT helped me embrace who I am, and navigate my childhood and teenage years with the confidence that I mattered. Personally, I can look forward to college and a future career as a lawyer keeping in mind the slogan told to all DJT students: Be brave, be bold and have fun!”
Bonnie Guenther, former DJT program director from 1990-2005, began her involvement with DJT back in the 1960’s. Mrs. Guenther was instrumental in the fundraising campaign to find a home for Junior Theatre. She worked with DJT founders Mary Fluhrer-Nighswander and Leone Bredbeck (the original Showtime Pal). This campaign lasted from 1965 – 1981. In 1981, she was directly involved with the restoration on a daily basis.
“From 1951-1981, Junior Theater moved about 15 different times,” said Guenther. “We were blessed to find a home at the Wittenmyer Complex thanks to the hard work of so many. The renovation today is needed as the usage of this public building has increased over the years – just as predicted when the original fund drive started.”
In 2008, the program saw annual enrollment of about 400. In 2017, the program is on course to see over 1,700 enrolments with kids from over 20 different QC region cities and towns.
“Many people ask us to explain our growth,” said Sheridan. “There is no big trick to it. Any adult staffer at Junior Theatre is here in service of the kids. This is the kids’ theatre and dance program, not ours. We are here to serve them and constantly strive to improve. I am lucky to work alongside some of the Quad Cities most passionate teachers and artists.”
“Mary, our founder, would be very proud that DJT has not been content to stay the way she left it,” said Meyer. “She would be excited to see more options for the kids to experience all aspects of theatre. She would applaud that DJT always seeks ways to serve more kids, ensuring they are challenged to grow in presenting ever more professional productions and building skills to last a lifetime.”
“I am extremely proud of the students and the families that I worked so closely with when I was allowed to nurture the program over the decades,” added Guenther. “The theatre continues with my former students as supervisors, mentors, teachers and technical staff. I am proud to see them not only at Junior Theatre, but spread across America serving their communities. In this rapidly changing world we live in – new methods, advanced technologies, and extreme world conditions – basic principles of speech and conversation needs to be nurtured in every child.”
Junior Theatre Inc is reaching out to the community at large for support. Contributions may be mailed to Davenport Junior Theatre or made online at the DJT website. Junior Theatre Inc is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization.
For more information contact Artistic Director, Daniel Sheridan at Davenport Junior Theatre, 2822 Eastern Avenue, Davenport, IA 52803, 563-326-7862, www.DavenportJuniorTheatre.org.
