Integris Credit Union and the Integris Community Foundation are thrilled to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Vanderhoof Children’s Theatre, a cornerstone of the Vanderhoof community that has brought joy and creativity to audiences for a quarter of a century. This year, they are celebrating 25 years in production with their biggest show yet, The Lion King Jr!
The Vanderhoof Children’s Theatre (VCT) is a dynamic group of dedicated volunteers and students from School District 91, grades 2 to 12, who come together twice a year to stage enchanting and magical theatrical performances for their community. The Integris Community Theatre, located in the Nechako Valley Secondary School’s auditorium, serves as the stage where these young performers bring their creativity to life.
Richard Wruth, the founder and director of VCT, talked about how theatre has positively impacted the lives of children and their families during a break in a busy rehearsal session. “If you watch a kid, let’s say, that starts in grade two – they come in as this shy, little kid. Yet, when the shows are done, and they are leaving [for the year], their parents and their teachers reach out and say, ‘This student is now participating more in class…not as shy… willing to step out of the box and try new things’,” Wruth said, “And then you have the older kids taken on the little kids, and they create these bonds together. It’s really cool to watch as they grow through the production.”
Wruth also shared how it’s been fantastic to see previous participants returning – not as children, but as parents bringing their children into the world of theatre. “We have previous kids who were involved in the [Vanderhoof Children’s Theatre] early years, where their own kids are now involved in the theatre. So now you see parents who were with their kids in theatre, and now those parents have become grandparents and have their kids being the parents with their own kids in the theatre – that’s three generations of the same family all involved in the same thing.”
He emphasized the inclusivity of the theatre group, stating, “It brings all groups of kids together. It’s an inclusive group; it doesn’t matter what you identify with – you’re included.” “Kids can still be mean, but I always tell them, ‘You are a giant family; we may not always get along – but we have to work together and get through. We need to support each other in good and bad and get through it.'”
Although the show appears to run smoothly on stage, a group of volunteers consisting of members of the community and parents work tirelessly to make it happen. Some of these parents have children who have already graduated and are no longer performing, but they remain a part of the VCT because of their strong sense of community within the theatre. This dedicated team of volunteers works hard to construct sets and costumes and operate the production effectively. New costumes and sets are designed and created every year to fit perfectly into the Integris Community Theatre. While the actors and actresses rehearse and perform, these volunteers do everything they can to ensure that the show goes on, even if it means making costume adjustments and repairs during a performance.
In 2015, the Integris Community Foundation granted $150,000 over three years to School District 91, allowing the purchase of new auditorium equipment, including LED lights, a sound and insulation system, a high-definition screen and projector, and collapsible padded seating for the auditorium. This investment has significantly enhanced the quality of performances and community events, including those by the Vanderhoof Children’s Theatre.
Ken Young, Principal of Nechako Valley Secondary School, expressed the grant’s impact over the years:
“The Integris Community Foundation is delighted to invest in the Vanderhoof Children’s Theatre for the replacement of much-needed production communication equipment,” says Ken Young, Chair of the Integris Foundation Committee. “Over the last 25 years, Richard Wruth, the Vanderhoof Children’s Theatre (VCT) and the VCT’s countless volunteers have made an immeasurable and sustained impact here in the Nechako Valley for youth, their families and in the lives of so many residents/audiences. And now, it’s so cool to see the generational aspect given that parents who were, at one time, performers and volunteers are now in the audience witnessing their kids perform and volunteer! Since 2003, the Integris Foundation has invested over $1.3 million into projects in Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fraser Lake and the surrounding region – including a $150,000 grant to School District 91 to enhance the Integris Community Theatre (formerly the small auditorium at NVSS). It is so satisfying to see the Integris Foundation’s investments overlap in this way – an incredible space to perform and now the communications equipment that will enhance VCT productions for years to come! We are so proud of Richard, the VCT kids and our supportive community and we are pleased to be able to support the VCT with a grant from the Integris Foundation,” concludes Young.
As part of its ongoing commitment to community enrichment, the Integris Community Foundation has recently contributed to further improving the VCT experience. This year, the VCT received a grant of $9,000 for an upgraded communications system, greatly enhancing the production’s coordination and overall flow.
Wruth was grateful and excited about receiving the grant, as he recognized the need to improve the production volunteers’ communication system during each performance. “For this year, with all the different pieces and animals and things in motion, I knew we needed a better communication system – cause just within this production alone we have 12 mics and [before receiving the grant] we only had 8. So now, with the funding from Integris Community Foundation – we have up to 16 mics we can use! That is a blessing. Because before, for example, when we’re preforming – I would have no idea if we were good to go to the next scene. Now we can have someone say, ‘Giraffes are off, Elephant doors are closed,’ I know we’re good to proceed with the show. It adds such a level of flow to the production; it’s amazing!”
Follow the Vanderhoof Children’s Theatre on social media to learn more about this incredible group, including future performances.
To learn more about how Integris continues to support initiatives that unite and empower our communities, visit our Community Enrichment webpage.
Since 2002, the Integris Community Foundation has Invested over $1.2 million in community projects throughout Integris’ Western Region – Vanderhoof, Fort St. James, Fraser Lake and the surrounding communities.
