When the lights go up Friday on “City of Angels” at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, playgoers will see the results of a project in preparation since Thanksgiving.
Wildwood Summer Theatre, which bills itself as “the area’s only all-youth theatre company,” is different from other community theaters because its members are ages 14 to 25. They run the company, do the music and technical work and act as musicians and performers.
“I think the best thing is that we are all learning new things in a very safe environment,” said Mattia D’Affuso, 20, of North Potomac.
D’Affuso was involved in theater at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville. He joined Wildwood last summer and this year, besides performing, is director of communications and a member of the board of directors.
“The company is very interesting. I think that’s because we are put in charge, together as a team of peers,” he said.
This year, the company’s youngest members are Christine Pash, 15, of Gaithersburg, a rising sophomore at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, and Stafford Nibley, 15, of Bethesda, a rising sophomore at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney.
At age 25, Alice Hawfield of Kensington has been with the company the longest. She is in her 10th season and, because of the age limit for members, her last.
“I feel this is a unique company because in a school setting, [where most of the members get to do theater] there is always someone older who is in charge. Here they have an opportunity to see how a production is produced, it’s a learning experience,” she said.
Hawfield said Wildwood inspired her professionally. She is the wardrobe director for “Oklahoma!” at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., is chairman of the Board of Wildwood and oversees many facets of “City of Angels,” she said.
Wildwood started in 1965 by students from Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, who “wanted to extend their high school musical experience into the summer,” according to the group’s website, www.wst.org.
The first performance was “Bye Bye Birdie” and the group has done a musical every year since.
The operating budget for this year’s production is more than $30,000. The bulk of expenses are for the rights to the show and renting rehearsal and performance space.
Wildwood is funded by grants, which are solicited by members, donations, $50 dues from company members and other fundraising efforts such as car washes and a street cabaret members perform on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda.
Members sell advertisements for the program and help with publicity.
New member Christine Pash said she doesn’t mind helping where she can.
“It’s great to work with the people, they are all so fun-loving. We are all a group and it doesn’t matter how old or young you are,” she said.
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