Music Theatre of Wichita

Music Theatre of Wichita
Name	Music Theatre of Wichita
Address	225 West Douglas Avenue
City	Wichita, Kansas
Country	United States
Capacity	1,923 (Century II Concert Hall)
Type	Regional theatre in the United States
Opened	1972
Production	Musical theatre

Music Theatre of Wichita. Founded in 1972, it is one of the nation's premier regional musical theatre institutions, operating under a LORT contract and producing a summer season of large-scale musicals. Based in Wichita, Kansas, the organization is renowned for its professional productions that often feature talent from Broadway and national tours, alongside emerging artists. Its mission extends beyond performance to include significant training and educational programs for young people throughout the region.

History

The organization was established in 1972 by a group of civic leaders including John D. Leahy and initially performed at the Cessna Activity Center. Its early success led to a move in 1974 to the newly built Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center, where it became a resident company. Under the longstanding artistic direction of Wayne Bryan, who joined in 1979, the theatre's reputation for artistic excellence and ambitious programming grew substantially. Key milestones include the launch of its educational wing in the 1980s and numerous subsequent productions that transferred to or featured artists destined for major stages like the Kennedy Center and Paper Mill Playhouse.

Productions

The company presents a summer season of four to five major musicals, encompassing classic works from the Golden Age and contemporary hits. Notable past productions include acclaimed stagings of *Les Misérables*, The Music Man, West Side Story, and Miss Saigon. It has also developed new works and regional premieres, such as *The Hunchback of Notre Dame*. Productions frequently employ members of Actors' Equity Association and utilize lavish sets and costumes, with orchestral support from the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and other professional musicians.

Education and outreach

Its educational division, known as MTWichita, operates extensive training programs including summer camps, workshops, and the prestigious MTWichita Ambassador program for high school students. The organization partners with Wichita Public Schools and districts across Kansas to provide student matinee performances and in-school residencies. Outreach initiatives like the "Spotlight Series" offer discounted tickets to community groups, while collaborations with institutions like Friends University and Wichita State University provide collegiate-level training opportunities.

Facilities

Primary performances are held in the 1,923-seat Century II Concert Hall, a city-owned venue designed by the firm of Charles M. Goodman. The organization's administrative offices, rehearsal studios, and costume/scenic shops are located in a dedicated facility at 225 West Douglas Avenue in downtown Wichita. This complex supports the construction of all production elements in-house, a capability rare among regional theatres.

Leadership and organization

The theatre operates as a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors, with key leadership historically provided by Producing Artistic Director Wayne Bryan. Management includes an executive director overseeing business operations and a large seasonal staff of directors, choreographers, designers, and technicians. It holds a LORT contract and maintains collective bargaining agreements with Actors' Equity Association, United Scenic Artists, and the American Federation of Musicians.

Awards and recognition

The organization has received multiple awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Kansas Arts Commission. It has been recognized with several National Youth Arts Awards for its educational impact. Individual productions and artists have garnered critical acclaim in publications like The Wichita Eagle and *American Theatre*, and the theatre is consistently cited as a major cultural asset within the Midwestern United States.

Category:Musical theatre companies in the United States Category:Organizations based in Wichita, Kansas Category:Theatres in Kansas Category:1972 establishments in Kansas