The 2005 production of Disney's Aladdin Jr. performed July 7th and 8th was a huge success. This being a more contemporary musical than usually done seemed to spark enthusiasm by our child actors as well as our audiences. This production was directed by Susan Litner Rayburn in her 8th year with Fendig Chilren's Theatre. She will be missed for the "professional" productions she produces by her attention to details. She is taking a sabatical from directing for the next few years. In her first year with us, Jessica Mercer was our Assistant Director. She brought a great deal of theatre knowledge and energy to this year's production. Our Musical Director, Claudia Earnest, also did an outstanding job in her 14th year with Fendig Children's Theatre. Last but certainly not least, Ruth Anne Bontreger brought her ever present creativity and invaluable talent as Costume Designer for her 10th year. We are fortunate to have all these talented folks as well as a devoted board and countless people behind the scenes who make our productions so spectacular.
 
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The Fendig Summer Theatre for Children began as the Rensselaer Children's Theatre in 1976. Through the diligent work of its first Board of Directors: William Moriarty, Pat Collins, Robert Garity, Bonnie Louck, Gwen Potter, Judy Steiner and Helen Watts, the theatre produced its first production, The Pied Piper.
The goal for this non-profit community organization is to produce one full-length musical play each summer. Begun as a cautious experiment, the theatre grew. The first production of this theatre allowed children in grades one through eight to participate. Soon it became necessary to limit its actors and actresses to students in grades three through eight, and then four through eight. Every child who auditions is given a role. Children who wish to assist the production with make-up, set construction, publicity or as a member of the technical crew are welcomed. At this time it is open only to children residing in Rensselaer Indiana school district.
The philosophy of this theatre is to let children run the entire performance. Our directors spend many hours teaching the children every aspect of theatre, try outs are held in late May with practices beginning in June. When the performance night arrives our directors step aside and allow the children to put on their show. There are no adults backstage or handling the technical aspects. It is all done by the children!
In the fall of 1988 Ralph Fendig, a retired merchant, generously endowed the theatre. His love of children and theatre helped make it possible to expand the theatre's productions. Thus the Rensselaer Children's Summer Theatre became the Ralph and Lilian Fendig Summer Theatre for Children.
Over the last thirty years, the Fendig Summer Theatre for Children has sustained quality performances. This has been made possible by the generosity of parents, citizens, and community businesses. We are always in need of donations for our costume warehouse, clothing, hats,& fabric are just a few items we greatly appreciate. The Board of Directors extend a heartfelt thanks to all of our patrons for thirty years of support. We look forward to thirty more years of excellent productions.
 
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History of Performances:
The Pied Piper (1976)
Oliver! (1977)
The Hobit (1978)
The King and I (1979)
The Music Man (1980)
Bye Bye Birdie (1981)
The Sound of Music (1982)
Nicholas Nickleby (1983)
Annie (1984)
Barnum (1985)
The Wiz (1986)
Hello, Dolly! (1987)
45 Minutes from Broadway (1988)
Oklahoma (1989)
Guys and Dolls (1990)
South Pacific (1991)
The Music Man (1992)
The King and I (1993)
Brigadoon (1994)
Peter pan (1995)
Lil Abner (1996)
The Wizard of Oz (1997)
Annie (1998)
The Pirates of Penzance (1999)
Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (2000)
The Sound of Music (2001)
Cinderella (2002)
Annie Get Your Gun (2003)
The Wiz (2004)
Disney's Aladin Jr. (2005)
 
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Paula McKnight (219)866-5593
Treasurer Jim Earnest
Secretary Cheryl Torbet
Members Pam Sayler, Janice Mercer, Deb Parmele, Butch Pattengale, Angie Pattengale, Ericka Elijah, Jeff Gastineau, Vohney Witt
 
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Rensselaer, IN 47978
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Contact Person: Paula McKnight
 

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