The WACOSA Players Present – The Great Pie Contest Mystery Story
The whole town is getting excited for the Apple Pie Contest where the best apple pie in the land will be named. The Clumsy Chef and his assistant chef, Jimmy, are struggling to make a good pie so, much to Jimmy’s objection, the Clumsy Chef decides the only way to compete would be to steal a pie from Dayna’s Café, who is also busy trying to get ready to present their pie for the contest. Chaos and many laughs ensue as the whole town gets involved in the Great Pie Contest Mystery Story.
The cast of The Great Pie Contest Mystery Story participated in 3 one hour on-stage acting classes at the Paramount Center for the Arts in St. Cloud, MN, with Theatre Instructor Heather Mastromarco. The classes included multiple interactive theatre activities designed to allow everyone to shine as a star of the show. The cast chose their characters for the play and developed the story during WACOSA’s weekly Theatre Fun 101 Connect Academy class. When asked about the impact of acting for people with disabilities, Mastromarco shares, “Acting is a powerful tool for empowerment and self-expression. It can be particularly beneficial for adults with disabilities, providing them with the opportunity to develop social skills, build confidence, and explore their creativity in a supportive environment.”
Nancy Betts, WACOSA’s Executive Director shares, “I’m particularly proud of the cast’s dedication and hard work. Their participation in the acting classes at the Paramount Center for the Arts, along with the collaborative spirit they demonstrated during the Connect Academy class, is truly inspiring. They have brought this story to life in a way that is both humorous and heartwarming. This type of activity is a great example of how donor dollars make such a big impact; this activity is a direct result of the gifts we receive from our donors.”
We’re excited to announce – there is more to come!
The Paramount Center for the Arts has received a $7,500 grant from the Zaun Family Fund of Central Minnesota Community Foundation to expand programming for adults with disabilities. Paramount Center for the Arts plans to use this generous funding in the Spring of 2024 for Empowered Stars: An On-Stage Educational Experience with WACOSA!
A draft outline includes:
- March through May – Hold regular theatre rehearsals at WACOSA
- April – Attend Great Theatre’s production of Footloose as a group
- June – Performance at the Paramount Center for the Arts with props, costumes, and scenic elements
Stay tuned! As we get more information about the performance in June 2023 we will post on our website, social media, and email. A big thank you to WACOSA donors, The Paramount Center for the Arts, instructor Heather Mastromarco, volunteers Terry Hess, Rick Cicharz, and Trish Soltis, WACOSA staff, and the WACOSA Players. Thank you also to the Zaun Family Fund of Central Minnesota Community Foundation for supporting adults with disabilities and the arts in our community.
Some of the cast and volunteers from The Great Pie Contest Mystery Story.
Radio DJ John and Storyteller Heather performing in WACOSA’s The Great Pie Contest Mystery Story.
Some of the cast from WACOSA’s The Great Pie Contest Mystery Story.
Amani, Dayna and Kate preparing to perform in the play The Great Pie Contest Mystery Story