History

Photo Highlights

Timeline

2023

Programming:
Produced Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with live orchestra at the Forest Roberts Theatre
Produced Honk Jr. at Lake Superior Theatre
Held Theatre Summer Camps in Marquette and Negaunee

2022

Programming:
Produced Seussical with live orchestra at the Forest Roberts Theatre
Tech and Design Workshop Series
Hosted the Tech Olympics
Produced Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr. at Lake Superior Theatre
Held Theatre Summer Camps In Marquette
Produced Madagascar: A Musical Adventure at the Forest Roberts Theatre

2021

Programming:
Produced The Animation Series streamed on broadwayworld.com
More Than a Match by Aaron Shepard
Piglet by Brian Armstrong
Lady Washington by Tyler Dwiggins
Produced Happiness is Homemade by Quinn Xavier Hernandez streamed on YouTube
Produced the Virtual Choir Part II
Youth Artists in Action Club formed (first meeting June 5th)
Produced All the World’s a Stage at Lake Superior Theatre
Produced Storybook Cabaret at Lake Superior Theatre
Tech and Design Workshop Series
Produced Disney’s Descendants: The Musical at the Forest Roberts Theatre

2020

Programming:
Produced Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical with live orchestra at the Forest Roberts Theatre 
SAYT On the Road Touring Production of The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon converted to an animation show 
Produced digital programming—The Ghostlight Series—during the COVID-19 shutdown:
Cold Readings Series
Answers From the Field
Dance Series
View all Ghostlight activities.
Co-produced the Peter White Public Library COVID-19 safety video 
Produced the Musical Medley Video streamed on Facebook

2019

Programming:
Produced Disney’s Newsies: The Broadway Musical at the Forest Roberts Theatre
Produced a Play Festival at the James A. Panowski Black Box Theatre and Forest Roberts Theatre featuring productions of:
Hansel and Gretel
William Shakespeare’s As You Like It
The Brave Little Tailor
Produced Legally Blonde the Musical Jr. at the Forest Roberts Theatre as part of the North Coast Theatre and Dance Festival
Produced Into the Woods Jr. at Lake Superior Theatre
Produced Disney’s Frozen Jr. at the Forest Roberts Theatre

Investments:
The part-time administrative assistant position expanded to 20 hours per week. 
March 20-23, 2019 Executive Director, Jalina McClain, and Administrative Assistant, Susan Candey, travel to Louisville, KY to attend the USITT19 Conference & Stage Expo and the Humana Festival at Actors Theatre. This trip was made possible through a professional development grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

2018

Programming:
Produced Peter Pan with live orchestra at the Forest Roberts Theatre
Produced the first-ever SAYT Play Series at the James A. Panowski Black Box Theatre featuring productions of:
Charlotte’s Web
William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Produced High School Musical Jr. at Lake Superior Theatre
Produced Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. at the Forest Roberts Theatre

2017

Programming:
Produced Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
Produced Kids Sing Broadway at the Panowski Black Box
Produced Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr. at Lake Superior Theatre
Produced Shrek JR. November 16-19 at the Forest Roberts Theatre

Investments:
The youth theater transitions into being run by full-time Executive Director & Producer, Jalina McClain, and hires administrative assistant Susan Candey as Dave Dagenais leaves the organization.
SAYT purchases $14,000 worth of technical equipment for use by students and staff with grants from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Best Buy Foundation, Kiwanis of Marquette, and the Marquette Community Foundation. Also with support from River Valley Bank.

2016

Programming:
Produced The Wizard of Oz with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium 
Produced SAYT Cabaret with student director at the Panowski Black Box
Produced Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach Jr. at Lake Superior Theatre
Produced Disney’s The Lion King Jr. at Forest Roberts Theatre
Artist in Residency program with Marquette Area Public Schools 5th Grade 

Investments:
Dollars for Drama Fundraising Campaign exceeds $10,000 goal. 
The youth theater hires a full-time Managing Director, Jalina McClain (Olgren) and part-time Artistic Director, Dave Dagenais in July 2016 to replace Nikke Soni (Nason) as she leaves the organization.

2015

Programming:
Produced Disney’s Mary Poppins at Forest Roberts Theatre 
Produced Kids Sing Broadway at Kaufman Auditorium
Produced Once On This Island Jr. at Lake Superior Theatre
Produced Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at Kaufman Auditorium
Artist in Residency program with Marquette Area Public Schools 5th Grade 

Investments:
The youth theater forms an independent organization, Superior Arts Youth Theater, and granted 501 (c) 3 status. A full-time Executive Artistic Director, Nikke Nason, is hired. A part-time administrative assistant, Jalina McClain (Olgren) is hired to assist with finances and other administrative duties. An accounting firm is obtained for payroll and tax services.

2014

Programming:
Produced Seussical Jr. at Kaufman Auditorium 
Produced Kids Sing Broadway at Kaufman Auditorium
Produced Narnia at Lake Superior Theatre 
Produced The Music Man Jr. at Kaufman Auditorium 
Artist in Residency program with Marquette Area Public Schools 5th Grade 

Investments:
Over $20,000 in sound equipment is purchased to be shared with Lake Superior Theatre through fundraising efforts and a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

2013

Programming:
Produced Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Kaufman Auditorium
LSYT youth travel to see The Lion King
Produced original youth written production A Man Named Marquette in cooperation with the Marquette Beautification Committee and performed at Kaufman Auditorium in the spring for the schools and the public and produced for the public in the summer at Lake Superior Theatre.
Produced Honk Jr. at Lake Superior Theatre

Investments:
A full-time Executive Artistic Director, Nikke Nason, is hired to oversee the youth theater and Lake Superior Theater.

2012

Programming:
Produced Annie Jr. at Kaufman Auditorium – first production as new entity Lake Superior Youth Theatre
Produced The Mouse That Roared at Lake Superior Theatre

2011

Programming:
Produced Alice in Wonderland with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
Produced Willy Wonka Jr. at Lake Superior Theatre

Investments:
Lake Superior Theatre becomes an umbrella organization for the youth theatre program at the request of the City of Marquette. Name changed to Lake Superior Youth Theatre.

2010

Programming:
Produced Disney’s Beauty and the Beast with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
Produced Kids Sing Broadway at Kaufman Auditorium
Developed, workshopped, and produced original production of A Home for Me

2009

Programming:
Produced Once Upon A Mattress Jr.
Produced The Orphan Train a collaboration with Teaching Family Homes

2008

Programming:
Produced Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Kaufman Auditorium
Produced You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown with live orchestra

2007

Programming:
Produced Disney’s High School Musical with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium
Produced Kids Sing Broadway at Kaufman Auditorium

2006

Programming:
Produced Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at Kaufman Auditorium
Produced Into the Woods Jr. at the Northern Michigan University Black Box Theatre

2005

Programming:
Produced Kids Sing Broadway at the Masonic Building Red Room
Produced A Christmas Carol
Produced Honk Jr. at Lake Superior Theatre

2004

Programming:
Produced Kids Sing Broadway at the Peter White Public Library Community Room
Produced Dear Edwina, Jr. at Lake Superior Theatre
Produced Seussical the Musical with live orchestra at Forest Roberts Theatre

2003

Programming:
Produced Kids Sing Broadway at the Peter White Public Library Community Room
Produced Once On This Island, Jr. at the Presque Isle Bandshell 
Produced Oliver with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium

2002

Programming:
Produced Kids Sing Broadway at the Peter White Public Library Community Room
Produced Schoolhouse Rock, Jr. at the Presque Isle Bandshell
Produced Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with live orchestra at Kaufman Auditorium

Investments:
The City of Marquette hires Nikke Nason as the Arts Education Director. Her role is to lead and develop the youth theater program and assist with arts center operations and other youth arts programs.

2001

Programming:
Produced Annie Jr. at Kaufman Auditorium

2000

Investments:
The City of Marquette hires employees to assist in running the Arts Department, including Nikke Nason, then a student at Northern Michigan University, who forms the Marquette Arts and Culture Center Youth Theatre as a senior project.

1996 – 2000

Investments:
Creation of Arts Department and development of Arts and Culture Center at Peter White Public Library.

1995

Investments:
The Arts & Culture Coordinator position becomes full-time with the creation of the Arts and Culture Department.

1992

Investments:
The City of Marquette hires Arts & Culture Coordinator as a contracted position.


Yearly Events:

Superheroes Run – 5K, 10K, 1 Mile Fun Run!
Blueberry Festival Talent Show
Special fundraising events and performances
Summer Camps and Workshops

Other Producing/Directing/Dance and Concerts:

Ebenezer Scrooge Dance Production
Emily Dawn & Adam Whittington Concert
Back to School Youth Concert
Blueberry Dance Festival
Northern Vegans Carnival
Marquette Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert
Marquette Area Theatre Awards
Marquette Area Dance Competition

Support today’s youth and tomorrow’s future!

Superior Arts Youth Theater is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization.
Contributions provide scholarships and enhance the fine productions for the youth actors in Marquette, and it also offers you a charitable tax deduction.