"Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them." - Alfred North Whitehead
In 1982, over 100 area girls showed up at the Little Theatre of Jamestown to audition for a role in the upcoming production of “Annie”. With so many heartbroken little girls, Artistic Director Fredericka Woodard, came up with the idea to establish a children’s group of young area performers. Woodard gave the idea to Theatre Board Member, LTJ actress and friend, Helen Merrill. Merrill, along with longtime Little Theatre accompanist, Lucille Miller, established the group in 1983 – the Jr. Guilders is born!
“All the world’s a stage.” - William Shakespeare
Since its inception, the Jr. Guilders have traveled and performed across the country and abroad, including: The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC; The White House, Washington, DC; Opryland USA, Nashville, Tennessee; Patriot Park, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City as back up chorus for the late Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop; Hershey Park, Hershey, Pennsylvania; the Mel Tillis Theater, Branson, Missouri; Greenway School, Horsham, England; and Notre Dame and the Palace of Versailles, Paris, France.
On four separate appearances the Jr. Guilders have had the honor to perform within the Walt Disney World resort, Orlando, Florida and on three occasions have joined an ABBA tribute on the Amphitheatre stage at Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, New York. The group also holds the record for the longest continuous act in the history of the Chautauqua County Fair in Dunkirk, New York.
The organization puts on one stage show per year on the main stage of their home – the Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown and travels around the region performing at local churches, nursing homes, schools and service clubs. Their demanding repertoire includes Broadway, folk, jazz, blues and rock and roll all met with precise choreography.
In 1982, over 100 area girls showed up at the Little Theatre of Jamestown to audition for a role in the upcoming production of “Annie”. With so many heartbroken little girls, Artistic Director Fredericka Woodard, came up with the idea to establish a children’s group of young area performers. Woodard gave the idea to Theatre Board Member, LTJ actress and friend, Helen Merrill. Merrill, along with longtime Little Theatre accompanist, Lucille Miller, established the group in 1983 – the Jr. Guilders is born!
“All the world’s a stage.” - William Shakespeare
Since its inception, the Jr. Guilders have traveled and performed across the country and abroad, including: The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC; The White House, Washington, DC; Opryland USA, Nashville, Tennessee; Patriot Park, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City as back up chorus for the late Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop; Hershey Park, Hershey, Pennsylvania; the Mel Tillis Theater, Branson, Missouri; Greenway School, Horsham, England; and Notre Dame and the Palace of Versailles, Paris, France.
On four separate appearances the Jr. Guilders have had the honor to perform within the Walt Disney World resort, Orlando, Florida and on three occasions have joined an ABBA tribute on the Amphitheatre stage at Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, New York. The group also holds the record for the longest continuous act in the history of the Chautauqua County Fair in Dunkirk, New York.
The organization puts on one stage show per year on the main stage of their home – the Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown and travels around the region performing at local churches, nursing homes, schools and service clubs. Their demanding repertoire includes Broadway, folk, jazz, blues and rock and roll all met with precise choreography.
