Standing Ovations the World over have made Jason Hewlett a Must-See Show Experience! His resume includes high-end Corporate Events, Headlining City Celebrations, Annual Association Meetings, Private Parties, Fundraising Benefits and Major Network Television Appearances.
With his never offensive brand of Comedy, high-energy tempo, mixed with incredible Musical Impressions Jason Hewlett is what Event Planners everywhere are calling “The Greatest Show we’ve ever had…the only way to top this next year is to have you back!”
Jason appears regularly in Las Vegas entertaining at venues such as: The Venetian, Mandalay Bay, The Four Seasons, The Monte Carlo, and The Rio. Jason has shared the stage with Vince Gill, The Temptations, Macy Gray, The Osmonds, Garth Brooks, America, Rita Coolidge, and Mickey Gilley among many other celebrities. He has performed with the world-renowned “Legends In Concert” of Las Vegas, as well as on CBS’s Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon with an audience of over 20 Million Viewers.
Jason has received critical acclaim for his 4.5 Octave singing voice that can mimic numerousartists, from the bass singer of The Temptations to Louie Armstrong all the way up to Tiny Tim and Alvin & The Chipmunks! What many people are surprised to hear is Jason's own voice and the uniqueness of his sound. Many event attendees have walked away "fans" of Jason due to hearing his own touching original compositions mixed into his show of hilarious impressions.
On April 3, 2001, Chad Hymas's life was changed instantaneously when a one ton bale of hay broke his neck leaving him a quadriplegic. Doctors and others said that he would never walk again, and would be confined to an electric wheelchair for the rest of his life. Chad dreams were NOT paralyzed that day. He is the President of his own communications company. The author of a book entitled Soaring to new Heights. Chad is a world class wheelchair athlete playing basketball, full contact quad rugby, hang-gliding, snow skiing, and he races marathons.
In July of 2003, Chad set new world record by wheeling a personal marathon of over 500 miles from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas. Also in 2003, Chad was one of two recipients in the state of Utah to be awarded the Super Civilian Award. Yet his greatest accomplishment is that he remains a devoted husband to his loving wife, Shondell, and proud father of 3 boys and his one little sweetheart daughter. They currently reside in Rush Valley,
Utah on a 200-acre wildlife preserve.
Chad travels as many as 150,000 miles a year, all over the world speaking to hundreds of professional and civic organizations such as Wells Fargo, Blue Cross Blue Shield, AT&T, Rainbird, IHC, American Express, Prudential Life, Vast FX, Zion Securities, and others.
His message is inspiring! His experiences amazing!
Upstage Theatre for Youth began in the year 2000 with founder Kerynne Vance, who saw the need for a youth theatre in the Payson area. She started Upstage with very little money, but with hope for its future. Now, in 2010, Kerynne has moved, but her legacy lives on. We are a completely nonprofit organization with a board of six members. Our motto is “Building Youth Through Theatre.”
Our organization is totally dedicated to the youth of Payson and its surrounding areas. Board members are not paid. Upstage is run entirely by volunteers. We attempt two plays a year, with a cast of at least 60 in each. Each play averages $10,000, with about half of that in profit. That profit goes directly into the next production.
We are teaching our youth, improving their talents and their self esteem. Every part of Upstage is a way for kids to learn and grow. The directors are often youth who started as cast members. When the kids are 18, we encourage them to try directing or assist in directing. The backstage is also run by youth. The crew behind the scenes, including those in charge of props, consists of youth who learned the ropes from the crew before them. We encourage the youth to help in building, designing and painting our set, under the supervision of the directors. Manning concessions stands also provides opportunities to help finish service projects for scouting or Young Women. Costumes are usually provided by a parent volunteer with help from parents of the cast, but we have often employed the youth to help make costumes for plays. Tickets are even sold by the cast.We try to make sure that everything Upstage does (within reason) can be performed by the youth. Each responsibility gives kids the opportunity to feel good about their accomplishments.
Putting together a play takes a small army of parent and civic volunteers. Board members take turns producing the plays, and they also help directors choose youth to fill positions and help with all aspects of the play. Together we try to ensure that we put together a quality production that that the whole family will want to see. We pay regular price for the use of city buildings without any assistance from the city.
The ages of participating youth ranges from 5 to 18. Each pays a $40 fee, which covers the cost of a T-shirt with the play’s logo, cast parties, and occasionally helps with the cost of costumes. From start to finish, each production keeps everyone in the cast busy for about five months, including learning music, dance and parts.
Upstage Theatre for Youth is all about the kids. We want to keep this organization running so that it can continue to serve the youth, allowing more and more opportunities for growth. At present, there is still one aspect of our organization that we must hire someone to do, and that is sound. For several years we have wanted to purchase our own sound equipment and teach the kids how to fully manage the sound for the shows. But because we don’t make enough profit on any production, and with the economy as it has been, we have been unable to even consider this option. Even with the few grants that we have received we have been unable to purchase the equipment.
It is our great desire to make this fundraiser something that will involve the entire community. It will be an amazing event that will allow the community to see what Upstage can really do. We hope that the community will support us by attending. Our promise to you is that you will leave at the end of this night amazed that you paid so little for your ticket. We appreciate all who have faithfully supported us, and we are hoping for your continued support.
Upstage Theatre for Youth
Board of Directors
Michelle Fitzwater, Norma Barnum, Dawn Garrett, Lisa Hansen, Elizabeth Coughanour, Carrie Houtz, Adam Cannon & Shaelynn Meyer
For Questions regarding Upstage Theatre for Youth or this fundraiser. Please email us at upstagetheatreforyouth@gmail.com
Kerynne Vance "Our Founder"
As a high school student, I participated in three musicals: "Brigadoon," with my older sister, Wendy, "Music Man," and "Annie Get Your Gun." These stage experiences ignited a love of theatre and theatre people that has never left me. I grew personally from the experience, and so did those who participated right along with me. When we lived in Arizona, we had seen a wonderful production of "Charlotte's Web," at the Chandler Center for the Performing Arts, put on by young actors. It was delightful. I was very impressed with the quality of the production, and I discovered that children can perform amazingly well. Eventually, we produced the very same version of "Charlotte's Web" at Peteentneet, with Upstage Theatre. In 2000, when we moved to Payson from Provo, I saw the Peteetneet Academy as a great spot to hold theatre productions. I wanted youth in the area, especially, my own children, to have the wonderful experiences that I knew theatre provides. A short time prior to our move, I had taken a theatre production class at UVU, and learned all the ins and outs of theatre production. I saw theatre production as an adventure upon which I was anxious to embark. I saw the potential at Peteetneet, and pursued my dream of starting a theatre company for youth. I envisioned selling sponships, or ads, and concessions to pay for production costs. I dreamed of building an actual theatre of our own, just for young people. I imagined young people being involved in every aspect of the production, from props, sets, lighting, stage managing, and sound, to choreography, and directing. Young people can do amazing things when given the opportunity. I am so grateful to have been a part of Upstage Theatre for Youth, to have known the wonderful young people with whom I was able associate, and for the opportunities and friendships it has provided, and continues to provide for our own daughter, Elizabeth. It has changed our lives for good. The only way any undertaking is successful, is with the undying dedication and hard work of many talented people. No one person can do it alone. I want to publically thank some of the many amazing people whose generosity, love of children and theatre, and talents have made Upstage possible. Kathleen Schramm - costumes, Helen Scott - Peteetneet, Brigitte Eastman - props, Afton Ericksen Lovell - music, Trudy Peck - many capacities, Kristi Peck - various roles, Cindy Coughanour - hair and make-up, Christy Petrucka - costumes and music, Al Ricci - director, Kristal Keele Thompson - director, choreographer, Steve Keele - set design, Linda and Wayne Pullan - set design, Lyle Vance - countless supports, Craig Zeeman - Sound, Lisa Hansen - musician and mentor extrordinaire, and of course the wonderfully talented group of women and men who make up the current board of directors and their famillies, and so many many other parents, friends, and volunteers who make doing shows a possibility, and make dreams a reality. Thank you for continuing to keep my dream alive!
