We often think of the world in terms of black and white, good and evil... light and dark. But what if it all goes together? Wonder if our shadows help define the light and vice versa? If the shades and refractions in between the contour lines help make it all deeper, more interesting, beautiful? Sometimes we have to go beneath the surface to find the realness. This work and portrayal takes vulnerability, trust, bravery and pays back tremendously. Perhaps, if we all embraced our inner quirks, our uniqueness, the world would become just a little more magical to all. Chiaroscuro (pronounced key-uh-roh-skuh-roh) is an Italian word meaning “light-dark.” In visual art, it refers to the use of light and dark elements to create a sense of volume and depth.

Our theatre, theatre in general, our actors, the world right now... we’re all looking for some light in the darkness. But also... maybe we can use some of that darkness to create beauty, add some depth, show that shadows and “dark and twisty” can help us feel connected, add humor, tell a story beyond what we THINK we’re experiencing.

With that, we present to you our 2025-2026 season: Chiaroscuro

The Addams Family, Jr.

Fall Mainstage Musical, Grades 7-12

Speaking of uniqueness... Have you ever felt SO unique that it seemed like you were living in a different reality than the rest of the world? That maybe you weren’t “normal” like everyone else? This story is one of belonging, family, and opening minds. In the kooky, upside-down world of the Addams Family, to be sad is to be happy, to feel pain is to feel joy, and death and suffering are the stuff of their dreams. The Addamses have lived by their unique values for hundreds of years and Gomez and Morticia would be only too happy to continue living that way. Their daughter Wednesday, however, is now a young adult who is ready for a life of her own. She has fallen in love with Lucas, a sweet, smart boy from a normal, respectable Ohio family — the most un-Addams sounding person one could be! And to make matters worse, she has invited Lucas’s family to their home for dinner. In one fateful, hilarious night, secrets are disclosed, relationships are tested, and the Addams family must face up to the one horrible thing they’ve managed to avoid for generations: change.

Peter Pan

Winter Mainstage Play, grades 6-12

Oh, the world isn't made for childish things - one must be serious about all matters and always remember to brush one's teeth, comb one's hair, stand up straight and never, ever complain about a terrible lack of fun and imagination. Most adults would tightly bolt the nursery window at even the slightest mention of excellent magic like a runaway shadow, a bright sneeze of pixie dust, or a dark midnight flight to a pirate island! But since when have bolted windows, or even gravity for that matter, gotten in the way of the best grand adventures? Written by our own incredible Ann, our winter mainstage production features a script built just for WCT based on J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan! Join us as our "darling" Victorian heroes Wendy, Michael and John follow their imaginations - and a daring young adventurer named Peter - into a complex and mysterious land that can only be found when one is bold enough to "follow the second star to the right, and straight on till morning!"

Frankenstein

Spring TCYA Blackbox Production, High School

What makes a monster? Is it physical appearance, aggression, true intentions? Can a “monster” be both “good” and “bad”? Are monsters born monsters or do they BECOME so based on their experiences and/or life choices? And then there’s the big question: can monsters earn forgiveness? In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley blurs the lines between creator and creation, challenging the conventional notions of good and evil. This duality of monstrosity serves as a reflection on the complexity of human nature. It raises questions about the origins of evil and the potential for redemption. Victor and the Monster serve as foils to each other, highlighting the interplay of light and darkness within the human psyche. Besides growing as actors, this Blackbox show promises to enrich our knowledge of ourselves as humans—whether through producing as theatre beings or viewing as audience members. Also, this story is deep and powerful and deliciously dark and twisty.

My Son Pinnochio

Summer Family Classic (age 10-alumni)

We often use the term “perfect” to describe something as being stunning, wonderful... definitely desirable. But is this the actual goal? Some of the most important, awe-inspiring things are messy. Love, art, nature. Again... perhaps the real beauty is in the imperfections. In this story, a new father quickly learns that being a parent is full of challenges. He struggles to make his son "the perfect boy," only to lose him to a gang of Roustabouts. It is only when faced with the thought of never seeing his child again that Geppetto truly learns the joys of being a father and loving one's child unconditionally. Pinocchio with a twist! Instead of watching a child strive for perfection, we watch a parent realize that the best things in life are far from perfect. Disney's My Son Pinocchio Jr., which retells the classic Disney story from Geppetto's perspective, features the beloved classic songs, "When You Wish upon a Star" and "I've Got No Strings," alongside loads of new songs by Stephen Schwartz, tackling timely issues about what it means to be "the perfect child" – and what it means to be "a real father."