ABOUT US

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1. Why Wekiva River Players Community Theatre Is Central Florida's Best Kids Theatre Program
Discover why Wekiva River Players is Seminole County’s longest-running theatre, delivering inclusive kids theatre programs that build confidence, creativity, and lifelong community—all with professional standards and a real family feel.
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Our Mission

The mission of Wekiva River Players is to provide the community with theatrical entertainment, to provide the residents of the area with opportunities to participate in theatrical productions and to encourage the education, growth, development and interest in theater through support of the performing arts.

In pursuit of our mission, Wekiva River Players continuously recognizes and adheres to the values described below:

Community - WRP both serves and supports the performing arts interests of its community, which is Central Florida in general, and Seminole County in particular.
Service - WRP provides opportunities and support to other charitable organizations within its community. Although WRP is a charitable organization itself, WRP provides charities an opportunity to promote themselves in conjunction with WRP productions and may elect to donate a portion of WRP proceeds to the charities.
Diversity - Membership in the Wekiva River Players is open to all persons regardless of race, color, gender, age, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or handicap.
Volunteerism - WRP survives on the skills and dedication of volunteers. In many cases, WRP encourages volunteer support over paid positions.
Quality - WRP productions and education services are to be of the highest quality commensurate with the skills of its volunteers and needs of its audience and members.
Respect - WRP recognizes the importance of the skills of its members and volunteers and the efforts they put forth to benefit the organization.
Security - WRP values the safety of its members and participants and attempts to provide an environment that is safe, free from harassment and a secure environment for children.

Identity-Conscious Casting
We are committed to inclusive, identity-aware casting and, whenever possible, we honor the cultural origins of each role. For youth productions, casting is based on the students who enroll with the goal of ensuring that every participant has a meaningful and rewarding opportunity on stage. When an actor is cast in a role traditionally associated with a specific identity, we approach the portrayal thoughtfully, avoiding costuming or styling that implies an identity the actor does not share or is uncomfortable with, and instead emphasizing the character’s role and purpose within the story. Above all, we strive to create a respectful, educational, and welcoming environment where every participant feels valued and supported.

Our Volunteers Make Us Great

Like all non-profit community theaters, WRP relies on the help of volunteers in all areas of production. Our parent volunteers are the best and we wouldn't be successful with them. We have multiple teams to help with every production:

Sets Team: Construct, Paint, and Tear-down
Costume Team: Find, Size, Create, Return
Props Team: Find, Build, Return
Cast Team: Photos, Bios, Cast Party
Marketing/Fundraising Team: Programs, Raffles, Ads, Shoutouts
Show Team: Ushers, Merchandise, Concessions
Load-In and Strike

History of Wekiva River Players

Wekiva River Players is Seminole County's longest-running theater ensemble, performing continuously since 1993. From its beginnings WRP has served the community, not just providing theatrical entertainment, education and opportunities, but also giving back creatively to support important local causes through donations of time, money and talent. Over the years we've worked with a variety of charitable organizations, including our ongoing involvement with Music for Melons, raising funds for breast cancer research.

To date, WRP has performed more than 100 shows and has evolved into primarily an educational theater program. Each year we produce shows for elementary and middle school performers as well as a full-length production for our high school performers. Currently, WRP uses a variety of venues including the Ritz Theatre in Sanford and Eastmonte Civic Center in Altamonte Springs. We are confident that with a great deal of hard work, combined with support from the community, we will continue to provide Central Florida with education, opportunities, and most importantly, theatrical entertainment that is second to none.

Board of Directors

Liaisons

POLICIES AND CONSENTS

TUITION REFUND/EXCHANGE POLICY

A full refund or exchange for a future activity, minus any credit card processing fees, will be granted if the WRP Board is notified in writing at least 30 days prior to the activity start date. Refunds or exchanges minus a $25 registration fee will be granted if the WRP Board is notified in writing after the 30-day deadline but prior to the activity start date. No refunds will be granted after the activity start date. Withdrawals due to medical emergencies or relocation will be addressed by the WRP Board on an individual basis.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

All parents/guardians of registered students are asked to volunteer on at least one of the production teams, and are required to assist with production Load-In and Strike, including loading and unloading trucks at storage and at the venue,

INFORMED CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Upon completing a Registration you are consenting to and accepting the following:

Medical and Liability: In the event that the registered minor has an illness or accident requiring emergency medical care, hospitalization, medication or surgery while participating in any of the programs of Wekiva River Players, Inc., I hereby give my authorization to staff members or approved volunteers of Wekiva River Players, Inc. to act or to approve or to consent to emergency medical or surgical treatment and/or hospital care of the registered minor to be rendered under the general or special supervision of any licensed physician or surgeon. It is understood that this authorization is given in advance of any specific diagnosis or emergency treatment being rendered. In addition, I agree to release and discharge Wekiva River Players, Inc., its Officers, Directors and Agents thereof, from any claims, demands or liability of damage arising from my child’s participation in programs sponsored by Wekiva River Players, Inc. In the event that any claims arise which exceed the property or liability coverage maintained by Wekiva River Players, Inc., such claims shall be the sole responsibility of the registered minor's parent or legal guardian and shall be covered by their primary insurance policy.

Photo and Video Likeness: Wekiva River Players, Inc., or those authorized to act on their behalf, is assigned the right and permission to copyright and/or publish photographs or video likeness of me (or my minor student(s)). Wekiva River Players, Inc. may use in whole, or as part of a composite, the reproduction thereof for promotion in any manner, including on the Wekiva River Players, Inc. website and social media accounts.

Email and Marketing: By providing your email address on our website or through any of our services, you explicitly consent to Wekiva River Players, Inc. collecting, storing, and using your email address for the following purposes: communication, marketing and promotion, personalized experiences. You can opt out of receiving marketing emails at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of our emails or by contacting us directly.

	Jon Lynch, President 2014 was the first year Jon began his work with WRP. Throughout the years following he has been a Director/Music Director on many of the WRP seaonal productions, as well as being a parent to three students who have since graduated from our programs. One of those, his daughter, has returned to Direct and Choreograph several shows herself. In addition to WRP, Jon has helped produce and direct shows with E2Y Players, Spotlight Theatre, Creative Sanford, and Breatkthrough Theatre. Every now and then you may also get a glimpse of Jon performing for local charities and productions such as "Music for Melons" or Christmas Dreams. By day, Jon works as a Services Sales Support Manager for a global software company. He also is a proud husband and father of 5, plus three dogs.
	Hallie Elduff, Vice President Hallie has been involved with WRP since 2019. As a parent of a student within WRP, Hallie has had the perspective of participant and board member to help guide the organization. Hallie has been involved with nonprofits for many years; including Girl Scouts, PTA, PTSA, 4-H, and community events with the Wekiva HOA. The unique dynamic of nonprofits is where she finds her passion for volunteering and holds dearly in her heart the following: “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
	Stacy Mason, Treasurer Stacy Mason is an elementary school special education teacher and a graduate of the University of Florida with Bachelor’s, Master’s and Specialist’s degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership. Stacy has two daughters, Jordan (26 years old), who is currently living and working as a production coordinator in California and Jenn (19 years old), who is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student at Nazareth University in New York. Stacy has served on the WRP Board since January, 2018 and will be serving her second year as Treasurer. Stacy was involved with WRP for 8 years with her daughter, Jenn, who performed with the elementary, middle and high school troupes, and 1 year with Jordan who performed with WRP back in 2005. In her spare time, Stacy enjoys traveling, reading, dining with family and friends and going to local theme parks. She is excited to continue serving as the WRP Treasurer for this upcoming season with the new WRP board!
	Konnie Kubec, Secretary Konnie has been on the board of Wekiva River Players since January of 2020 but has been involved with the organization since her daughter joined in August of 2019. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and Grand Canyon University. Konnie is an elementary school teacher in Orange County, Florida and has served on many different committees in both her personal and professional lives. She immensely enjoys working within the organization and the theater community at large and looks forward to continuing to watch WRP grow.
	Mariana O'Rear, Board Member At Large Mariana has been a WRP parent volunteer with the Elementary School Troupe since Spring 2023. Her daughter has enjoyed being a part of the productions and her family has been involved in helping with anything needed from sets to costumes. Mariana brings her years of hospitality leadership and customer service skills to the Board in the hopes to help continue growing the youth theatre troupe. She loves WRP’s culture of family and is passionate in being a part of its continued growth.
	Cyndi Hayes, Board Member At Large Cyndi Hayes joined WRP as a parent, when her son Christopher was Kristof in the Summer Stock performance of “Frozen Jr” in 2021. She caught a glimpse of theater life as Jocasta in “Oedipus” in 7th grade (this is no kids musical!); the spot light operator for “The Mouse that Roared” in 8th grade; singing in choir in school or in church, and she’s generally dramatic in all she sings (catch her at a red light). She has a degree from Penn State in a totally unrelated field. She was a Boy Scout committee member for almost 15 years, former PTA/PTSA board member, as well as a board member for the middle school band boosters. She currently substitutes in Seminole County, loves volunteering in her Pastor’s library, and loves her time with family and community. Christopher is currently in the high school troupe for WRP and plays trumpet in the Lake Brantley high school band. Cyndi loves supporting his love of music and theater. She's been a WRP board member since 2024, hoping to make WRP a great experience for all the students, as well as a joy for the community.
	Jenny Cusano-Smith, Board Member At Large Jenny is a dedicated commercial sales leader and proud mom who brings over a decade of experience in customer success to the WRP Board. She currently serves as the Mid-Market Commercial Sales Leader (East) at Veritas Technologies, where she helps businesses grow through strategic engagement and retention. Jenny loves football, fitness, and the strong sense of community that WRP fosters.
	Cody Carraway, Board Member At Large Cody came to Wekiva River Players the way most parents do: following his kid. When his daughter joined the middle school troupe in Fall 2025 and took the stage as Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice Jr., it was the latest chapter in a performing journey she's been on practically since she could walk, and one he's proudly supported every step of the way. With a professional background in Operations and Project Management, Cody brings a detail-oriented, get-it-done mindset to the board. But what drew him to WRP runs deeper than a résumé; it's the sense of community and the joy of volunteering alongside like-minded people. No stranger to giving back, Cody spent nearly five years as a volunteer youth soccer coach with the Apopka Recreation program, and that same passion for showing up for his community is what he brings to WRP. For him, volunteering isn't an obligation; it's one of the more rewarding things he gets to do. He joined the WRP board because he believes the adults in the room have a responsibility to model the kind of character, commitment, and pride in craft that we hope to see in the young performers we serve. "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them." — James Baldwin
	Lauren Wheeles, Board Member At Large Lauren's connection to Wekiva River Players began when her daughter Camila joined the program at summer camp in 2023. Seeing firsthand how theatre builds confidence, creativity, and community in young performers inspired Lauren to become more involved with the organization. Professionally, she is a Director of Digital Experience at Charles Schwab and brings a strong passion for marketing, storytelling, technology, and social media. Lauren enjoys using those skills to help amplify WRP’s voice and expand awareness of youth theatre in the community.
	Johnna McQuinn, Board Member At Large Johnna has been a dedicated volunteer with Wekiva River Players since 2023, when her daughter Boothe joined the program. With both an elementary and middle school student participating, she is deeply connected to its mission. A Regional Sales manager by day, this former theater kid often leads the Cast Party and Costume Committees during the season. She is passionate about fostering the confidence, creativity, and sense of community that shaped her own journey and continues to impact students today.
	Alyssa Davenport, Board Member At Large Alyssa came to Wekiva River Players the way so many WRP families do — through a child with a passion for the stage. Her son Elias made his WRP debut as an ensemble member in 13, Jr. in Spring 2025, and there's been no slowing down since. He went on to play Maxie Dean in Beetlejuice, Jr. that fall, and is currently taking on the role of the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland, Jr. this spring. Watching him find his place in this community has been one of the great joys of their family's life in Apopka, where Alyssa has called home for nine years. A mom of three, Alyssa's household runs on creativity, competition, and a lot of heart — her middle son keeps the family on the soccer sidelines, and her daughter brings the energy of a competitive dancer. When she's not cheering someone on, Alyssa serves as the Tech Director at her church, and has spent the last seven years as an active PTA board member at her children's school. Professionally, Alyssa works in instructional design and education, creating meaningful learning experiences that help people grow — skills she's excited to bring to WRP as it continues to build something special for the young performers and families it serves. She believes deeply in the power of community and in showing up for the people and places that matter.