Welcome to the East Hartford Summer Youth Festival's 60th Anniversary Production: Footloose!
We are proud and grateful to be celebrating East Hartford Summer Youth Festival's 60th Anniversary this year, and honored to carry on a dream brought to fruition so many years ago by Dick Sterner & Donald Hallquist. Started by teachers and financed by East Hartford Fine Arts Commission, EHSYF was knit into the fabric of the town, becoming a summer home away from home for countless East Hartford students. As is true for all organizations that enjoy longevity, EHSYF has seen many changes over the decades, but two things remain constant- our heart and purpose as an organization.
EHSYF is an artistic home for "theater kids" young and old. EVERYONE belongs here, EVERYONE deserves the opportunity to not only learn and grow their performance and technical skills, but to find friendship and acceptance. We take pride in the high quality of our productions, as well as the experience we have provided for our members and audiences over the years. It warms our hearts that EHSYF members have created memories and bonds which they have taken with them as they move through life- and this year, life has brought several of our alumni back "home" to be part of our 60th anniversary production!
Community and teamwork are just as integral to the success of the organization as it was 60 years ago. We simply could not do what we do without the coming together of our community, board members, volunteers, and donors. So many have given of their time, talents, and resources each and every year. This summer's production of Footloose brought with it unprecedented challenges which we thought at times might be insurmountable. But not for our team! We put out the call for help to friends, family, local businesses, and especially our EHSYF alumni, who answered the call. The generosity we received brought tears to my eyes. The overwhelming response of donations and other contributions is a testament to the impact that this wonderful organization has had on so many. To all those who have contributed in any way to our 60th season, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts- you have made such a difference!
On a personal note- EHSYF has become a huge part of my life. I am grateful for the opportunity to play a tiny role in the legacy of this organization, and I strive each day to help the dream along so that it thrives well into the future. The friends that I have made and the memories I have made with them are very dear to me, and I know thousands of alumni have that in common. Footloose marks my daughter's first summer with EHSYF, which is both surreal and exciting. I am overjoyed to see the dream continue on, as yet another generation joins the family.
As our summer 2024 experience nears its conclusion, I am filled with the melancholy that so many of us feel when a show closes- but more than that, I am filled with gratitude. For our founders, for our cast, crew, and production team-for everyone who has worked tirelessly to keep the mission alive. In particular I would like to express my gratitude for my dear friends Valerie Nettleton, Glynis McKenzie, Anna Cairnduff, and Tim McLaughlin whose guidance and contributions have been invaluable, as well as to my family. This summer has been a family affair, with my family members participating on production team, onstage, on tech crew, and front of house! To our Board members who participate throughout the year and love EHSYF as much as I do: thank you! The absence of the late Joe Connolly and Murry Phillips I have keenly felt during this special summer, but I am so grateful to have known them. Their impact on me is a large part of what drives me to carry on the EHSYF mission.
Thank you for coming to our show. We are so excited to share it with you!
-Greer Cunningham-Pattison, President
