Merry-Go-Round Playhouse

The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse was originally founded as the Auburn Children's Theatre in 1958 by Susan Riford and members of the Auburn Service League. Initially, the Theatre provided weekend dramatic classes for local youths. In 1961, an in-school program was added which grew into a state-wide touring children's theatre by 1965. Nine years later, in 1974, the Youth Theatre Program was fully professionalized.

The largest Youth Theatre in Upstate New York and one of the largest in the country, The Merry-Go-Round Youth Theatre reaches more than 125,000 students across the state through its curriculum based multi-discipline Sequential Dramatics Program.

Where it Began

Originally offering weekend drama classes for local youth under the name Auburn Children's Theatre, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse was founded in September of 1958. In 1961, the children's theatre instituted a semi-professional in-school program. Within four years the program began touring state-wide.

In 1974, the Youth Theatre became fully professionalized. In 1981 Producing Director Ed Sayles took over leadership of the corporation and the Youth Theatre began to grow in earnest. Today, the organization has blossomed into one of the nation's foremost professional touring youth theatres in the country.

What We Do

The Merry-Go-Round Youth Theatre is a touring company, offering school districts performances, workshops and study guide materials tailored to each grade level. We choose productions which compliment the subject matter to help teachers and students in meeting the New York State Learning Standards.

Our program addresses state standards for The Arts, English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Career Development and Occupational studies. The program has been designed to provide programming to every child in your district, every year your district participates.

Enjoy the Festival in the perfect setting of the Finger Lakes. Already home to a thriving theatrical community, the region boasts nationally-known wineries, luxury spas, crystal blue lakes, great restaurants, and historical treasures.

Altogether, the Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival will offer you the best of everything that contemporary musical theatre has to offer...whether On, Off, or Beyond Broadway.

So start planning your trip now. Your seats are waiting.

Explore Related Categories