[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 106 (Thursday, July 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE 26TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HARDIN COUNTY YOUTH THEATER

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                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 1997

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Youth Theater of Hardin County, KY, on its 26th anniversary. The Youth 
Theater of Hardin County is now the oldest educating and performing 
community youth theater program in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. More 
than 1,275 students have participated in this program and over 3,000 
students and adult volunteers have assisted in this endeavor. It has 
been an integral part in promoting and advancing theater among 
Kentucky's youth for over a quarter of a century. For that, it deserves 
special recognition.
  The Youth Theater is composed of 7th through 12th grade students from 
Hardin County Schools, Elizabethtown's Independent Schools, and Fort 
Knox Community Schools. It is designed to educate students in the 
performing arts and to promote cultural growth and awareness with 
quality performances. In the process of putting together a production, 
students learn skills that are essential to a successful life. Skills 
such as team work, self-esteem, and the power of the human voice to 
stimulate and entertain audiences. In this regard, the Hardin County 
Youth Theater has been very successful.
  The Youth Theater's impact on the arts community is being felt 
locally, nationally, and internationally. Several individuals and 
groups have won talent recognition at the local and State levels, as 
well as the Youth Talent International Competition. And the 
achievements don't stop after students leave.
  Alumni from this distinguished Youth Theater are performing 
throughout the country and contributing to every aspect of the arts 
community. They are performing as equity and nonequity actors, singers, 
dancers, choreographers, technical directors, and technicians. Young, 
aspiring actors have left the Hardin County Youth Theater to perform on 
collegiate stages, regional stages, national stages, and even 
international stages. Several alumni have performed in off-broadway 
productions, and one has made an impact in Hollywood.
  When students leave the Hardin County Youth Theater, they continue to 
give back to their communities in a variety of ways. Former students 
are working with regional and national entertainment parks as costume 
characters, live characters, singers, dancers, and technicians. One 
such student is now serving as an instructor to other aspiring 
performers with a multinational entertainment conglomerate. Another is 
the director of the Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts. The Youth 
Theater is, indeed, an integral part of our Nation's arts community.
  Meanwhile, those students who do not choose to follow theatrical 
careers credit the Youth Theater with preparing them for the future. 
They credit their poise, responsibility, self-esteem, and their ability 
to work individually and with diverse groups directly to their 
participation in Youth Theater and its activities. These alumni have 
chosen a variety of different career fields. They are professionals, 
businessowners, white and blue collar workers, and even farmers. 
Regardless of profession, they contribute vastly to society.
  The Hardin County Youth Theater has been successful in many regards. 
It has contributed to the arts community at all levels. It has given 
students the skills needed to lead a successful life. And it has 
encouraged its students to give back to their communities and leave 
them better than they found them. I congratulate the Hardin County 
Youth Theater on its 26th anniversary. Hardin County is better because 
of it, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky is proud to claim it. I look 
forward to its continued success, and I'm sure it will strive to reach 
even higher heights in the future.

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