Fire & Light Academy is a theater organization that creates wholesome stage experiences which engage, educate, and inspire young people in our community. The academy offers a nurturing and educational environment where kids can learn all aspects of theater arts from seasoned thespians, including set design, painting and construction, sound and light facilitation, music, vocals and stage movement, acting, and direction and leadership skills. 

With a troupe of 100 youth ages 8-18, the academy performs throughout the year at nursing homes and festivals. They also present five to seven full-scale classic productions for the Fort Wayne community. 

One of this year’s productions is Disney’s Newsies. Set in turn-of-the century New York City, it follows the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right. 

Four performances of this production will be offered at the University of Saint Francis’s Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center, beginning on Aug. 6 at 7 p.m., and continuing on Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Aug. 8 at 2 p.m.