Follow students from the Jessye Norman School of the Arts “Into The Woods” on May 13 at the Augusta University Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre.
“This is the first time we’ve done a student production outside of our main space,” said Gary Dennis, the organization’s executive director.
But with its cast of 50 students, the production of “Into the Woods Jr.” needed a larger space, and the Maxwell Theatre was the perfect spot.
Based on Grimm’s Fairy Tales, “Into the Woods” features characters many people are familiar with combined with the music of Stephen Sondheim. And the Jessye Norman students are up to the task, Dennis said.
“We’ve got some of the best voices that we’ve ever had,” said Dennis of the performers.
Under the direction of Sebastian Greene, the students have been working on the show for several months. Assisting with the production is Diana Melton, who has “been an absolute godsend,” Dennis said.
She’s infused the organization with 19 volunteers. Some of them have worked on the play, while others have found different spots to help out at the school itself.
Dennis said the production is a good opportunity for the students, allowing them to use their talents outside the walls of the school.
“They are really excited about the prospect of working outside the school,” he said.
The performance begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at the JSNA website, or they can be purchased at the event.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards, is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award and was named Augusta Magazine’s best local writer in 2024 and 2025. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
