READ MORE ON PAGE 7
Theatre WHY THEATRE MATTERS IN THE MAT-SU VALLEY
GROWING CONFIDENCE, COMMUNITY, AND CREATIVITY CLOSE TO HOME
Contributed by Elizabeth Stout
If you ask a young performer why they love theatre, the answers are often joyful and immediate: “It’s fun.” “I get to pretend to be someone else.”
“My friends are here.” But behind the costumes, laughter, and applause, theatre does something deeper—especially here in the Mat-Su Valley. It builds community. It gives young people a place to belong. It provides structure, expression, connection, and opportunity in a region where access to the arts isn’t always guaranteed, and where distance, winter isolation, and limited enrichment programs can leave students searching for connection.
That carries special weight in the Mat-Su Valley, where for many families, community organizations provide the only consistent pathway to performing arts education. When students participate in organizations like MASCOTarts, VPA, Alaska Theatre of Youth, or school drama clubs, they’re not just performing—they’re filling an educational gap. Through rehearsals, script analysis, staging, and performance, students develop reading fluency and comprehension; memory and focus; verbal and nonverbal communication; and critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and executive functioning
skills. Youth in the Mat-Su Valley are facing real challenges. According to the 2024 Mat-Su Public Health Report, 42% of teens report persistent sadness or hopelessness, and nearly one in four have seriously considered suicide. At the same time, school engagement remains an ongoing concern, with graduation rates hovering near 80% and chronic absenteeism increasing. Research shows that participation in the arts, and theatre in particular, is tied to higher academic motivation, improved emotional regulation, and increased school connectedness.
Theatre provides community, purpose, and belonging—key protective factors identified by the Alaska Mental Health Trust and the CDC. In short, the more meaningful opportunities our youth have to connect, create, and belong, the stronger and healthier our community becomes. For some kids, theatre isn’t a hobby—it’s a pathway to confidence, purpose, and hope. As one MASCOTarts parent put it, “My child didn’t just find theatre—they found their people.”
Research doesn’t just show that theatre is beneficial; it shows that the benefits deepen when opportunities expand. Communities with multiple, layered arts pathways see stronger outcomes in
leadership, creativity, civic engagement, and school success. Our community is growing faster than almost any region in Alaska. With new families arriving every month and schools facing budget restraints, youth programming and enrichment infrastructure must scale to keep up.
When there are more classes, more productions, more rehearsal spaces, and more opportunities at different developmental stages, young people don’t just try theatre—they grow with it. More theatre programs mean more children included rather than turned away; more students finding their niche, whether acting, costumes, tech, directing, or writing; more families engaged; more performances bringing the community together; stronger partnerships with libraries, schools, the borough, and local businesses; and a stronger creative workforce in Alaska. In a region where distance can create isolation, abundance matters. The more stages we build, the more voices we hear. The more we invest, the more young people step forward. When a child in the Mat-Su Valley steps onto a stage, they step into possibility—the possibility to grow confidence, empathy, creativity, leadership, and voice. The research proves its value. Our youth feel its impact. Our community strengthens because of it.
The Mat-Su Valley is uniquely Alaskan: mountains rising beyond neighborhoods, moose crossing sports fields, auroras dancing above winter skies. Our children grow up surrounded by wonder, and theatre gives them a space to process, express, and celebrate their lived experience. Whether rehearsing indoors with fresh snow outside, performing Shakespeare under summer sunlight, or bringing new Alaskan stories to life, youth theatre reinforces local identity and strengthens community pride. Our voices belong here. Our stories belong here. The arts belong here. Theatre doesn’t just transform individuals—it transforms entire communities. This is why theatre matters, especially in the Mat-Su Valley, and why having more theatre matters even more. Ready to find your people, your stage, your community? MASCOTarts spring classes are open. More info at MASCOTARTS.org.
MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW COMING TO VALLEY PERFORMING ARTS
Contributed by Jenna Worley
Valley Performing Arts continues their Golden 50th Season with the production of CS Lewis’ “The Magician’s Nephew”, dramatized and adapted for stage by Aurand Harris. This is the forerunner to the well-known and much-loved story, “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” - which was VPA’s popular Holiday production last season.
David Meneses returns as the director of this classic fantasy. “Magician’s Nephew” will run January 9th through January 25th at the Valley Performing Arts Theatre, located at 251 W. Swanson Ave. in Wasilla. There will be showings every Friday night, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon. CS Lewis’ familiar characters of Aslan and Jadis are included in this prequel, along with several new and exciting characters. Which is fitting since the talented cast is made up of several familiar and seasoned VPA actors, as well as some new faces. For more information about the cast and characters, follow Valley Performing Arts on Facebook.
January 9-25, 2026
Tickets are available online at www.vpaalaska.org or by calling (907) 373-0125
LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED
MAILING ADDRESS
HELP US GROW OUR CALENDAR!
Submit your event and we’ll print it in the next edition!
DECEMBER
December 13 @ 10AM-2PM
Christmas Bear & Blanket Drive
Karma Kafe AK 3400 East Cottle Loop Suite #800 907-841-5005
December 19 @ 5PM-8PM
Winter Solstice Festival
Anchorage Parks and Recreation
Cuddy Family Midtown Park, 210 E 40th Ave 907-343-4355
December 20 @ 11AM-4PM
Pictures with Santa & Play Dig N’ it Kid Zone
Meadow Lakes City Center, 244 South Sylvan Rd 907-252-3141
December 20 @ 9AM
Community Hike: Lazy Moose Solstice Adventure Revel Treks & Tours
2955 Mountain Trail Cir, Palmer, AK 99645, Lazy Mountain Trailhead
To register, visit https://www.reveltreksandtours.com/ events/lazymoose
December 20 @ 10-5 & December 21 11-5 Last Minute Christmas Alaska Vendor Shows
Palmer Train Depot, 610 S Valley Way
December 21 @ 4PM Winter Celebration Concert Mat-Su Concert Band
The Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E College Dr matsuconcertband@gmail.com
Tickets available at matsuconcertband.org or $5 at the door
December 24 @ 11AM, 1PM, 3PM, & 5PM
Christmas Eve at ChangePoint Mat-Su ChangePoint Mat-Su 615 E Strathclyde Lane
907-646-4821
JANUARY
January 3 @ 11AM
Winter Blues & Reflexology w/ Ellyse Stock All About Herbs
4621 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway, 104 (907) 376-8327
January 5 @ 6PM
Perspectives Class Perspectives
16005 E. Shawn Dr., Lazy Mountain Bible Church (808) 375-5305
Cost: $285 – discounts available
January 10 @ 9AM
Winter Ladies’ Only Outing Sauna & Cold Plunge Adventures by True North AK
Eklutna Tailrace, 13145 S Old Glenn Hwy 907-691-8909
Tickets available at adventurealaska.net
January 17 @ 6:30PM
Nike Shoe Giveaway LIFELINE OUTREACH
Steller Secondary School, 2508 Blueberry Rd https://www.FeedingAlaska.today mariakrinock@gmail.com
January 30 @ 7PM – January 31 @ 11:30PM
WinterRomp 2026
Blackwater Railroad Company
Palmer Train Depot, 610 S Valley Way
Blackwaterrailroadco@gmail.com
Tickets available at tixtree.com
FEBRUARY
February 7 @ 5:30PM
Wasilla High School Band Mardi Gras Fundraiser
Wasilla High School Band
701 Bogard Road, Wasilla High School Gym
TYLER.MARTIN@MATSUK12.US
Cost: $21 in advance or $26 at the door
February 7 @ 11AM
Tallow For Your Skin w/Caii Alexander
All About Herbs
621 East Palmer-Wasilla Highway, 104 (907) 376-8327
Finn, 8 Miriam, 12
IDITAPARK
NEW YEAR’S FIREWORKS
DECEMBER 31ST
6:30PM FREE COFFEE, COCOA, CIDER, AND S’MORES AT THE RED PAVILION (WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)
7:59PM COUNTDOWN AT THE RED PAVILION (OR BY TUNING IN TO 95.5 KNLT-FM FROM YOUR CAR)
8:00PM FIREWORKS BLAST OFF — SYNCED TO A MUSIC MEDLEY ON 95.5 KNLT-FM & IN THE PARK
