Valparaiso Theatrical Company Celebrates Mardi Gras

The Valparaiso Theatrical Company celebrated Mardi Gras a bit early this year with its annual fundraiser. On Feb. 9, Mardi Gras commenced with a mime gesturing to the guests, faces being painted, magic tricks being performed, fortunes being told, balloons being made into just about anything you can imagine and, of course, beads being tossed from the balcony.

The Kings of Mardi Gras and the very talented Crawpuppies performed live. They rocked the ball, playing everything from the classic Beatles to today’s Rock & Roll.

Also, a big hit among party goers was the DJ sounds of “Let the Good Times Roll” with Steve Zana playing all the fun party songs.

The Mardi Gras Theme was chosen because of the special place it has for the President Colleen Zana and Vice President Steve Zana because they were engaged in New Orleans at Mardi Gras in 2000.

Colleen Zana said Mardi Gras has sometimes gotten bad press, but really everything about Mardi Gras is joyful.

“The people that attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans are joyful, happy, giving people,” she said. “Steve and I just wanted to share that with Northwest Indiana; to share that happy, giving nature of Mardi Gras, the pageantry, to show everyone that that’s what our theater is about, giving.”

The mission of the Valparaiso Theatrical Company is to offer professional theater at an affordable price while giving to charitable causes. Whether the plays are socially relevant classics, contemporary or new plays with vision, giving back in an artistic and monetary way to the world is their mission. While performance is its own reward, the VTC’s Board is committed to giving a portion of profits from each show to other nonprofit organizations and charitable causes.

The Valparaiso Theatrical Company is a nonprofit group meant to focus on providing fundraising opportunities for other nonprofit organizations. The company’s performances take the group to many venues such as the auditorium at Ivy Tech Community College, Cornucopia Coffee House and The Elks in Valparaiso. The theater will also perform and produce events for other fundraising opportunities at smaller venues in downtown Valparaiso until a permanent home for the performances is found.

The night was sponsored by Triangle Liquors and Trail Inn Liquors. There were several donations made to the silent auction including a family pass to Brookfield Zoo, season tickets from Theater at the Center in Munster, wonderful spa packages donated by Serendipity Province and much, much more.

Proceeds raised will help to keep the “Theater That Cares” going. If you would like to make a donation, it’s not too late call Steve Zana at 219-617-3870. As mentioned before, they are looking for a permanent home. If you know of an affordable building to rent or in-kind, again give Zana a call.

The next production will be “Almost, Maine” by John Cariani. The show dates are set for May 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 in The Buggy Wheel Pavilion at the Expo Center (215 E. Division Road) in Valparaiso.

Click here to read A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Colleen Zana!