Our History

New Moon Productions History

In May 1994, New Moon Productions was incorporated in Texas with the goals of producing quality children’s theatre that gives new and positive insights into the human condition and making a tangible difference in our community by a hands-on approach to community service. By the end of 2002, New Moon had produced 37 full-scale productions and had over 7,000 youth participate in either our theatrical productions, drama classes, or summer camps. In 2003, the co-founders of NMP – Michael Wehrli and Pamela Stringer – moved to Portland, Oregon. Since their arrival, New Moon has offered drama classes at Grout Elementary and Lewis Elementary (as part of their literacy program) and performance classes at several other locations all over Portland (see below). In December 2003, New Moon produced “A Kristmus Karel” with a youth cast at the Interstate Firehouse Theatre and an adult cast at the Multnomah Arts Center. In 2004 New Moon began co-producing the summer musical theatre camp with Portland Parks and Recreation (see above). Too date, New Moon Productions has provided over 13,000 children an enriching theatre experience both in the classroom and on stage and given over 51,000 audience members memorable shows.

Facts Sheet:

EIN 75-2553200
  • Incorporated in Texas as non-profit corporation May 1994
  • Obtained 501(c)(3) non-profit status October 1994
  • Over 12,000 children have participated as either cast members or students
  • Over 50,000 audience members

* - Indicates World Premiere

Childen’s Theatre Productions, Portland Oregon 2003 – Present

  • A Kristmus Karel (based on the Dickens classic) by Michael Wehrli – youth and adult casts
  • Dear Edwina summer musical theatre camp
  • School House Rock Live summer musical theatre camp & adult cast production
  • Alice in Wonderland summer musical theatre camp & adult cast production
  • Wizard of Oz summer musical theatre camp & adult cast production
  • Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory summer musical theatre camp & adult cast production.

    • Over 200 instructors, technicians, and actors were employed

Children’s Theatre Classes Taught in Oregon 2003 - Present

  • Locations include: Grout Elementary, Lewis Elementary, Ainsworth Elementary, Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, St. Mary’s Cathedral School, First Unitarian Church, Multnomah Arts Center, and others.

Children’s Theatre Classes Taught in Texas 1996 - 2002

  • Locations include: Arlington, Bedford, Dallas, DeSoto, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Lewisville, Red Oak, Waxahachie

Children’s Theatre Productions at the Corner Theatre in DeSoto, Texas 1996 - 2002

  • A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Michael Wehrli - *
  • Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
  • Happy Days in Oz by Michael Wehrli and Pamela Stringer - *
  • A Christmas Variety Show written and directed by Lillian Piazza - *
  • It’s Dr. Seuss, You Goose adapted by Michael Wehrli - *
  • There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom by Louis Sachar
  • A Children’s Christmas Carol by Johanna Spyri, adapted by Michael Wehrli - *
  • Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, adapted by Sylvia Ashby
  • No Opera At The Op’ry House Tonight by Tim Kelly
  • Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne, adapted by Johnny Simons
  • Beauty and The Beast by William Glennon
  • North Pole Nightmare by Connie Whitt-Lambert
  • Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery, adapted by Joseph Robinette
  • Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs – The Melodrama by Michael Wehrli - *
  • Live from DeSoto – A Christmas TV Special by Michael Wehrli, Shane Hurst, & Christine Moore - *
  • Alice in Wonderland adapted by Michael Wehrli
  • A Hamlet Parody * by Michael Wehrli and Swimming With Polar Bears by Natalie Gaupp
  • A Kristmus Karel (based on the Dickens classic) by Michael Wehrli - *

    • Over 400 children have participated in the shows as cast members or crew.

Adult Theatre Productions at the Corner Theatre in DeSoto, Texas 1997 - 2002

  • Dracula by Bram Stoker, adapted by Michael Wehrli - *
  • Othello by William Shakespeare
  • Beatle Maniac: Reflections on Jimmy-Paul McCartney by Pamela Stringer - *
  • The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
  • Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, adapted by Johnny Simons (cast included youth)
  • Room Service by John Murray and Allen Boretz
  • Titanic Aftermath by Michael Wehrli (cast included youth) - *
  • Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, adapted by Johnny Simons (cast included youth)
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare (cast included youth)
  • Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare (cast included youth)
  • Hamlet by William Shakespeare (cast included youth)

    • Over 300 actors and technicians were employed.

Produced 8 plays in Dallas, Texas 1994 - 1996

  • God by Woody Allen
  • The Baltimore Waltz by Paula Vogel
  • The Secret Mirror by Joyce Carol Oates
  • Songs of Love by Romulus Linney
  • The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
  • Sorrow and Solace by Bill Strubbe
  • Sincerity Forever by Mac Wellman
  • The A Merkin Dream by Don Racket (local playwright) - *

    • Over 100 actors and technicians were employed.

NMP Companions 1994 – 2001 (Actors & Crew volunteered with these organizations)

  • Dallas Life Foundation for the Homeless
  • DeSoto Community Outreach Center
  • Literacy Instruction for Texas (LIFT)
  • Concerned DeSoto Citizens
  • Food Pantry of Aids Resource Center
  • DeSoto Public Library
  • Garrett Park Manor Retirement Home
  • DeSoto Senior Center
  • Blue Dragons Explorer Post
  • DeSoto Police Department - “Safe Halloween” & Senior Triad Symposium

Annual Tour of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 1994 - 1998

  • Over 75 Free Performances for those in need
  • Dallas Area Nursing Homes, Women’s Shelters, & Homeless Shelters
  • Over 40 actors donated their time and talent

Children’s Theatre Classes Taught in Texas 1996 – 2002

  • Locations include: Arlington, Bedford, Dallas, DeSoto, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Lewisville, Red Oak, Waxahachie

Over 12,000 children have participated.
Over 600 teachers & theatre professionals have been employed.

Washington Park Summer Camp History

Originally created by Portland Parks and Recreation (PP&R), this four-week summer musical theatre camp program was offered for 10 years. New Moon Productions stepped in to continue this unique program in 2004 when large funding cuts threatened to end the program.

This creative and life enhancing summer camp ran for a period of four weeks. Students were trained five days a week in all aspects of musical theatre while rehearsing the play. This included work on text comprehension and interpretation, ensemble building, improvisation, stage movement, character development, voice and diction, singing, stage movement, and dance. What made this summer musical theatre camp so special was its mentorship program. All of the summer camp instructors and interns rehearsed an adult cast version of the play. This allowed all the adult participants to have an in depth knowledge of the performance piece, giving them more tools in guiding young performers during the summer camp. The payoff at the end of the camp was even more spectacular – outdoor performances at Washington Park Amphitheatre to large crowds!

Every summer camp student performed the musical twice at the Amphitheatre with all the bells and whistles – beautiful set, stunning costumes, and clever props. The adult cast performances ran every night at the Washington Park Amphitheatre as well. Each year over 5000-7000 audience members enjoyed a free musical theatre production in the park. What could be more fun?! Previous shows include “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown”, “Big River”, “Into The Woods”, and “Cinderella”.

New Moon Productions (NMP) first year’s involvement with the program featured the hilarious “Dear Edwina” – a musical populated by youth characters who put on a weekly advice shows from Edwina’s garage! In 2005, NMP became the official co-producer of the summer musical theatre camp and chose the fun “Schoolhouse Rock, Live!”, featuring all the hilarious and informative songs from the 1970s television shows. In 2006, NMP went back to classic literature to present “Alice In Wonderland”. This delightful and whimsical musical theatre production had all the crazy characters from the Lewis Carroll novel. 2007 brought with it one of the greatest musicals of all time: “Wizard of Oz”. In 2008 another beloved classic was brought to life in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”. The musical was based on the beloved 1971 movie with all the wonderful music we have all come to know and love.

Unfortunately, fund-raising efforts did not produce the amounts needed to keep the program alive and flourishing so the summer camp was canceled in 2009.  We were deeply saddened that this was necessary. Certainly the downturn in the economy played a large role in the lack of foundation and corporate support.

Thanks to ALL the wonderful people we worked with over the last five years - the wonderful teachers, theatre technicians, and volunteers.  Thanks to our wonderful partners - Peg Zander and Mary Richardson of Sun Community Schools and Portland Parks and Recreation - for their support.  A huge Thank You to all the campers and parents who have made this program such a delight.  You all deserve a huge round of applause.