The Family Community Theatre

The Family Community Theatre (TFCT) at The Arts Academy at Good Shepherd (TAAGS)

About the Program

The Family Community Theatre Program at The Arts Academy at Good Shepherd is a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience designed to bring families, friends, and our community together through the magic of live theatre.

Unlike traditional community theatre programs, family comes first. Families pre-register together and are guaranteed that every participating family member will be cast in the production. Whether your passion is performing on stage or working behind the scenes, everyone has an important role to play. Friend groups are also welcome to pre-register together, making it easy to share the experience with the people you enjoy creating with.

Open auditions remain an important part of our program and are available to everyone. While auditions are used to determine casting for featured and principal roles, our goal is to create an inclusive environment where performers of all experience levels can grow, learn, and be part of something special.

More than producing great theatre, The Family Community Theatre Program exists to build relationships, encourage creativity, strengthen families, and create lasting memories within our community.

Performances

Performances are November 27, 28, 29, Dec 4, 5, & 6.

Show Synopsis

Based on the beloved holiday film, A Christmas Story: The Musical follows Ralphie Parker on his hilarious quest for the ultimate Christmas gift: an Official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle.

Set in 1940’s Indiana, Ralphie faces one obstacle after another as every adult warns him, “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Along the way, audiences meet unforgettable characters including his loving but overwhelmed parents, his mischievous younger brother Randy, eccentric classmates, neighborhood bullies, and the legendary department store Santa.

Filled with humor, heart, memorable songs, and plenty of holiday nostalgia, A Christmas Story: The Musical celebrates the excitement of childhood, the importance of family, and the joy of Christmas. Perfect for audiences of all ages, this festive musical is a heartwarming holiday tradition in the making.

Camp Director

Camp Director, Artistic Director, & Music Director

Elle Ames is a dedicated and passionate theater educator with over a decade of experience. She is an “artist” at finding unique and inclusive ways to nurture artistic growth and celebrates each student’s individuality through various artistic techniques.

As the Founder and President of Ames Performing Arts, Elle offers private voice coaching and performance coaching to students of all ages. She created and continues to teach a variety of original courses at Ames Performing Arts, where she fosters a supportive and creative environment for students to grow artistically. Elle is also a talented performing artist, having participated in numerous theatrical productions along the East Coast. At Good Shepherd, she serves as the Director of Children’s & Youth Music Ministry. Additionally she can be seen performing on stage; most recently seen in A Christmas Story: The Musical, with The Pickwick Players.

Elle also taught original courses and camps at The Little Theater of Alexandria (LTA) from 2020 to 2023, where she created and taught theater classes for young students (K-9th grade), focusing on imaginative play and acting technique.

Elle’s fervent pursuit of a Master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology reflects her unwavering passion and commitment to her personal and professional growth. Her academic immersion has deepened her connection with students and enhanced her own performance experiences. By exploring the nuances of human emotion and behavior, she delivers powerful and engaging performances that resonate with audiences. These skills also translate into her directorial and staging experiences.

One of her greatest sources of pride stems from the profound lessons she has learned from her students. She recognizes the paramount importance of providing a safe environment for students and is committed to methods that make students feel supported by her and their peers.