News Release
WARSAW — Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural Artist in Residence program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to create long-term opportunities for professional theatre alumni while enriching the Warsaw community.
The Artist in Residence is a unique contract that invites a Wagon Wheel Professional Theatre alum to make Warsaw their home for several months. During their residency, the artist partners with Wagon Wheel Conservatory to develop innovative curriculum, mentor and inspire the next generation of performers, and share their professional expertise directly with the community.
Wagon Wheel is thrilled to welcome Abigail Storm as the very first Artist in Residence. A Texas native and patron-favorite performer, Storm has appeared in ten Wagon Wheel professional productions, including Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), Grease (Jan), and Steel Magnolias (Truvy). Storm will also make her return to the Wagon Wheel stage and star in Elf: the Musical this holiday season.
“Wagon Wheel is truly a family and I am so excited to join that family in creating a new program as the Artist in Residence,” says Storm. “What an honor it is to be back in a theater that has given me so much.”
The program became possible thanks to the generosity of local individuals and organizations who rallied around the vision. Wagon Wheel extends special thanks to Warsaw Orthodontics, Signature Studio, BELOVE, From Juniper With Love, Moving Forward with Mia and Julia LLC, Indie Society, Mrs. Ryman’s 6th grade class at Washington STEM Academy, and The Sweet Exchange for their support in making this initiative a reality.
“It never ceases to amaze me how our community rallies together to turn dreams into reality,” says Sam Engle, Communications and Donor Relations Coordinator. “The Artist in Residence program is something we’ve envisioned for years, and it’s only possible because of the generosity of Kosciusko County. Every season, we see professional alumni eager to give back beyond the stage, and now, for the first time, we can make that possible. It’s an incredible milestone for Wagon Wheel and for our community.”
