The cast of “My Heart Says Go” will perform at the 2024 International Thespian Festival in Bloomington in June. Photos provided by Warsaw Community Schools.

Press Release

WARSAW — In a recent extraordinary moment at Warsaw Community High School’s Performing Arts Center, the cast of “My Heart Says Go” received thrilling news that set the stage ablaze with jubilation.

“You’re going to internationals,” WCHS Theatre Director Melany Morris announced with enthusiasm.

These four words unleashed a torrent of cheers, applause, tears of joy, and even a celebratory confetti cannon, marking a pivotal achievement for the WCHS theatre department.

Having premiered last fall at the high school, “My Heart Says Go” garnered the affection of audiences in Kosciusko County and secured a coveted spot on the 2024 International Thespian Festival Main Stage. This global event, taking place from June 23-28 at Indiana University in Bloomington, will feature only nine high school productions from around the world.

It stands as the highest accolade for any high school theatre department and a historic milestone for WCHS theatre.

“My Heart Says Go” weaves a tale of the potency of following one’s heart and the enduring essence of love and dreams. It is a vibrant celebration of taking risks and the resilience of persistence.

As an added treat, the WCHS theatre department has decided to present two encore performances of the musical on the WCHS Performing Arts Stage before heading to the ITF. These repeat shows offer the community an opportunity to experience the magic of the production once again or for the first time.

The encore performances are scheduled for 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18. The PAC doors will open an hour prior to each showtime, with the theater opening 30 minutes before.

Tickets, priced at $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors, can be purchased in advance online or by contacting the box office at (574) 371-5040. Limited tickets will also be available at the door.

Featuring a local cast of over 20 WCHS students and an additional dozen or more students in student-led crew positions, “My Heart Says Go” originated from the creative minds of then-Notre Dame students Jorge “Jay” Rivera-Herrans and University of Notre Dame musical theater professor and director Matt Hawkins.

The musical’s journey form a high school premiere to an international stage exemplifies the transformative power of the arts and the exceptional talent nurtured within the WCHS theatre department.

WCHS’s theatre department will have two encore performances of “My Heart Says Go” on Saturday, May 18.