More than 18,000 students at 61 schools in Northwest Kansas, many of whom would likely never otherwise be exposed to professional theater, saw an original musical theater performance that explores the feelings associated with winning and losing.

Foundation funding supported the work of Creede Repertory Theatre from Creede, Colo., to develop and present the 2019 Young Audience Outreach Tour in Northwest Kansas. Creede Rep commissioned playwright Lojo Simon to create the play called Best Foot Forward, which features two characters who are seemingly very different, but learn to accept and respect one another.

Each student who attended also received a free copy of an original book designed to help support literacy while connecting the themes of the play into classroom activities.

Guest artists from across the country collaborated to make the production impactful.