Youth Theatre Presents: In the Heights

Performances June 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. and June 29 at 2:00 p.m.

In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood – a place where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music. It’s a community on the brink of change, full of hopes, dreams and pressures, where the biggest struggles can be deciding which traditions you take with you, and which ones you leave behind.

This dynamic and heartfelt musical brings together a cast of 20 young performers, ages 15 to 18, representing over 10 different cultures and ethnicities from schools throughout Lee County. Produced by longtime educator and Youth Theatre Director Carmen Crussard, In the Heights is a deeply personal project. Carmen began her work at the Alliance in 2012, launching the Youth Theatre program and producing more than 40 shows since, serving hundreds of students of all ages. She also serves as Theatre Director at Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts.

The show has been close to her heart since 2020, when she was directing an adult production that was halted due to the pandemic. Now, five years later, the time has come to bring it to life with a new generation of performers.
“This show is a celebration of family, identity, and finding home,” says Crussard. “To be able to tell this story now, with these incredibly passionate and talented young artists, is truly a full- circle moment, and a great way to end the season.”

The cast includes students from:
● Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts
● North Fort Myers High School
● Bishop Verot Catholic High School
● Ida S. Baker High School
● Oasis High School
—plus several college students home for the summer from Florida State University (FSU), Florida Atlantic University (FAU), and Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW).

The production is directed by Miguel Cintron, a theatre educator and close collaborator of Crussard, whose lived experience growing up in a Puerto Rican family in New York City brings a personal authenticity to the story. The creative team also features Kiana Cintron as choreographer and Lisa Clark as vocal director.

Set in New York City’s Washington Heights neighborhood, In the Heights—written by Lin-Manuel Miranda—is a story of dreams, community, and change. It’s a place where the coffee is light and sweet, the music never stops, and every block holds a story. With unforgettable music, electric choreography, and heartfelt emotion, the show explores the joys and challenges of preserving culture while chasing new opportunities.

Experience this inspiring vibrant, high-energy production celebrating culture, community, and supporting the creative youth of our community. Performances will be held at the Alliance for the Arts, in the Foulds Theatre.