The MSU Accafellas will bring their songs to the Howmet Playhouse on Friday, Oct. 26. The money raised from the concert will help fund the two youth theater education programs in the White Lake Area.

On Friday, Oct. 26, the Accafellas will take over the stage at the historic Howmet Playhouse with their tight harmonies and humorous antics. Thoroughly entertaining, the all-male college group blends the voices of eight members to create fresh renditions of classic rock hits, love songs, and the best pop hits.

Founded in 1996, the Accafellas have competed in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) for eight years. They have won multiple awards at these competitions for their musical arrangements and soloists. They have performed in Nashville and at the White House, and perform yearly Christmas concert at the Michigan Governor’s Mansion. Videos of the Accafellas can be found at their website, www.accafellas.com.

The money raised from the concert will benefit the two youth theater education programs in the White Lake area: the Nuveen Theatre Workshop at the Nuveen Community Center for the Arts and the White Lake Youth Theatre Education Program. The two programs provide theater education opportunities to students right in their own back yards, serving over 150 students from Whitehall, Montague, Muskegon, Reeths Puffer, North Muskegon, Orchard View, Grand Haven, Shelby and Hart school districts.

“I work very closely with Erin Charles and Alice Gamble of the Nuveen Center,” said Katie Trzaska, the managing director of the Howmet Playhouse and the WLYT program. “We collaborate to raise money, share resources and sometimes produce shows together. The Nuveen Theatre Workshop focuses on musical theater, while WLYT focuses on performance of straight plays and teaching technical theater. Our partnership creates a good balance for students.” The best thing, Trzaska said, is that students can walk or ride their bikes to rehearsals and performances. “With busy parents and other siblings to care for, students can take part in our workshops and classes because they don’t have far to go. It makes it easier for kids to participate, and we have seen our numbers increase exponentially in the last four years.”

The funds raised from the Accafellas concert will fund workshop opportunities for both programs. “The two programs offer workshops and performance opportunities throughout the year, and we do our best to keep class fees affordable for families,” said Trzaska. Most classes for WLYT cost $10-15, and the six-week summer performance workshop costs $30. The six-week musical theater performance workshop at the Nuveen Center costs $60 per student; scholarships for students are available through both the Nuveen Center and the Playhouse.

“We are excited to host the MSU Accafellas because not only are they entertaining, but also are a great example for our students of how to keep the arts in their lives when they move on from high school,” said Trzaska. “The guys in the Accafellas all study different subjects, but all share a passion for music and have fun together.”