Billie Jo and Judd Herberger Host Party to Honor Valley Youth Theatre
Performing arts enthusiasts Billie Jo and Judd Herberger hosted an intimate party in their Scottsdale Waterfront home May 14 to honor Valley Youth Theatre. The purpose of the evening was to increase awareness of Valley Youth Theatre as a professional performing arts organization and to highlight its 27-year record of developing leadership and success skills and its mission to inspire young people to be the best they can be.
The evening encompassed entertainment from the young stars of VYT’s upcoming production Disney’s The Little Mermaid, which will open June 10 at the Herberger Theater Center.
Accompanied by Mark Fearey, VYT’s resident musical director, Kayla Dobbs, who plays the mermaid Ariel, sang “Part of Your World” and “Beyond My Wildest Dreams.” Dobbs lives in Scottsdale and is a freshman at Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek.
Flounder, Ariel’s adorable and ever-fearful friend, played by 9-year-old Kylan Chait, sang “She’s in Love.” Nathan Sheppard, who plays the handsome Prince Eric, sang a melodically haunting song called “Her Voice.” Sheppard, a senior at Sandra Day O’Connor high School, received rave reviews for playing the lead in VYT’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Herberger Theater Center last August.
Guests joined in as Ira Hill, age 19, who plays Sebastian, sang “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl.”
PHOTOS BY DEANNA DENT
Billie Jo and Judd Herberger, Bobb and Karol Cooper, the cast of Disney’s The Little Mermaid – Kylan Chait (Flounder), Nathan Sheppard (Prince Eric), Kayla Dobbs (Ariel), Ira Hill (Sebastian) and Mark Fearey
Terrance Thornton and Lesley Deason
Katie Casey, Pam Kirby and Bobb Cooper
Mary Jane McCloskey, Cory McCloskey and Billie Jo Herberger
Ed and Nancy White
Judd and Billie Jo Herberger
Kylan Chat, Flounder in VYT’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and James Donavon, the Herbergers’ great-grandson, age 9
