Russell Ringland, founder of Future Forestry, receives a check for $750 raised by the Wolf Creek Collective in its recent production of “The Lorax” at Cultural Park Theater. Photos Courtesy of Patrick O'Photos

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” This famous quote from beloved children’s author Dr. Suess comes from one his most treasured tales – “The Lorax.”

Two weekends ago, a group of 24 kids put Dr. Suess’ famous words, and book, into action. The kids of the Wolf Creek Collective, a youth theater company located in Cape Coral, performed a live-stage adaptation of the popular Suess story at Cultural Park Theater.

The performance was the culmination of a 2-week summer program entitled “Make-A-Musical.” Children at the camp take a story that is not yet being performed as live theater and transform it so it can be produced as a full length musical. They adapt a script, workshop characters and set scenes to determine the best way to get the story across to live audiences. “The Lorax” is the first Make-A-Musical camp production to come from the emerging theater company.

Wolf Creek Collective, which just recently celebrated its one-year anniversary of opening in Southwest Florida, is a unique theater experience for children ages 5-18. All aspects of each show are created entirely by the kids. Children direct, choreograph, write, work backstage and even run the tech booth for all Wolf Creek shows.

“The Lorax” was no different than main stage shows, with choreography by 15-year-old Liam Hutt, stage management by 13-year-old Addison Kalbhenn, and tech booth operations led by 12-year-old Kaylee Sears. The backdrops and set pieces were created and hand-painted by 10-year-old Natalie Pim and her 13-year-old sister, Katie.

Proceeds from the entire production’s ticket sales went 100% to charity. Wolf Creek partnered with Future Forestry, a non-profit organization that rebuilds the natural canopy right here in our own SWFL. Its mission is to rebuild our forests, and in the process, clean the air, water and make a great home for more native plants and wildlife in the area.

“The Lorax,” which is about the dangers of deforestation and the need for people to plant and care about trees to clean up the environment, was a perfect match for an organization like Future Forestry who aims to do the same thing in our town.

At the end of the show the cast invited Russell Ringland, founder of Future Forestry, onstage to present him with a check for the $750 the performance raised.

For more information on Future Forestry or how you can be involved in its mission, please visit futureforestry.org.

The Wolf Creek Collective, a children’s youth theater company owned by Bridey Kearns, is located at 2722 Skyline Blvd., Cape Coral. For additional information, call 239-338-7107 or visit www.capewolfpak.com