Senatobia, Miss. – On the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico right now, there’s more than just a Surf Shack to save, but at The Baddour Center, that’s been the only thing on actors’ and play-goers’ minds these days.

 

A story about a brave girl who risks everything to save her family’s surf shop, “Wipeout!” was presented by the Wonder Players, a drama team comprised of residents of The Baddour Center.

 

The production, which was sponsored by Smith & Nephew, was held June 24 - 27^th at the John Dustin Buckman Enrichment Activity Center on The Baddour Center campus in Senatobia, Miss.

 

Shortly after the curtains opened, guests found out that the owners of the quaint Avalon Beach surf shop, affectionately referred to as The Shack, were selling out to Mr. Saucelito, a money-hungry, crooked entrepreneur who owned everything in the tourist attraction Cove.

 

As you can imagine, this musical unfolded with drama of two teenage rival cliques competing in a national magazine’s surf competition, one hoping to use the prize money to save The Shack and the other on a quest for popularity. And few plots are complete without a budding romance or a rebellious teenager challenging her parents, both of which were in “Wipeout!”

 

“Contrary to popular belief, life is not all about winning,” said Lori Parker, Manager of Expressive Arts and Director of “Wipeout!” “This production reminds each of us that doing our best and persevering through life’s difficult journey are the only ways to truly win.”

 

In the end though, the only person disappointed was Mr. Saucelito. The Shack would continue to operate, and the surf magazine deemed Avalon Beach the best surfing in the nation, giving surfers and tourists the incentive to catch a wave there, not the Cove.

 

With each of the four performances in four days, the 47-member cast sketched hope into the heart of everyone who worked with them or attended the play.

 

“Each member of the Wonder Players drama team never ceases to amaze me,” said Parker. “They work hard for over six months, giving up much of their leisure time to memorize lines and attend practices, but in the end we have so much fun dancing and singing along!

 

“And I always have a few guests tell me how amazed they are by the residents’ performance,” continued Parker. “I like to think of the play as focusing on residents’ abilities, not disabilities, and a magnificent display of God’s grace and His gifts because every resident is a star!”

 

An estimated 400 guests attended the annual production, which is open and free to the public.

 

The Baddour Center’s mission is to provide a model residential community for adults with intellectual disabilities in an environment that promotes maximum growth intellectually, spiritually, physically, socially, emotionally, and vocationally.

 

For information about The Baddour Center, contact Cassie Smith, Public Relations Coordinator, toll-free at 1.888.4BADDOUR, ext. 1-231, locally at 662.366.6931, by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit The Center’s website at www.baddour.org.

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