OTTAWA - WilleyWorld Community Productions has announced the next presentation by the Starved Rock Country Children’s Learning Theatre. “Is This Seat Taken?” is a unique combination of monologues and short plays that will be presented at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29.

This full-length program will be presented at the 807 Building Performance Space, 807 LaSalle St., Ottawa (above Jeremiah Joe Coffee).

“We’ve been offering the children’s learning theatre concept since fall of 2014 with two instructional sessions and productions per year,” said founder and artistic director Walt Willey, who is perhaps best known for portraying Jackson Montgomery on ABC’s “All My Children” for almost 25 years. “It is a fusion of classes and rehearsals culminating in a presentation for the public. Our seventh production, a combination of monologues and short plays promises to be a fun, funny, family-oriented romp allowing all our student actors to take center stage and work in ensembles.”

Willey said the student actors have taken to these monologues and really enjoy building the characters. “They are particularly excited because this is our first production featuring the inner life of ‘tweens,’ so to speak. And it’s not strictly for a younger audience. It’s for – as they say - children of all ages,” he added.

The Starved Rock Country Children’s Learning Theatre is based on a very successful children’s theatre that Willey’s son, Chance, attended in Santa Fe, N.M. “I saw firsthand how a program like this helped young people develop skills, confidence, appreciation for the arts and process, and friendships with other like-minded young people that lasted for years – right into adulthood for many,” said Willey. “We graduated a good many of our original members who had been with us for three years - every session - just last year. This new group, containing veterans of earlier sessions who take natural leadership roles, is every bit as talented and committed as our original group.”

Willey, who has made his living as an actor, writer and producer for over 30 years, teaches the classes, conducts the rehearsals and is directing the production. Devon Ford, who has a background in children’s theatre in the Joliet-area, assists Willey with instruction and technical support. “I take a very hands-on approach to this,” Willey said. “In addition, we employ accomplished builders, technicians and designers, all of whom contribute to the excellence of our productions.”

“Is This Seat Taken?” will feature returning students Oliver Ruvalcaba and Addison Ciesielski, and first-timers Abbey Thumm, Kate Serby, Mylee Meyers, Lillie Hansen, Ivy Cook, Brooklyn Byone and Connor Treest.

Tickets are available online at WaltWilleyWorld.com.