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This
page (Page #9) has great articles from newspapers and school
newsletters. Check out all these great comments about ArtReach
popular titles: The Reluctant Dragon,
Sleepy Hollow, Emperor's
New Clothes, Peter
Pan, Treasure Island, The
Wizard of Oz, The Jungle Book, Mulan,
The Wizard of Oz, The Velveteen Rabbit.
Young
Actors to Put ArtReach's ‘The Reluctant Dragon’ on Stage
Daily
Sitka Sentinel,
Alaska
Lily
Perez SPECIAL TO THE SENTINEL
Twenty-seven
students of the Sitka Fine Arts Camp’s Young Performers Theater
are set to open their latest production, The Reluctant Dragon, on
Friday at the Odess Theater.
The
play follows the adventures of Widget and Hairytoes, two young
people who befriend a quirky dragon named Mortimer, and go on to
protect the dragon from Queen Fancy Pants, who demands that all
dragons be slayed.
"The
story, by local students, can appeal to any audience."
ArtReach's
"The
Reluctant Dragon" - Sitka
Fine Arts Camp’s Young Performers Theater, AK
Playwright
Kathryn Schultz Miller adapted the script for the show from a 1898
short story by Kenneth Grahame.
YPT
Director Zeke Blackwell said that the story, as performed by local
students, can appeal to any audience.
“It’s
a silly story with a sweetheart,” Blackwell said in an
interview this week. “It’s got all of these goofy things
that happen.
“There
are gurus who sit on top of Chilly Mountain, and shepherds talking
in limericks, but really it’s a story about letting people be
themselves and not reducing people to stereotypes,” Blackwell said.
"It’s
a story about letting people be themselves."
 
ArtReach's
"The
Reluctant Dragon" - Sitka
Fine Arts Camp’s Young Performers Theater, AK
Eleven-year
old Edie Farley plays Mortimer, the quirky dragon that stars in the show.
Describing
her character this week, Farley said that “she loves to drink
tea and eat carrots, and she loves flowers and crumpets.
“I
love that she has a British accent, and that she doesn’t
understand the human world,” Farley said. “She’s
hilarious and I love to play her.”
Throughout
the show, Farley’s character faces fear and misunderstanding
from villagers and royalty alike, and must overcome the stereotype
that all dragons are monsters.
Eleven-year-old
Ella Kubacki, who plays Hairytoes, said that her role in the show is
her favorite in the three years she’s been in the YPT program.
For
Kubacki, theater is an exciting chance to “make new friends and
play someone that you’re not.”
Nine-year
old Ryker Goddard, who plays St. George the Night, agrees.
“Make
new friends and play someone that you’re not.”
 
ArtReach's
"The
Reluctant Dragon" - Sitka
Fine Arts Camp’s Young Performers Theater, AK
Goddard
said that he enjoys theater as an opportunity to spend time
“with a lot of my friends, and practicing my lines, and putting
in the work.”
Blackwell
and the cast of 27 students began rehearsals in January. Some are
taking the stage for the first time, while others arrived with
several performances under their belt.
YPT
also offers community members with hands-on experience in technical theater.
The
lighting design for this production was done by Kaylin McCrehin, and
scenic design was assisted by Kieran Wentzel, both students at Sitka High.
Parents
and community members, including AmeriCorps service members and
Outer Coast students, have put in hours building the set,
constructing costumes, and helping out backstage during dress
rehearsals and final performances.
Broadway
RFD presents ArtReach's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Headless
Horseman to hit the stage
Cheyenne
Derksen Schroeder, The Journal Star, Dundee,
MI
The
Headless Horseman will - literally - ride through Lindsborg after
Ichabod Crane Thursday and Friday as part of Broadway RFD's
performance of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
Director
Tyler Johnson explained that audiences will be immersed in
Washington Irving's classic tale of ghost stories, love triangles and
pranks gone awry. Patrons will watch Ichabod Crane, Brom Van Brunt
and Katrina Van Tassel in historic locations at the Old Mill, where
the outdoor setting allows the cast to interact with a real horse
without the limitations of the stage.
"The
Headless Horseman will - literally - ride through Lindsborg."
  
ArtReach's
The Legend of
Sleepy Hollow - Broadway RFD at Old
Mill Museum, Dundee, MI
"The
script is written for stage but we have a great back drop at the Old
Mill," Johnson said. "The outdoor setting and the live
horse really make it unique to what you'd find in a theater. It's fun
around Halloween because its spooky but not scary, and it's novel
because it's not what you'd normally get in a sit-down show."
The
cast of eight, counting the horse, will perform two shows each
night, at 7:30 and 9 p.m. tonight and Friday at The Old Mill Museum
Heritage Square, 120 Mill St. in Lindsborg.
"The
outdoor setting allows the cast to interact with a real horse."
 
ArtReach's
The Legend of
Sleepy Hollow - Broadway RFD at Old
Mill Museum, Dundee, MI
The
thought of a walking performance shouldn't scare any theater-goers -
the audience will walk about 300 yards between scenes for the one-act
play - but dress warmly, Johnson said.
"It's
a simple short show, so we were really able to use the location and
the horse to make something special," Johnson said. "The
actual adaptation has four narrators that describe the scene, so the
audience can both watch and imagine. It's more about the location and
the storytelling part of it."
Johnson
is primarily an actor, last appearing in Broadway RFD's summer
performance of "The Wizard of Oz." His debut as a director
illuminated things actors don't see, like trouble with props or
schedules, but the tale itself pulls the cast and crew into creating
a spooky show.
"The
audience can both watch and imagine."
 
ArtReach's
The Legend of
Sleepy Hollow - Broadway RFD at Old
Mill Museum, Dundee, MI
"The
end is the best part after the build up and the love triangle comes
to a head," Johnson said. "Ichabod is a superstitious
fellow and he's been filled with scary stories, so when he meets the
apparition of the headless horseman, that culmination is definitely
the best part."
Tickets
are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and children ages 12 and under
get in free with a paid adult. Purchase tickets online at
https://www.broadwayrfd.org/shop or by calling the Lindsborg
Convention and Visitors Bureau at 888-227-2227.
AAJHS
Drama Club to present ArtReach's ‘Emperor's
New Clothes’
Altoona
Mirror, PA
The
Altoona Area Junior High School Drama Club will present “The
Emperor’s New Clothes.” Public performances are
scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, with a matinee show at 1 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 18. All performances will take place in the Altoona
Area Junior High School auditorium.
Based
on the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen, “The
Emperor’s New Clothes” is a favorite children’s story.
Packed
with action, laughs and magic tricks, lots of laughs are in store
when Peter, the mischievous tailor, comes up with a sure-fire get
rich quick scheme to embarrass the vain Emperor and make off with a
basket of jewels and gold.
"Packed
with action, laughs and magic tricks."
 
Altoona
Area Junior High School Drama Club
- Camp Dancing Birds, El Sargento, BCS Mexico
Courtesy
photo Rehearsing for the Altoona Area Junior High School’s
production of “The
Emperor’s New Clothes” are (from left): Owen Hofer
(Peter #2), Abigail Chverchko (Tilt), Claire Long (Empress) and
Sawyer Worthy (Turn).
Peter
convinces the court he can make magic clothes and the web of deceit
starts spinning! Only those who are very smart can see the clothes,
he tells them. And everyone pretends they can see the clothes until&ldots;
Someone
shouts out the truth.
The
show is being directed and produced by drama club faculty advisers
Stacy Palilla and Jordan Giordano, along with assistant Lindsay Smith.
General
admission tickets will only be on sale at the door and will cost $8
for adults and $5 for students. Doors open approximately half-hour
before each show.
ArtReach's
"Peter Pan" Flies Into Lucerne Valley
Lucerne
Valley Unified School District CA
By
Peter Day
After
months of rehearsals, the Lucerne Valley Elementary School Drama
Club actors transported three separate audiences to Never, Never Land
during the presentation of the classic tale of "Peter
Pan."
Directed
by Chris Pennington and LeeAnn Lambert, LVES Drama performed three
shows, Friday and Saturday evenings with one Mother's Day matinee on
May 12. The cast consisted of more than 25 young actors who
brought the fanciful story of a young boy who can fly and never grows
up to life. In a create casting decision, Zoey Davis and Daphne Demke
shared the lead role with one taking the two-act show's first half,
and the other taking the second. When Zoey and Daphne weren't playing
Peter, they assumed the role of the Crocodile.
"More
than 25 young actors brought the story to life."
 
ArtReach's Peter
Pan - Let Your Light Shine Youth Theatre, Centralia MO
Evan
Lambert portrayed Pan's Shadow and also Tootles while Yuccel Rocis
was Tinkerbell. Captain Hook was portrayed by Arelyn, Wendy was
played by Scarlett, Tiger Lily was played by Belinda.
Other
roles were played by Aubrey Stiles (Winkie), Ariana Garcia
(Stellar), Marly (Mother), Irvin Angeles (Michael), Cody Blackwell
(Great Big Little Panther), Seth Hite (Lean Wolf), Omar Garcia
(Tattoo Bill and Skylights), Derby Demke (Smee), Charlie Rogers
(Harry), Chailyn Hite (Pearl), Rickie Simpson (Moonglow) and Rileigh
Rollins (Sparkle).
"A
young boy who can fly and never grows up."
 
ArtReach's Peter
Pan - Let Your Light Shine Youth Theatre, Centralia MO
Additional
roles were played by Faith Hernandez (Flashy), Caleb (Father), Aidan
Moore (John), Angelica (Nana), Lona Malone (Nibs), Emma Rogers
(Terry) and Valkyrie Simpson (Starfish).
Playing
a huge role in bringing "Peter Pan" to life are the
costume and set designers who captured the tone and color of the
play. Victoria Enright served as the stage manager and former LVES
actor Kylie Lambert, now an LVMHS 7th-grader, served as the assistant
stage manager.
The
ever-dedicated Lambert family weren't done, however. Joe Lambert
once again served ably as the sound and lighting engineer. Steve
Boggio was Joe's assistant sound and lighting technician.
"Actors
transported three separate audiences to Never, Never Land."
 
ArtReach's Peter
Pan - Let Your Light Shine Youth Theatre, Centralia MO
Directors
Pennington and Lambert previously directed the Drama Club's holiday
production, "The North Pole's Got Talent!" They have taken
over directing duties from teachers Luichoy Hirschhorn and Kay Hall,
who oversaw the program for several years.
The
LVES Drama Club thanks Sarah Courtney and Joei Miller of LVES
Booster Club and Burt Umstead, LVES principal, for their unwavering support.
‘Treasure
Island: Young Pirates of the Caribbean’ musical caps Civic
Center camp
AVAST,
ME HEARTIES, ArtReach's Popular
Musical
Nampa,
Idaho Press
Shiver
me timbers and ahoy there, mates. Time for a pirate adventure.
Participants in the Nampa Civic Center’s Musical Theatre Camp
culminate their two-week stage experience Friday with a performance
of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure
Island: Young Pirates of the Caribbean.”
"Shiver
me timbers and ahoy there, mates."
 
Arts Live Theatre,
Fayetteville AR - ArtReach's Treasure
Island
Sixty-seven
youngsters from Canyon County and beyond — ages 6 to 9 —
make up the junior pirates while students 9 to 18 are the older
buccaneers. They have learned every aspect of theater performance at
the camp. The students have gained hands-on experience acting,
singing and dancing. They have also learned about set design, makeup
and other aspects of live theater.
“Our
youth are our treasure and I love watching them grow from the very
shy kid the first day to walking out on the stage with confidence by
the performance,” Patricia Walker White, the Civic Center’s
arts and community development coordinator, said. “And because
this is our sixth year, we have kids that return every summer that
are now mentors to new kids coming in. It’s a great program that
we put a lot of hard work and heart into and it pays off when you see
their faces while they are on stage.”
The
story: Young
Jill Hawkins (Megan White) and a crew of pirates including Long John
Silver (Triston Jackson) take you on an adventure for hidden treasure
and fun. Hawkins is having such a bad day she almost forgets it’s
Halloween. Everything goes wrong at school, and for dinner mother
insists she eat something healthy. She refuses. Little does she know,
her great adventure is about to begin. Ben Gunn (Nick Wiles)
and Polly Parrot (Jensen Gunnel) add a bit of humor to the treasure hunt.
"It
pays off when you see their faces on stage.”
 
Arts Live Theatre,
Fayetteville AR - ArtReach's Treasure
Island
Watch
as young people portray those who dreamed of adventure on the high
seas as they play out those dreams in this delightful musical.
Camp
skills: Teamwork
and communication skills are a key element to theater and this camp
draws on all of those skills. This camp provides educational
opportunities for youth in theater that they might not have access to
otherwise. It also inspires youth in many ways.
"They
play out those dreams in this delightful musical."
 
Arts Live Theatre,
Fayetteville AR - ArtReach's Treasure
Island
“What
I learned in camp helped me do my science presentation to the whole
school,” said one young man last year.
“As
area schools have to look at cutting the arts back to fit budgets,
I’m grateful to have a place to send my students,” said one
local music teacher.
The
directors: Director
Courtney Ransom leads this merry band of pirates on this grand
treasure hunt. She is joined by The College of Idaho interns Ellen
Campbell and Taylor Hawker. Campbell and Hawker have held workshops
that included stage combat, and the play includes a pirate fight scene.
Newbury's
young actors are all heart performing ArtReach's
The Wizard of Oz
Newbury
Today: Newbury News and Media Limited, UK
By
Trish Lee Review by ROBIN STRAPP
Corn
Exchange Infant and Junior Youth Theatre: ArtReach's
The Wizard of Oz, at the Corn Exchange, from April 14 to 16.
If
you followed the Yellow Brick Road on the floor from foyer to the
auditorium in the Corn Exchange it led to Kansas and their Infant and
Junior Youth Theatre's production of The Wizard of Oz, with the motif
of the road repeated on the stage as yellow carpets were rolled out.
A nice touch.
"Yellow
carpets were rolled out. A nice touch."
 
Corn
Exchange Infant and Junior Youth Theatre performs ArtReach's
The Wizard of Oz
This
large enthusiastic cast (too many to name all individually) were
dressed in colourful costumes and performed with energy. In fact,
there were two casts who alternate at each performance.
At
the matinee performance I saw, the role of Dorothy was shared
between three actors (Beatrice Cratchley, Dora Hopps and Miley
Warwick) who confidently embraced the innocence and strength of her character.
When
a tornado hit her small farming town, she was magically transported
together with her dog Toto, to the world of Oz. Here she met Glinda
(Matilda Reynolds), the powerful good witch who helped Dorothy on her
quest to find the Wizard. And so her adventure began as she met The
Scarecrow (Ed Gooday), who was searching for a brain.
"This
was a most enjoyable production!"
 
Corn
Exchange Infant and Junior Youth Theatre performs ArtReach's
The Wizard of Oz
Dexter
Sewell was the Tin Man, cleverly costumed wearing a distressed Heinz
baked bean can and a saucepan for a hat. He lost his heart as the
wicked witch (Maria Doney) took it away and he was desperate to
recover it.
Completing
the trio was the Lion (Lizzie Auld) who was no longer brave and
needed to find his courage again. But would the Wizard solve all of
their problems?
Their
journey took them through an apple orchard and a beautiful field of
flowers, but their potent scent sent them to sleep.
"The
whole company should be congratulated."
  
Corn
Exchange Infant and Junior Youth Theatre performs ArtReach's
The Wizard of Oz
The
cheeky young munchkins were a delight as they offered their help,
but Dorothy and her new friends still had to find the Wizard - and
who exactly was he?
Their
pathway to Oz was hindered by the gatekeeper (Milo Mathers) who
initially refused them entry. The projection of the wizard as a
prehistoric monster was an inventive concept.
Directed
by Marcus Bazley, this was a most enjoyable production and the whole
company should be congratulated on their successful
performances. Well done!
Applebox
theater presents ArtReach's The
Jungle Book
By Audrey Caro,
Polk County Itemizer-Observer
MONMOUTH —
The themes of community and family that run through The
Jungle Book also are apparent in The Apple Box Children’s
Theater production of the Rudyard Kipling classic.
The theater
collaborated with several other entities, including Arts Integrated
Ministry, Children’s Educational Theater and Central High
School’s performing arts department, said Rob Harriman.
“It’s
really cool. I’m really enjoying it.”
Rob Harriman
coaches the cast of The
Jungle Book before rehearsal
Most of the
masks used in the play are from Central High School, he said, and
Apple Box has lent costumes to CHS for other productions. Western
Oregon University is taking care of the sound.
“It’s
a reminder that for as small of (an area) as this is, there is a huge
pool of people invested in doing this,” Harriman said.
“There are four solid kids’ theater programs (in the area).”
Harriman is
directing the play and Barbara Harriman, his wife, is the production
manager. Rob read through the book with their daughter Fiona and she
added some scenes, he said.
Kathryn Schultz
Miller adapted the book.
“The
author of the play said do whatever you want with it,” Harriman
said. “We recalibrated the play to make it fit into our vision
of the author’s vision.”
Harriman said
he enjoys the theme of community and working together that is implied
throughout The Jungle Book.
"This
production of The
Jungle Book is
truer to the source material."
 
Kankakee Valley Theatre
Association, Wheatfield IN
The story
follows the journey of Mowgli, a boy who was raised by a family of
wolves since his birth, but must flee his home for safety from Shere
Khan, the tiger.
“The
biggest challenge will be breaking away from the Disney version of
the story,” Harriman said.
The Apple Box
Children’s Theater production of The
Jungle Book is “truer to the source material,” he said.
They reinserted
the poems that are at the beginning of each chapter in Kipling’s book.
In its eighth
season, the theater group is experiencing some firsts with The Jungle
Book production — it’s the largest cast, at 51, and it is
the first production that features choreography.
Children from
The Dance & Fitness Studio were in last year’s play and were
asked to be involved this year, Harriman said.
“That’s
how we got so many kids,” he said.
There are four
dance numbers, choreographed by Janey Jefferson and Bethany Allen,
the dance studio.
“In
auditions, we asked if they wanted to dance,” Harriman said.
“A lot of the kids were really excited about dancing.”
"The
story follows the journey of Mowgli."
The cast of The
Jungle Book rehearses a scene at Western
Oregon University.
The casts for
Apple Box Theater productions are 8 to 14 years old. Veteran
participant Haley Taylor, 16, passed the age limit to act in the
plays, so she is taking on the role of assistant manager/stage director.
“It’s
fun to see from new perspective,” Taylor said. “It’s
really cool. I’m really enjoying it.”
Mulan
play entertains area children
Panola College
Theatre Department presented “The
Legend of Mulan”
The Panola College Theatre
Department will present “The
Legend of Mulan – A Children’s Play” at 10 a.m.,
Friday, May 3, and at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, May 4, in the Q.M. Martin
Auditorium. Both performances are free and open to the public.
“’The Legend of
Mulan’ is an interactive play for children of all ages,”
said Karen King, theatre director. “This play is our annual
children’s event for area schools. We have invited several area
schools to bring their students to the play.”
The 1998 Disney movie is now
considered a classic, but the story of Mulan is adapted from ancient
Chinese legend about a young girl who takes her father’s place
in battle. She becomes a warrior-heroine and her story is a cultural
icon for the Chinese people.
The Legend of Mulan is an
exciting play about the tale of the heroic Mulan, a woman living in
Northern Wei Dynasty China, who has snuck into the army to save China
so that her wounded father will not have to fight again against the
barbaric Huns. Mulan takes her father’s sword and rises to the
challenge to fight in the Chinese Army.
"The
audience was invited to hold their swords high, shout, stomp and clap."
  
The Panola College Theatre
Department, TX - ArtReach's The
Legend of Mulan
Panola College Theatre
Department presented “The
Legend of Mulan” on Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, in the
Q.M. Martin Auditorium. Designed for children’s theatre, the
play invites the audience to interact with the cast. Theatre students
handed out play swords and, on cue, the audience was invited to hold
their swords high, shout, stomp and clap.
Set in ancient China, “The
Legend of Mulan,” involves the audience in assisting Mulan in
her efforts to defeat the Huns.
Cast members included Peyton
Proffitt, Justin Gonzales, Tony Jeter, Jasmine Ryan, Abby Parrish,
Sarah Owens, Christian Kotara, Keath Kibbey, Bethany Crowe, Lacie
Sepulvado, Angel Kammer, Addie Pope, Tailer Chong and Shelby Watson.
Crew members included Maria
Mejai, Kyree Williams, Katy Chance, Bethany Crow, Catalina Zoyquilla,
Hannah Williams and Jesse Williams.
The play was directed by Karen
King, professor of theatre, and Kyree Williams, student director. The
play was presented with special permission from ArtReach
Children’s Theatre Plays.
Photos by Katy Chance.
'The
Wizard of Oz' by Middlebury Elementary School
One hundred
sixty students took part in their first theatrical experience; one
played the Wizard of Oz.
"A
heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are
loved by others."
Wizard in The
Wizard of Oz
Middlebury, CT - One hundred
sixty students that attend Middlebury Elementary School are clearly
loved a lot by others. With great joy, they presented a lovely
production of ArtReach's 'The
Wizard of Oz' on the stage of Memorial Middle School on Thursday
evening with the help of many parents and staff members of their
school. Only one performance remains on Friday evening at 7pm and
admission is one item for the Middlebury Food Bank.
Director MaryLou Torre, the
interim principal of Middlebury Elementary School, understands the
importance of theatre in our schools. "The project was all about
process. The rehearsals and practices were as much as a part of the
experience as the performance you will see tonight. Fun and freedom
of expression for the students and the directors were key goals along
this journey."
"Fun
and Freedom of Expression"
Middlebury
Elementary School (CT) - ArtReach's
The Wizard of Oz
This version of the classic
book by L. Frank Baum is a play adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller. It
included a huge chorus of "vivacious" students in a rainbow
of t-shirts that narrated the story with choral reading from the
bleachers house left. The cast included six different girls in the
role of Dorothy, four different Scarecrows, two Tin Man characters,
two Lions, two Gatekeepers and many, many others. Everyone had their
own wonderful costume; kudos to Amy Raefski on her adorable design
work and to the large costume crew.
Corinna Flanagan and Kathy
Miller served as the Art Director/Set Design team. The panels of the
set were painted by a large group of students (shout out to Nick
Salvucci) that got to wear cool painted t-shirts on opening night.
Michael Kaulins served as AD and Lydia McCarthy did the choreography.
Chris Turecek was the Music Director/Tech Director. Community theatre
actor/dad Ian Diedrich did the prop construction, including the head
of the wizard painted on a white curtain; shout out to Kalman Zold
who played Oz. Michaela Turecek did the pretty impressive make-up for
the actors that needed an unnatural face color. I had a great
reserved seat in the front row, but the sound with microphones on
stands was really very good throughout the gym.
A bunch of young male actors
was the pretty adorable Flying Monkeys with Luke Humphrey as Chimp,
Emma Taglialatella as Scamp and Kyleigh Favale as Rascal. Eva
Guerrera rocked the role of the "they don't call me wicked for
nothing" Witch and melted impressively. Addison Mitchell and
Owen Lattanzio did well with the shared role of the Gatekeepers. Ryan
Dawes and Madison Ferguson were both good Lions and Cole Hughes and
Luke Jackson in full silver were effective Tin Man, I mean Men.
Scarecrows were Matteo DelBuono, Caitlin Flaherty, Peter Skabardonis,
and Kiera Daweese.
"They
don't call me wicked for nothing..."
Middlebury
Elementary School (CT) - ArtReach's
The Wizard of Oz
Glinda in the classic pink
dress and crown was played well by Rachel Anderson, accompanied by
bubbles. Featured Munchkins included Ryan Murray (Joe,) Emily Raefski
(Curly,) and Hunter Diedrich returned to the stage to play Burly.
Leah Wasserstein was Auntie Em and Jack Sedensky was Uncle Henry.
Joey Bernardi barked well in the role of Toto because there was no
stuffed dog in a basket in this play. The poppy scene gave new
meaning to "pulling my leg" in a cute way.
The gaggle of girls in the
blue and white gingham included Emma Kulla, Faith Graziano, Lauren
Anderson, Grace Jackson, Elizabeth Raefski and Aubrey Guiditta. The
most adorable Munchkins specialized in stealing hearts in their
floral hats and technicolor outfits. Best featured ensemble was
billed as "The Forest" and included Brailee Batista, Evan
Deschaine, Lilyana Reed and Shaelyn Walsh as the apple-throwing trees
with lots of attitude.
"Congratulations
on a job well done."
  
ArtReach's
The Wizard of Oz
- Gaslight Kids Drama Camp, Enid OK
The curtain closed between the
scenes and if the transitions were a bit long, what the audience saw
when they reopened was worth the wait. The students could never be
heard backstage and that can be hard for the very young. The director
shared during her curtain speech that the young thespians, some as
young as six, had been practicing since January, during which time
their "little school play" grew into a full 55-minute
production. The students all knew their lines and if they hadn't
expected to perform in front of people sitting in the 600 seats, it
did not show.
Thank you to this elementary
school staff for giving most of these young performers their first
theatrical experience in a safe setting. Congratulations on a job
well done.
ArtReach's
'Velveteen Rabbit' brings holiday magic to musical life
The
Journal, New Ulm, by Clay Schuldt
NEW
ULM - State Street Theater Company (SSTC) is kicking off the holiday
season with a Christmas version of Margery Williams' book, "The
Velveteen Rabbit."
Performances
of ArtReach's "The
Velveteen Rabbit: A Christmas Musical" are 7 p.m. Friday,
Nov. 26, 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28.
"The
Velveteen Rabbit," tells the story of a stuffed rabbit
(played by Karina Koracan) given to a small boy named Michael (Emmett
Gaalswyk) as a Christmas present.
At
first, Michael prefers the mechanical toys but later comes to love
the velveteen rabbit the most. The rabbit hopes to someday be a real
rabbit, but can only achieve this through the love of his owner. The
story follows the relationship between the boy and rabbit as he grows older.
This
production of the story emphasizes the Christmas elements of the
story. Several classic Christmas songs are interwoven through the
play but sung using different lyrics based on the Velveteen Rabbit story.
"The
musical promises to be fun for the whole family."
State Street
Theatre Company (MN) - ArtReach's The
Velveteen Rabbit
The
cast of toys gather with young Michael on the bedroom set of
"The Velveteen Rabbit: A Christmas Musical." Back row L to
R: Paul Henning (Skin Horse), Monkey (Elijah Friese), Jacob Haugen
(Jack in the Box), David Henning (Donkey) Ash Larson (Robbie) and
Lucy Gaalswyk (Tin Soldier). Front row: Karina Koracan (Velveteen
Rabbit), Evelyn Helget (Raggedy Anne), and Emmett Gaalswyk (Young Michael).
The
Velveteen Rabbit, played by Karina Koracan, climbs out of a sack
after being thrown away.
Actors
range in age from 8 to their 60's. The play is directed by Sarah
Tetzloff, with Bonnie Lantz as assistant director. Undertaking
costume design and prop selection are Deborah Ingle and designing and
constructing the set were done by Eric Fliszar. Lantz and Ingle are
also cast in the production.
"The
play is a heartwarming Christmas tale."
 
State Street
Theatre Company (MN) - ArtReach's The
Velveteen Rabbit
The
play has been in rehearsal since late September. Tetzloff described
the play as a heartwarming Christmas tale. She praised the cast for
making it a fun experience.
"I've
been having a lot of fun with the actors it has been great working
with them," Tetzloff said.
Another
fun aspect of the play is the set. The musical has two set
locations, Michael's bedroom and the woods outside the house. Fliszar
was able to create two sets in a single location. The main set was
built on wheels that can rotate during scenes. The cast can
spin the bedroom scene around to the outdoors set within 20 seconds.
Assistant
director Lantz added the details to the bedroom scene, painting
letter block stools for the toy characters and detailing the
wallpaper. Lantz said she used every trick to bring the set to life.
The set even includes a picture of the original Velveteen Rabbit book cover.
Lantz
said one of the best parts of doing this production is everyone
likes the legend of toy rabbits coming to life through love.
"Audience
members are invited backstage to meet the cast."
State Street
Theatre Company (MN) - ArtReach's The
Velveteen Rabbit
The
musical promises to be fun for the whole family. The first
production starts immediately following the New Ulm Parade of Lights.
Following the Sunday matinee performance, audience members are
invited backstage to meet the cast and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa.
Tickets
for performances are available at the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce,
New Ulm Hy-Vee, and online at statestreetnewulm.org. Patrons are
asked to park either in the theater parking lot off Washington Street
or on the street.
The
Velveteen Rabbit: A Christmas Musical is presented by special
arrangement with Art-Reach Children's Theater Plays. The production
is also made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from
the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts
Board and legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural
Heritage Fund.
In
the News Page 9:
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