This
page (Page #11) has great articles from newspapers and school
newsletters. Check out all these great comments about ArtReach
popular titles: Aladdin, The
Little Mermaid, Wizard of Oz,
Jack and the Beanstalk, The Nutcracker Prince, A
Thousand Cranes.
Children
experience magic, joy of theater in Theatre production of ArtReach's Aladdin
By
DAVID NERI - NEWS RECORD REPORTER
It
was a packed house at the American Legion Friday night as parents
gathered to watch kids aged 5-14 take the stage for a production of
Aladdin. It was the Gillette Community Theatre's annual children's
show, and they've worked on the play since the start of summer.
"The
play drew plenty of laughs and cheers."
ArtReach's Aladdin
- Gillette Community Theatre, Gillette WY
The
play drew plenty of laughs and cheers (as well as some well-timed
boos at the villain) from the audience as the kids ran through the
familiar story, although not without a few changes and twists.
"I
think it went amazing," said Assistant Director Constance
Pineda. "The kids have put so much time and effort into this.
It's been so cool to see them when they were struggling at first, and
then they've gotten so good over the past few weeks."
While
a common sight on the Gillette Community Theater stage, the play was
Pineda's first time working as part of the directing staff, a
transition she said was made a lot smoother by the kids themselves.
"I
think it went amazing!"
ArtReach's Aladdin
- Gillette Community Theatre, Gillette WY
"I
think it went really well and I think this is such an amazing group
of kids, that part of it made it so much easier," she said.
Director
Lindee Strandgard, who stepped in for the last stretch of production
after a family emergency required the original director to step back
from the project, also spoke of the kids' willingness to help each
other bring the play across the finish line.
"I
think everybody wants to feel like their knowledge is valuable and
like the things that they've learned are beneficial," Strandgard
said. "It looks like even before I stepped in, they've done a
great job of making sure that their older actors did have ways that
they could interact with younger ones to help pass that
knowledge."
Pineda
also spoke on the benefits of children's plays for the kids
involved, not only giving them a fun activity for the summer but
helping them decide early on if theater is something they are
interested in.
"Provides
more opportunities for the community's kids."
ArtReach's Aladdin
- Gillette Community Theatre, Gillette WY
"A
lot of theater doesn't start until middle school, or even high
school," said Pineda. "Giving them the opportunity to do
this as a kid when they have the time and the energy to experience
and experiment with things that they might enjoy, that sets them up
for the future."
While
this was the only children's production for the group this year,
Strandgard hopes to see that change in the future. Last year, the
group's board of directors voted to create a junior sub-board that is
focused on children's productions. Strandgard said the group is
recruiting volunteers to get its operations off the ground and
provide more opportunities for the community's kids. Those wishing to
participate or have further questions are asked to reach out via email.
Greencastle
Amateur Players' production is ArtReach's 'The Little Mermaid'
Echo
Pilot, Shawn Hardy, Greencastle PA
"Nearly
50 young performers will be featured."
ArtReach's "The
Little Mermaid" - Greencastle Amateur
Players, PA
Main
roles in the Greencastle Amateur Players' July 11 and 12, 2025,
production of 'The Little Mermaid' include, from left, Jake Daly as
Scuttle, Lucy Bizzarri as Ursula, Noah Robinson as Prince Eric,
Maxwil Hanks as King Triton, Lilah Placko as Ariel, Lennon Vincenti
as Flounder and Macy Beinbower as Sebastian.
Nearly
50 young performers will be featured when "The Little
Mermaid" is presented July 11 and 12 at the Jerome R. King
Playground bandshell.
They
are continuing a 20-plus-year legacy of 5- to 18-year-olds offering
a summer play.
"A
20-plus-year legacy of 5- to 18-year-olds offering a summer play."
ArtReach's "The
Little Mermaid" - Greencastle Amateur
Players, PA
The Greencastle
Amateur Players' cast of 'The Little Mermaid' is led by Ginger Moore,
left, director, and Elayna Hamm, stage manager. The play is July 11
and 12, 2025, at Jerome R. King Playground.
"The
Little Mermaid" tells the tale of Ariel, played by Lilah
Placko, a mermaid who longs to become human.
Shows
are planned for 7 p.m. July 11 and 2 and 7 p.m. July 12 at the
playground on North Carlisle Street.
"A
mermaid who longs to become human."
ArtReach's "The
Little Mermaid" - Greencastle Amateur
Players, PA
Playing Ariel's
sisters in the Greencastle Amateur Players' July 11 and 12, 2025,
production of 'The Little Mermaid' are, from left, Bernadette Criasia
as Adrina, Adella Paci-Funk as Adela, Amelia Carroll as Aquata,
Lilliana Slates as Arista and Katherine Peck as Alana.
Performances
coincide with Sidewalk Days in downtown Greencastle. Many people
enjoy the entertainment and a break in the shade of the playground
after shopping, according to Skyler Pittman, president of the
Greencastle Amateur Players.
Sayfol
Interntional School Brings ArtReach's Wizard of Oz to Life
Oz comes to
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Bringing
Oz to Life: Under the expert guidance of Ms. Michelle as
Advisor, Mr. Jasni (Director 1), and Mr. Matt (Director 2), our young
performers embraced this timeless story with enthusiasm and
creativity. Kathryn Schultz Miller's adaptation provided the perfect
canvas for students to explore their potential, focusing on teamwork,
imagination, and storytelling rather than elaborate sets or effects.
"The
perfect canvas for students to explore their potential."
ArtReach's Wizard
of Oz - Sayfol Interntional School, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Supporting
this remarkable production were Ms. Raihana as Producer, Mr. Ariff
as Line Coach, and Ms. Li Leng and Ms. Aminah leading the Props Team.
Each played a vital role in ensuring the seamless execution of the
performance. From inventing how the wind might look to experimenting
with the personalities of flying monkeys, the students brought their
own magic to every scene.
"The
students brought their own magic to every scene."
ArtReach's Wizard
of Oz - Sayfol Interntional School, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
The
production was accompanied by a specially curated soundtrack and
live percussion instruments, which, combined with the versatile
Chorus acting as narrators and musicians, created an engaging and
immersive experience.
A
Community Effort: Events like these remind us of the strength
and spirit of the Sayfol community. Heartfelt gratitude goes to our
students, whose talent and passion brought the story to life, and to
our dedicated teachers and staff, whose guidance and hard work behind
the scenes made the production possible.
"This
production inspires us all to believe in our own journeys."
ArtReach's Wizard
of Oz - Sayfol Interntional School, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
A
Celebration of Creativity: Productions like The Wizard of Oz
are more than just performances - they are opportunities for students
to build confidence, foster teamwork, and experience the joy of
creative expression. We are proud of what our Sayfolians
achieved and look forward to more milestones like this in the future.
As
Glinda says, "You've always had the power." Let this
production inspire us all to believe in our own journeys, just as
Dorothy did. Bravo, Sayfolians!
Heartwood
Regional Theatre Presents ArtReach's Musical 'Jack
and the Beanstalk'
The
Lincoln County News, ME
Heartwood's
annual winter middle school production will hit the stage Thursday,
Jan. 30 as an enthusiastic group of fourth through eighth grade
Midcoast youth present an adaptation of "Jack and the Beanstalk."
This
delightful piece features more than 20 students in a familiar
children's story set in Appalachia, with cast songs, lots of humor, a
fast-paced storytelling style, and giants.
"Lots
of humor, fast-paced storytelling and giants."
ArtReach's Jack
and the Beanstalk - Heartwood Regional
Theatre, ME
Students
auditioned for directors Griff Braley and Teralyn Reiter in
December. As school resumed in January, students dove into four weeks
of focused rehearsals, which will culminate in school-day and evening
public performances in Poe Theater at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle.
Four
school performances will be filled with elementary and middle school
students and teachers bused in from numerous Midcoast schools on
Thursday, Jan. 30 and Friday, Jan. 31. Each year, many students
arrive as first-time audience members, wide eyed and new to the
inside of a theater. Returning students enter with a knowing air of
expectation and excitement, recounting memories from previous
productions. Together, they share in the special thrill when the
lights go down and the magic of live theater begins.
"This
group has worked hard for the first two weeks."
ArtReach's Jack
and the Beanstalk - Heartwood Regional
Theatre, ME
Reiter,
while new to this program, is definitely not new to theater or
working with students. Assisting in casting and directing the show,
Reiter adds a strong resource for actors, bringing her strong passion
for theater into the process.
"Teralyn
is doing excellent work with warm ups, actor coaching, staging, and
adds an all-around positive outlook," Braley said.
Costuming,
including fun specialty pieces, is again in the excellent hands of
Heidi Kopishke. Technical elements and light design are under the
guidance of tech director Ryan Kohnert, with set and prop assistance
from Annalise Garnett and a number of Lincoln Academy students.
"This
really prepares them performances anywhere."
ArtReach's Jack
and the Beanstalk - Heartwood Regional
Theatre, ME
"They
arrived in January, memorized and ready to dig into a month of deep
learning and dedication to the material," Braley said. "This
group has worked hard for the first two weeks, laying the foundation
for a solid performance. As they learn to see beyond their own lines,
to be aware of others onstage, and to create true ensemble, they
experience the best aspects of live performance for an actor. This
really prepares them for next steps in summer camp, high school, or
performances anywhere."
Two
public performances are scheduled in Parker Poe Theater at Lincoln
Academy at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. 1. Tickets
are $5 for student and $10 adults. Reservations are available by
contacting Heartwood by email at [email protected] or calling 563-1373.
ArtReach's
"The Nutcracker Prince" Ushers in Holiday Season
McLean
High School, Falls Church VA
The
two work study theater classes joined forces to welcome the winter
holiday with a colorful production of ArtReach's “The
Nutcracker Prince” a play built around characters and
themes of the iconic “Nutcracker” ballet set to music by Tchaikovsky.
The
teenage Clara, her pesky brother, their mother and father and their
eccentric Uncle Drosselmayer all came to life one Christmas Eve not
so very long ago – a Christmas Eve that also featured a
life-and-death struggle for gingerbread between the Rat King with his
mousy minions and the soldiers of good led by the Nutcracker himself.
The play speaks to the heart of the magic that Christmas represents
to so many of us when we are children, but also to that special if
complex moment when the future as a grownup man or woman beckons.
"Welcome
the winter holiday with a colorful production."
ArtReach's
The Nutcracker Prince - McLean
High School, Falls Church VA
The
ballet was first performed in Russia in the late 19th century, its
loose-knit plot pieced together from a collection of fantasy stories
written in German by E.T.A. Hoffman. By all accounts, the author was
fascinated with what it means to be alive and what would possibly
bring inanimate objects, especially dolls, to life. From the ballet
forward this theme was always presented with a light touch, yet
it’s clear that the stories springing from Hoffman’s
bizarre imagination could (like most fairy tales originally) be quite frightening.
The
play was directed by McLean’s work study theater teachers,
Carolyn Sullivan and John DeMers, with a Christmas-festive set
assembled and painted by their colleague Dave Hoopingarner. Other
assists came to the production team from McLean’s own Phillip
Reid and Rob Langston.
"What
would possibly bring dolls to life."
ArtReach's
The Nutcracker Prince - McLean
High School, Falls Church VA
The
cast was led by Abby Criswell as Clara, Jack Dennis as her brother
Fritz, Trevor Sheehan as the Nutcracker, Daniel Goodwin as
Drosselmayer, Maia Stewart as the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Ben Shue in
an over-the-top turn as the snarling, gingerbread-crazed Rat King.
Also contributing to the magic were Kathryn Knight, Ben Baker, Lauren
Banks, Polina Leonova, Noor Haq, Alex Pisocky, Juan Ramirez, Adrian
Guevara and Minh Lam. Issac Orrel served as The Storyteller.
Many
parents contributed goods and services, especially Andrea Shank and
Mary Knight. The students and their teachers were grateful to Mark
Thompson and Dr. Ellen Reilly for their support.
ArtReach's
A Thousand Cranes
in Japan
Michiko
Tosaka Brings Play from US
On
March 22nd, the musical reading play "Sadako
and the Thousand Cranes" and one other work will be
performed at the Former Kosaka Family Residence (Seta 4, Setagaya
Ward) in Setagaya Ward's Seta 4-Chome Plaza.
The
square is managed by the Setagaya Trust Urban Planning Project.
Since January 2012, it has been run by the Setagaya 4-Chome Square
Utilization Study Workshop Office (within the Setagaya Waterfront
Design Network), which is made up of local residents, and has planned
and held a variety of events at the square.
