This
page (Page #7)
has stories and helpful info from behind the scenes of ArtReach
productions! Push back the curtain and check out all these
great ArtReach titles: Beauty
and the Beast, Robin Hood, Wizard
of Oz, Peter Pan, Aladdin, The
Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland, Winnie-the-Pooh,
Treasure Island, A Christmas Carol,
The Reluctant Dragon. Don’t
forget, a Teachers Guide will come with your School Play Package and
contain lots more background articles and info about your play!
ArtReach's
Beauty and the Beast
takes the stage in Baker City, OR
By
Lisa Britton Go! Magazine, La Grande, OR
BAKER
CITY - With a roar of rage, the curse takes hold of the handsome
prince and his only hope is love.
But
will anyone see past the gruff appearance to understand his heart?
"A
prince with a handsome face and a heart of stone."
ArtReach's
Beauty and the Beast
- Eastern Oregon Regional Theatre, Baker City OR
Eastern
Oregon Regional Theatre will present a youth production of
"Beauty and the Beast" Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17.
Shows
are at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday, at the
theater, 2101 Main St. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 EORT members and $5
students. Purchase tickets at easternoregonregionaltheatre.com, by
calling 541-523-9652, or at the door.
This
play is based on the original French story, rather than the Disney
version that presents the castle's servants as objects (a clock, a
candlestick, a teapot).
"All
of the characters are human," said director Jamie Adams.
"The
audience gets to use their imagination."
ArtReach's
Beauty and the Beast
- EORT, Baker City OR
In
this story, only the prince suffers from the curse, cast on him by a
beggar after he refused to offer help.
"In
this castle there lives a prince with a handsome face and a heart of
stone," the narrator begins the story.
After
casting the curse, the beggar leaves the beast with this:
"You wear the mask that is your heart. Only love can save you now."
The
set is simple, with the actors sitting in a semi-circle on the stage
as they tell this well-known story. "The concept is
getting the audience to use their imagination," Adams said.
"The actors do all the sound effects using instruments and their voices."
The
cast features Justin Wolfe, Candace Peterson, Jordan Wolfe, Marquesa
Peterson, Grace Radabah, Ainsley Schuette, Riley Schuette, Obsidian
Adams, Jace Carroll, Cody Carroll, Hazel Crowell, Avery Ellis, Finley
Ellis, Kate Loennig, Aislynn Cook, Zoey Arritola, Allana Haven, Casey
Walden, Amelia Walden, Dinah Walden, Regina Luna and Thonee Chandler.
Central
Missouri Repertory to Present Children's Touring Production 'Robin
Hood'
CENTRAL
MISSOURI REPERTORY | UCM THEATRE AND DANCE | UNIVERSITY NEWS
By
Jeff Murphy
WARRENSBURG,
MO - Entering its 39th season of bringing live children's theatre
productions to West Central Missouri, University of Central Missouri
(UCM) Repertory Theatre (CMR) will present "Robin
Hood" by Kathryn Schultz Miller (ArtReach
Children's Theatre Plays) at
numerous locations throughout this region in late May and early
June. This includes a free, public performance in Warrensburg at the
Highlander Theatre on the UCM campus at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 28, as
well as performances at venues in Clinton, Lee's Summit, Richmond,
Rocky Mount, and Sedalia as part of a touring schedule that begins
May 25 and ends June 8.
"This
play is so entertaining - it's really written well."
University
of Central Missouri (UCM) Repertory Theatre (CMR) - ArtReach's
Robin Hood
A
production for all ages and great family entertainment, "Robin
Hood" is directed by Dr. Aaron Scully, assistant professor
of theatre in the Division of Theatre and Dance at UCM. This play is
a rollicking, hilarious and fast-paced children's version of the
classic tale of "Robin Hood." Robin and his band of
merry men are stealing from the rich to give to the poor when Robin
finds out the Sheriff of Nottingham has locked his one true love,
Maid Marian, in the dreaded tower. Robin then sets out to save Maid
Marian, and along the way meets a slew of interesting characters,
including his best friend, the giant Little John. The audience will
follow Robin Hood's journey as he teams with good and battles evil on
his quest for love.
When
asked about the production, Scully stated, "This play is so
entertaining - it's really written well - it moves really fast, with
lots of good jokes, physical comedy and audience interaction. We are
having a great time in rehearsals. The characters are familiar but
each have specific personalities so the actors are having a blast
exploring (the characters). Kids and parents alike will really enjoy
this production - it'll be a great way to kick off the summer!"
"Rollicking,
hilarious and fast-paced." Perfect for Touring.
University
of Central Missouri (UCM) Repertory Theatre (CMR) - ArtReach's
Robin Hood
"Robin
Hood" will be on tour presenting public performances at several
sites within an easy drive from Warrensburg as follows: May 25, the
Farris Theatre in Richmond - free admission (performance at 10 a.m.);
May 26, the Thompson Theatre at Hayden Liberty Center in Sedalia - $5
admission (performance at 2 p.m.); May 28, Highlander Theatre on the
UCM campus in Warrensburg - free admission (performance at 2 p.m.);
May 31, Legacy Park Amphitheatre in Lee's Summit - free admission
(performances at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.); June 1, Camp Wonderland,
Rocky Mount - free admission (performance at 10:30 a.m.); June
2, Lexington Middle School - free admission (performance at 10:30
a.m.); and June 8, Henry Elementary School in Clinton - free
admission (performance at 1 p.m.). For more information about
specific performances, please contact Dr. Scully at [email protected].
The
show is family-friendly and for all ages.
University
of Central Missouri (UCM) Repertory Theatre (CMR) - ArtReach's
Robin Hood
The
company includes: Riley Given as Robin Hood/Beggar/Jester, Shanna
Sinow as Maid Marian/Friar Tuck and Jace Nielsen as Little
John/Prince/Monk/King Richard/Guard. Dr. Scully is the
Director/Production Manager/Producer/Marketing Director; Grace Clark
is Stage Manager; Dalima Kapten is the Scenic/Props
Designer/Technical Director, Hollie Neumann is the
Costume/Hair/Makeup Designer, and Jamie Gresens is the Sound Designer.
The
performance is made possible by a generous donation from the Wetzel
Family Foundation, a grant from the Missouri Arts Council, and UCM
Theatre and Dance. Special thanks to UCM Theatre and Dance Chair
Ashley Miller-Scully for her support.
The
show is family-friendly and for all ages. The production includes
some fight sequences. An optional opportunity for audience
interaction and/or participation is available. For more information,
please contact Dr. Aaron Scully at [email protected] or call the UCM
Theatre and Dance office at 660-543-4020.
Shell
Knob School Drama Club performs ArtReach's 'The
Wizard of Oz'
Barry
County Advertiser - Cassville, MO
Each
year, the Shell Knob School Drama Club chooses a play to perform for
the school and community. This year's play was "The
Wizard of Oz" by ArtReach
Children's Theatre Plays.
For over a hundred years, this story has delighted adults and
children alike. The play was a blend of the book by Frank L. Baum and
movie. Students that are involved in drama are fifth through eighth
grade students.
Students
spent many afternoons practicing their lines and learning stage
movements. They also spent their own time to memorize lines. Students
not only perform, they also work backstage and develop backgrounds
and props.
"Students
are fifth through eighth graders."
Shell
Knob School Drama Club performs
ArtReach's "The Wizard
of Oz".
Two
performances were held on Thursday, December 13. Students, staff,
teachers, parents, family members and relatives had the pleasure of
watching the students act out a humorous interpretation of the movie
and book. The cast included 20 hardworking middle school students.
Several students had more than one roll to perform.
The
cast and crew are as follows: Dorothy performed by Rileigh Rickard,
ToTo performed by Lorelei Cook, Uncle Henry performed by Madelyn
Holtmann, Aunt Em performed by Addison Sherfy, who also played the
Good Witch Glinda, Scarecrow performed by Carly Anderson, the Tin Man
performed by Mason Graham, the Lion performed by Raigan Crumb, the
Gatekeeper performed by Kylie Martin, the Wizard of Oz performed by
Aaliyah Franklin, The Wicked Witch of the West performed by Amber
Hayes, The Munchkins, Trees, and Flying Monkeys were performed by
Marissa Cates, Nicole McCallister, and Brooke Langley.
"Relatives
had the pleasure of watching the students act out."
Shell
Knob School Drama Club performs
ArtReach's "The Wizard
of Oz".
The
Rainbow Chorus who narrated the story were blue: Raegan Caddell,
green: Zaira Systo, orange: Emma Pryor, purple: Sydney Talsma, red:
Randa Johnson, and yellow: Lily Anderson.
Backstage,
makeup, lights, sound and curtains were: Merri Magula, Lisa Sherfy,
Phillip Mason, Madelyn Holtmann and Kellen Anderson. Many props and
background materials were produced by the middle school exploratory
stagecraft class. While pictures and video were taken by the middle
school journalism/photography class.
KGS
Production of Peter Pan Receives 15 NODA Nominations!
ArtReach's Peter
Pan Receives Recognition for Excellence
Kirkham
Grammar School (Lancashire, UK) is delighted to announce that we
have received 15 NODA nominations for our November production of
Peter Pan!
"This
is an excellent achievement!"
ArtReach's
Peter Pan - Kirkham Grammar
School (Lancashire, UK)
This
is an excellent achievement and is testament for all the hard work
which went into making this year's production such a phenomenal success.
The
nominations are as follows;
Best
Female Comedy Performance in a Youth Production: Tabitha Berry (Tinkerbell)
Best
Supporting Male in a Youth Production: Raphael Ikram (John), Manny
Elleray (Michael) and Isaac Chip (Tattoo Bill)
Best
Supporting Female in a Youth Production: Tabitha Berry (Tinkerbell),
Louisa Seacy (Tiger Lily) and Dotty Hackett (Mother)
Best
Staging of a Youth Production
Best
Leading Male in a Youth Production: Shahmeer Amir (Smee) and Tyler
Cowie (Captain Hook)
Best
Leading Female in a Youth Production: Olivia Coupe (Peter Pan) and
Brooke Medhurst (Wendy)
Best
Choreographer of a Youth Production: The Mermaids
Best
Director of a Youth Production: Miss Leeming
"Best
Youth Drama"
ArtReach's
Peter Pan - Kirkham Grammar
School (Lancashire, UK)
Congratulations
to you all and good luck at the awards evening which takes place on
Saturday 4 February 2023.
Circle
of Excellence is a recognition program established by the NODA
Excellence Fund in 2018. This program recognizes individuals who have
served as professionals, teachers, leaders, and scholars in the
fields of orientation, transition, and retention in higher education.
Notes:
The piece was directed by Miss Leeming and the students had their
input into the production themselves, most notably the dance chorus
who played the mermaids, more on this to follow. Miss Leeming did an
exceptional job at telling this narrative and combining different
theatre styles and techniques together to separate the fantasy versus
reality elements of the production, to bring the fairytale to life.
The set was epic and consistently detailed, using the full stage and
all the available apron space marked out on the gym floor. Staging
was used to its maximum potential, with a bedroom and full ship being
constructed on stage for the home scene and the pirates, a truck
mimicking rocks emerging from the sea for the mermaids and huts and
other areas of staging transporting the action to other locations to
facilitate the plot. Staging was also used creatively keeping
interesting uses of levels and shapes to keep the piece visually
stimulating for audiences of all ages. Costumes were fabulous and
depicting the classic characters well and adding great context to the
piece, also most performers had some form of make-up painted on to
add further detail to the design, such as dirt marks on the Lost
Boy's faces and green shimmer for the mermaids. I also need to call
out the 12-foot, three person operated crocodile, which swam
menacingly throughout the performance to add dread and fear to
Captain Hook!
"All
members of the cast did a wonderful job!"
ArtReach's
Peter Pan - Kirkham Grammar
School (Lancashire, UK)
The
cast included 83 pupils from all years of the School and Sixth Form,
so to call out everyone would be laborious so I am choosing to
summarise with all members of the cast did a wonderful job at
creating a wonderful evening of entertainment and should be
thoroughly proud of their work and performances, there was not a
moment that a player was onstage and out of character or unsure of
what they were doing. It is not easy to seamlessly jump between
theatre styles and integrate dance and music into a play version of a
production, you all did fantastically to achieve this and there was
great focus and attention throughout the performance and some lovely
characterisations brought about to the stage! Bravo!
The
Ancient
Story Aladdin As Told in
ArtReach's Playscript
Featuring
Special Production by: Let Your Light Shine Youth Theatre, Columbia MO
ArtReach’s
adaptation of Aladdin presents the classic story of one young
man’s quest to win the hand of his beautiful Princess. Through
his daring and clever deeds Aladdin defeats evil and brings goodness
and peace to his kingdom.
The
Storytellers begin their tale in the sizzling hot sands of the
desert. Just as the sun sets Omar the Magician and his assistant,
Geewiz, come riding over the dunes, searching for the lost Cave of
Wonders. The Storytellers create the Cave and tell Omar that there is
only one person who may enter it. That person is Aladdin. Omar sends
Geewiz to fetch the boy.
We
are transported to the street market where Princess Ginger examines
the silks, carpets and incense that are sold there. When she bites an
apple the fruit peddler demands cash. Ginger has no gold and just as
the merchants declare her a thief, Aladdin
and Persia his cat sweep in to help her. Geewiz spies the scene and
offers to pay for the fruit, but only if Aladdin will go with him to
the desert. Ginger begs Aladdin
not to go but Aladdin insists he must pay his debt.
"There
is only one person who may enter the cave."
Let Your Light Shine Youth
Theatre, Columbia MO - ArtReach's
Aladdin
In
the desert the Magician sends Aladdin into the cave to find a
special lamp and bring it back to him. Aladdin cries “Open
Sesame!” and the wondrous cave opens its doors. Inside Aladdin
and Persia find golden statues and diamonds and at last they find the
lamp. It looks so ordinary to Aladdin that he is afraid the magician will not
like it. When he polishes the lamp, suddenly a great Genie appears
before him!
The
Genie explains that Aladdin is now his master and he will grant him
three wishes. Aladdin is overjoyed and proclaims he has no wish but
to be wed to Ginger. The Genie conjures a magic carpet and whisks
Aladdin and Persia off to the Sultan’s palace. At the palace the
Sultan presents Ginger with several princes that she might choose for
marriage. One by one they come forward trying to impress her.
At
last Omar comes forward offering himself as a suitable husband. When
Ginger tells her father she will not marry any of them, the Sultan
leaves her locked up in her room until she changes her mind.
Aladdin, with his friends
Persia and Genie, appear before her. Aladdin declares his love to her
and offers to take her on a magic carpet ride. The Storytellers
create the carpet as Aladdin and Ginger fly and exclaim at the
wonders in the sky. When at last Ginger must return to the palace,
Aladdin decides to ask the Sultan for her hand in marriage. But
Aladdin’s words are overheard by Omar and Geewiz. Omar sends
Geewiz to capture Aladdin and throw him into the deep dark sea.
"The
Genie appears and saves Aladdin’s life."
Let Your Light Shine Youth
Theatre, Columbia MO - ArtReach's
Aladdin
In the ocean Aladdin is tied
up and covered in a large net, drowning, when a family of fish swims
by. They teach him how to breathe through his ears and help him
polish his lamp. Suddenly the Genie appears and saves Aladdin’s life.
Meanwhile Omar has cast a
spell over the Sultan causing the old man to force Ginger to accept
Omar as her husband. Suddenly Aladdin appears! He demands that Omar
turn over the magic staff that controls the spell on the Sultan. The
magician cleverly offers to exchange his staff for the lamp.
Believing that this will save Ginger, Aladdin gives up the lamp.
When Omar polishes the lamp,
the Genie appears as before. But sadly, Omar is now his master. On
orders from the magician, Genie takes Aladdin to be imprisoned in the
dungeon. Just when it seems all is lost, Geewiz betrays the Magician
and brings the magic lamp to Aladdin.
Back at the palace, Omar has
assembled all the peddlers from the market, planning his elaborate
wedding to Ginger. Believing Aladdin is drowned and the Genie in his
lamp, Omar is shocked when Aladdin, Persia and the Genie appear
before him. Persia sneaks up and steals the magician’s staff and
begins a great game of keepaway with the staff, getting everyone
(even the audience!) in on the action. When the Sultan catches the
staff, he decides to throw it to Aladdin.
"Everyone
in the kingdom rejoices."
Let Your Light Shine Youth
Theatre, Columbia MO - ArtReach's
Aladdin
Aladdin and Genie convince
Omar that he will have all the power he wants if he becomes a Genie.
The Magician is delirious with the prospect of such power and agrees
to go into Genie’s lamp. Aladdin instructs Geewiz to throw the
lamp in the ocean.
Aladdin releases the Genie
granting him his freedom and everyone waves goodbye as the Genie
flies away on his magic carpet. The Sultan is fully recovered from
his spell and proclaims that the laws be changed so that everyone can
marry the ones they love. Aladdin and Ginger are wed and everyone in
the kingdom rejoices.
Aquatic
Art makes a splash at Summer Arts
Camp - West
Union Elementary
ArtReach's The
Little Mermaid Featured
By Austin Rust
- Champion Media - West Union Ohio
The
Adams County Arts Council hosted its seventh annual J.R. Bradley
Summer Arts Camp this year at the West Union Elementary School from
July 15 -19. Forty one young artists participated in the Arts Camp
program this year, which offered classes in silk-screening, music and
drama, sculpture, drawing, and painting. The theme selected for 2019
was "Aquatic Art".
According
to the current president of the Adams County Arts Council, Betsy
Miskell, the first Summer Arts Camp was held in 2013 under the
direction of J.R. Bradley. The classes offered were woodworking,
acting, and painting, and there were 18 participants.
Arts
Camp features Musical Drama
The Little Mermaid
Shooting Starz Productions,
Big Lake MN
- ArtReach's The Little
Mermaid
"We've
just been thrilled with how it's grown through the years, and
hopefully it will continue to grow, so that we can offer more media
areas," said Elaine Lafferty, who has served as the Camp
Director and Art Appreciation Instructor for the past six years.
Classes
were held from 9 a.m.- noon each morning at no charge to the
students. Each day of the camp ended with a presentation focusing on
one of the five subjects taught this year. Students in music and
drama stayed into the afternoon to rehearse for their play, which was
an adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale "The
Little Mermaid" by Kathryn Shultz Miller.
Lee
Wilson was their instructor, and the director of music and drama.
"The
primary goal of the camp is to promote the arts."
Shooting Starz Productions,
Big Lake MN
- ArtReach's The Little
Mermaid
Students
in painting this year were Ryleigh Allen, Bella Basford, Emily
Caudill, Lily Howard, Eli King, Matthew King, and Kensely Matthias.
Darcy Smith was their instructor.
Students
in drawing were Anna Armstrong, Colton Arnett, Jaden Ray Caudill,
Lucy Gabbert, Jayden Grant, Kendall Hitchcock, Jackie Myers, Erin
Stansberry, and Maya Warren. Patricia Thompson was their instructor.
Students
in sculpture were Addison Ayres, Leah Caldwell, Trinity
Covert-Rhoten, Ryker Fain, Ava Kingsley, Mia Kingsley, Elijah Moles,
Rodney Moles, and Megan Reid. Jessica Huxmann was their
instructor. In silk-screening, there was one student: Chesnee
Ayres. Sue Rose was her instructor. Arts camp assistants this
year were Cassandra King, Miranda Moles, and Julie Warren.
According
to Ken Armstrong, a member of the Adams County Arts Council, the
primary goal of the Summer Arts Camp is to promote the arts. He also
hopes that the students who choose to participate in the music and
drama class theater productions will go on to perform in Adams County
Arts Council productions as they grow older, or participate in
Children's Theater.
"They
were very busy this year," Armstrong concluded. "My niece
was teaching the painting, and she would come home every evening and
say, 'We've got to think of more things to keep them busy!' They
would rip right through what she planned for the next day, even."
"Enthusiasm
for the arts remains strong and continues to grow."
Shooting Starz Productions,
Big Lake MN
- ArtReach's The Little
Mermaid
On
Friday, the final day of the camp, all of the students' work was put
on display in the various stations around the room. Drawings of
tropical fish and other characters hung from the walls in the drawing
section, and in sculpture, the students chose to make a diorama of
aquatic life. Colorful designs for t-shirts and tote bags decorated
the silk-screening section, while deep blues and greens lined the
walls of the painting station, accented by rainbow-colored seashells.
After
a brief introduction, the music and drama class took the stage with
their performance of "The
Little Mermaid", retelling the tale of a mermaid in love
with a human prince.
Enthusiasm
for the Summer Arts Camp remains strong in Adams County, and
continues to grow. The camp is set to return next year with a new
theme, and hopes to offer classes in new media.
Final
Bow, A Great Teacher
and and Director Retires
Thomas Beck has
produced many ArtReach plays over the years
by
Ann Marie Scheidler, Forest Bluff Magazine IL
Susie
and Tom Beck, Founders of PASTA summer camp
IF
YOU'RE A LOCAL who has had a child in the last 20 years, you've
likely been lucky enough to cross paths with Tom and Susie Beck, the
duo behind a childhood favorite-PASTA- the Performing Arts Summer
Theatre Academy at Gorton Community Center. PASTA has evolved over
time to offer programming year-round and has become a favorite among
the t'ween and teen set who've dreamed about being on stage. This
summer, at the close of PASTA's final performance of Alice
in Wonderland on Sunday, July 10, the Becks will officially retire.
"PASTA
has has become a favorite among t'weens and teens."
PASTA kids rehearsing
ArtReach's Alice in Wonderland
"It's
time," says Tom in his quiet way, a tone that has been
undoubtedly shaped by his decades of working with children, having
gotten his start at Lake Bluff Elementary School. "We love this
program and working with the kids, but it's time for a new adventure."
The
Becks established themselves as an extracurricular juggernaut for
parents. Typically, after a child had a taste of being in a Beck
production, they returned season after season for a chance to
perform. The Becks made Jungle Book, Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dream Coat, Wizard of Oz, Lion King, Seussical, and many,
many other shows classics among the young theater set.
"We
often remember the kids by the characters they played," Tom
says. "Auditioning is so personal and I admire the kids who try
out for specific roles. You don't audition without hopes of getting
something you want."
"We
love this program and working with the kids."
PASTA kids performing
ArtReach's Alice in Wonderland
Such
care goes into each performance, from casting, to set creation, to
costuming, to choreography, and to overseeing the interns who are
always graduates of the PASTA program. All of this was done by the Becks.
"Tom
and I talk a lot, a lot about each show," Susie says.
"There's very little stress unless I tell him how to build a set
or he tells me how to make a costume. I have this ability to see an
entire show in a line, where Tom sees it in little pieces. We really
work very well together."
Tom
adds that the two of them are best at casting the show. "We
absolutely do this together," he says. "We each make a list
of who we should think should have each part, we compare notes, and
then we sleep on it. Sometimes, Susie will get up in the middle of
the night to make some changes, but we always agree on who is doing
what before we tell the kids. It just works."
Over
the years, PASTA has taught many life lessons in addition to theater
skills. One summer, there was a computer glitch and when PASTA
reached its maximum number of students, it failed to shut off.
"We
absolutely do this together
- it just works."
PASTA kids performing
ArtReach's Alice in Wonderland
"We
ended up with 62 kids that summer for the Wizard of Oz," Tom
says, explaining 40 students is usually the sweet spot for the number
of campers. "On the first day of camp, I asked for a show of
hands how many kids wanted to be Dorothy. Every girl and a handful of
smart-aleck boys-who I got along with very well by the way-raised
their hands. That's when we had to have the talk that not everyone
can be Dorothy and there's a lot that goes into choosing the right
person for the right show. We always want the kids to understand what
goes into making that decision."
The
Becks begin planning for their programs a year in advance. And last
year, after navigating PASTA through Covid protocols, they knew that
this year would be their last.
"I
started going through our storage locker last summer knowing that we
would never be doing certain shows again," says Susie. Susie, a
retired art teacher from the Glenbrook School system, is looking
forward to getting back in the classroom as a student.
As
for Tom, he is hoping to find himself doing more theater himself, as
well as coaching future thespians. And both are looking forward to
pursuing some of these dreams from a new home they purchased in Arizona.
"But
we know this program will be back in some form, some day."
PASTA kids - ArtReach's Alice
in Wonderland
The
Becks will close out their time at Gorton in the same way it
began-with the musical production of Alice in Wonderland. They hope
many of their alums will pack the house.
"This
is an exciting time as PASTA retires with us," Tom says.
"But we know this program will be back in some form, some day.
Susie and I look forward to being in the audience."
The
Gorton Drama Studio is currently offering camps and classes in
acting at Gorton. To learn more, sign up for remaining spots in
PASTA, or purchase tickets to PASTA's final shows, visit gortoncenter.org.
GCA’s
Playmakers is Back with ArtReach's Winnie-The-Pooh
this Weekend
Features
ArtReach's Newest Large
Cast Play
The
Garfield Center for the Arts’ Playmakers has returned! The
GCA’s annual summer youth education camp for children ages 8-15
has a long and successful history of teaching skills in theatre craft
and performance. The camp had been suspended in 2020 due to the
pandemic but has finally returned after its hiatus. This summer’s
Playmakers will present “The Adventures of Winnie-The-Pooh”
this weekend, starting at 7 PM on Friday and Saturday.
"Camp
has long & successful history of teaching skills."
Garfield
Center for the Arts’ Playmakers prepare for ArtReach's Winnie-the-Pooh
The
camp divided participants into two age groups, ages 8 to 11 and ages
12 to 15, for age-specific activities. The remaining camp time was
spent with all participants working together to produce and perform
their “Winnie-the-Pooh”
production. Campers have also enjoyed the performances of
professional cultural artists, presented by The Hedgelawn Foundation,
on select camp days, including historical instrumentalist Stephen
Christoff, storyteller Debra Mims, and dancer, drummer, singer and
storyteller Ssuun.
Leading
Playmakers has been its Director Amanda Mickle and Assistant
Director Patrick Pearce. Originally from Smyrna Delaware, Amanda
spent 13 years with The School of Delaware Ballet and Delaware Ballet
where she danced in various supporting and lead roles in multiple
productions, including “The Nutcracker” for seven years.
Amanda attended Washington College, where she studied English and
Education. Currently, she is the 7th and 8th grade Language Arts
teacher at Kent School where she has directed and choreographed the
8th Grade Musical for two years with last year’s “Frozen
Jr.” and this year’s “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.”
Patrick recently appeared in the Garfield Center’s hit
production of “The Play That Goes Wrong.” Last year, he
appeared in “Clue” and Short Attention Span Theatre.
Patrick received his BA in Drama from Washington College in 2000 and
now teaches US History at the Kent School in Chestertown.
This
year’s Playmakers campers are Lizzy Assante, Lillian Babylon,
Bailey Bortz, Sydney Bortz, Olivia Coppage, Ben Gilbert, Giosue
Greenwell, Sam Holdgreve, Madelyn Hopwood, Emy Karlik, Clover King,
Maggie Lindsay, Ava Potter, Mallory Reed, Natalie Ritchie, Will
Ritchie, Amelia Ritchie, Lia Schut, Masun Sullivan, Stella Sullivan,
Alex Wilson, and Vivian Young. Playmakers has had a terrific staff of
counselors and interns this summer, including Allison Holdgreve,
Devin Merton, Josie Merton, Clare Padula, Eva Veciana and Kendall Willis.
The
performances are free to the public, but donations made at the
performances toward production costs and next year’s Playmakers
camp is encouraged and appreciated. Lobby doors open one hour prior
to show time and the House doors open for general seating starting
one half hour prior to show time. No advance reserved seating is allowed.
Musical
production ArtReach's 'Treasure
Island' to be presented from April 25-27
Borneo
Post Online
KUCHING,
Malaysia: Lodge Group of Schools will be presenting the 2014 Lodge
School musical production, 'Treasure
Island', at Batu Lintang Teachers Training Institute's Tun Ahmad
Zaidi Adruce Auditorium from April 25 to 27.
Following
the success of the school's last musical production, 'Oliver!', in
2012, this year's production will see students and teachers from
Lodge National School and Lodge International School involved in the
re-enactment of the classical tale originally written by Robert Louis
Stevenson for young people who dreamed of adventure on the high seas.
"For
the school's production, we have chosen Kathryn Schultz Miller's
theatrical adaptation of this well-loved story, which follows the
fantastical pirate adventure of an ordinary contemporary boy, Jim
Hawkins," Lodge International School teacher Poh Sze-Lyn told
reporters after paying a courtesy call on Minister of Welfare, Women
and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah at her office here yesterday.
"Students
revel in these occasions to truly appreciate the arts."
Picture:
Poh giving a short presentation on Lodge School's upcoming
production of ArtReach's 'Treasure Island'.
Joining
her was Lodge Group of Schools director Rijeng Jahet.
"This
year, we are proud to have on board experienced theatre practitioner
Zakaria Abdul Manan as the director for 'Treasure
Island'," Poh revealed, adding that Zakaria has experience
as a stage crew, actor and director in more than 30 different
theatrical productions in Malaysia and Indonesia.
"We
are also pleased to introduce our young talents Darence Ki who will
be playing the titular role of Jim Hawkins, Torrance Chen as Long
John Silver, Sheena Lee as Captain Smolett, Rosalynn Mutheardy as
Squire Trelawny, Emily Gumal as Dr Livesy and Emma Masing as Billy Bones."
Poh
pointed out that Lodge School has a legacy of being a hub for
budding performing arts talents.
"From
our earlier musical productions of 'Joseph and the Technicolour
Dreamcoat', 'Wizard of Oz' and Oliver! to the biannual 'An
Evening with the Stars', Lodge students have always enjoyed the
opportunity to showcase their otherwise untapped potential in
performing arts.
"In
Kuching where theatrical performances rarely take place, students
and their annual audiences revel in these occasions to sit back and
truly appreciate the arts," she remarked.
She
also noted that this has also led to Lodge alumni to embark upon
performing arts careers in London, New York and Singapore respectively.
Tickets
priced at RM50, RM75 and RM100 for 'Treasure
Island' are now on sale with part of the proceeds going to local
welfare organisation Hope Place.
For
tickets or further enquiries, the public are advised to call Lodge
National School at 082-363554 or Lodge International School at 082-362185.
PERSATUAN
SEKOLAH LODGE (Lodge School Association), Kuching, Malaysia.
Students
gear up for holiday classic, ArtReach's A
Christmas
Carol
Okotoks
Western Wheel Staff
Longview
School students are getting into the holiday spirit with their
upcoming production of a Christmas classic.
The
school is gearing up to perform an adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A
Christmas Carol" Thursday evening (Dec. 22). This version
by Kathryn Schultz Miller follows the traditional story, but features
storytellers, narrators and carols throughout. Longview principal
Caroline Roberts said this adaptation is easier for children to perform.
All
74 students will perform in the play and each student in Grades 1 to
6 will have a speaking part. As with all the school's productions,
students also share roles.
"Everyone
has an opportunity to have a speaking part."
Wakefield Country Day, Flint
Hill VA - ArtReach's A
Christmas Carol
"What's
really important to us is that everyone has an opportunity to have a
speaking part and to be involved and engaged in that activity,"
explained Roberts. Students perform musical numbers and create
the sets, she said. "We have a really strong fine arts
program here at Longview and the kids very much enjoy it and so does
our community."
Students
were able to pick their roles in the play and Roberts said
surprisingly it worked out well. Grade 6 student Ashley Nelson
decided to play Scrooge because she liked the character and said it
is fun to play a villain. "It's kind of hard because it's
a different personality," she said, but added it gives her the
chance to work on her acting skills.
The
most fun part of the play for Ashley is when she is frightened and
woken up in the middle of the night. "I go to sleep and
then I hear these sounds of bells and then it turns to chains
rattling so then I wake up and (someone) comes out of the picture
frame," she explained.
Jacob
Marley, played by Hope Roberts, is the one who frightens Scrooge.
The Grade 6 student said this is her favourite scene as well and she
wanted to play this character because she wanted to act like a
ghost. "It's fun because I get to rattle the chains,"
she explained.
"It's
fun just to pretend to be someone else"
Wakefield Country Day, Flint
Hill VA - ArtReach's A
Christmas Carol
Hope,
who said she enjoys performing, had many lines to learn, which she
said was difficult at first, but easy once she memorized them.
"When you're in front of a lot of people it's a little bit
nerve-wracking, but then you've got to pretend they're not there."
Jace
Bews admitted she is a little nervous, but excited to perform for an
audience. The Grade 5 student plays Charles Dickens and said she
enjoys taking on larger roles and it was not too difficult to play a
male character. "It's fun just to pretend to be someone
else other than you and try someone else's personality," she said.
As
part of her costume, Jace wears a beard, cape, hat and a painted-on
moustache. Her favourite part of the play is when she fights with the
storytellers, insisting it is her show. Roberts said a lot of
work has gone into rehearsals and students are looking forward to
performing. She said the project helps to bring the student body
together and encourages school pride and team building.
"The
overall goal of drama presentation is to foster a positive
self-concept and explore theatric roles and just acquire those
dramatic and presentation skills. So we really encourage that."
Orr's
Rising Stars bring ArtReach's 'The
Reluctant Dragon' to life
TAMI
MOSSER Staff Writer, The Daily Record
ORRVILLE
-- They're called the Rising Stars, and this time, they're going to
tell a tale about a dragon.
The
youth theater division of the Orrville Community Theater will
present "The Reluctant Dragon" on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 7
p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2:30 p.m. at the theater in the
Save-A-Lot Plaza on Hostetler Road in Orrville.
A
minimum $5 donation per person is asked for tickets, which are
available at the door or by calling 330-439-2051.
According
to director Staci Hochstrasser, "The Reluctant Dragon" is
"the story of a king who hears there's a dragon and wants him
killed, but then realizes he is a nice dragon and wants to save him."
"12-member
cast has kids ranging in age from 7-12."
A Children's Theatre, Mesilla,
Las Cruces NM - ArtReach's The
Reluctant Dragon
The
play is based on an 1898 children's story by Kenneth Grahame and
formed the outline of a 1941 Disney film. The script being used by
the Rising Stars cast has been adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller and
is offered through ArtReach Children's Theater Plays.
The
12-member cast includes children ranging in age from 7-12,
Hochstrasser said. "We have kids from Wooster, Orrville and
Norton, Wadsworth," she said, "so we have them from a lot
of surrounding areas."
"It
helps get them out of their shyness."
A Children's Theatre, Mesilla,
Las Cruces NM - ArtReach's The
Reluctant Dragon
The
idea, the director said, is not just to learn lines, go on stage and
say them. The Rising Stars program is, rather, a workshop-type
experience in which young actors can learn their craft and it is
hoped they have fun, too. "It helps get them out of their
shyness and their shells," Hochstrasser said.
Following
"The Reluctant Dragon," will be the organization's annual
Christmas musical, "Christmas Double Play," which will be
performed Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 4 and 11 at 2:30
p.m. For more information, contact the theater at 330-439-2051.
