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This
page (Page #4) has great articles from newspapers and school
newsletters. Check out all these great comments about ArtReach
popular titles: Winnie-the-Pooh,
Christmas Wizard of Oz, Amelia Earhart,
A Thousand Cranes, The Jungle Book,
Robin Hood, Mulan, Kid Frankenstein,
Blue Horses, Sleepy
Hollow, Christmas Peter Pan, Reluctant
Dragon, Peter Pan.
OST
production presents the best of Winnie-the-Pooh
Ottawa
School of Theatre presents ArtReach's
New Script Based on A. A. Milne's Classic
Orleans
Star: Orleans Ontario: Fred Sherwin
I
have to admit that growing up in the 1970s, I was a huge fan of
Winnie-the-Pooh. Which is why it warmed my heart when I heard that
Ottawa School of Theatre's all ages class would be presenting a
series of Winnie-the-Pooh stories at the Shenkman Arts Centre on
April 14, 15 and 16.
"Winnie-the-Pooh
still stands the test of time."
  
Winnie-the-Pooh
- Stage One, Richmond Civic Theatre (IN)
When
it comes to children's classics from the 1960s and 1970s - I'm
talking about the animated versions - Winnie-the-Pooh stands right up
there with the Charlie Brown and the Peanuts. And like the Peanuts,
Winnie-the-Pooh still stands the test of time.
The
OST production, written by Kathryn Schultz Miller (ArtReach Children's
Theatre Plays)
included six of the most well-known and much-loved stories about Pooh
and his friends Rabbit, Eeyore, Owl, Kanga, Roo and Piglet. (For some
strange reason, Tigger was not included.)
In
the opening story, a hungry Winnie-the-Pooh decides to try and climb
a tree to get some honey. When that doesn't work, he comes up with an
idea to attach himself to a helium balloon and float up to the honey.
When that doesn't work, Christopher Robin has to use a slingshot to
burst the balloon so that Pooh can get back to earth.
"Audience
all pulled together to free Pooh from the door."
Storytellers are Rabbit's
Friends and Relations -
Rebels Bluff Youth Theatre, Mt. Vernon MO
The
second story was about the time when Winnie-the-Pooh got stuck in
the door leaving Rabbit's house after he ate all of Rabbit's honey
and had to be extricated by Christopher Robin. In the OST production,
the cast elicited the help of the younger members of the audience who
all pulled together to free Pooh from the door.
The
third story was about when Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet came up with a
plan to catch a Heffalump only to have Pooh get his head stuck in a
honey pot which Piglet mistakes as one of the mysterious
elephant-like creatures and runs away frightened.
"Christopher
Robin throws a birthday party for Eeyore."
 
The
all ages class at the Ottawa School of Theatre perform ArtReach's Winnie
the Pooh.
The
fourth story is about the time when Eeyore's misplaced tail ends up
being used as a bell ringer at Owl's house.
The
fifth story, which was entitled "A Very Strange Creature",
was about when Winnie-the-Pooh and the gang first meet Kanga and Roo
in the Hundred Acre Wood.
The
sixth and final story is about when Christopher Robin and
Winnie-the-Pooh throw a birthday party for Eeyore to try and cheer
him up.
"Large
cast enables different cast members to play Winnie-the-Pooh."
  
The
all ages class at the Ottawa School of Theatre perform ArtReach's Winnie
the Pooh.
As
all ages productions go, you can't go wrong with Winnie-the-Pooh.
The A.A. Milne children's classic was first published in 1926, but
the stories and the main character didn't become broadly popular
until Walt Disney turned them into an animated series in 1961. All of
which to say, it has been enjoyed by several generations over the
years, which is why it is such an all ages classic.
One
of the things I liked most about the OST production was the use of
the large cast to enable a different cast member to play both
Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin in each scene or story.
To
learn more about the Ottawa School of Theatre and the various
classes they provide for aspiring actors of all ages visit ost-eto.ca.
The
magic of Christmas merges with a beloved children's story as the
Shawnee Playhouse presents Kathryn Schultz Miller's "A
Christmas Wizard of Oz,"
Opened
Nov. 16 and is presented at 10 a.m. Friday & Saturday mornings
up to Christmas.
Times
Herald Record, Middleton, NY
The
magic of Christmas merges with a beloved children's story as the
Shawnee Playhouse presents Kathryn Schultz Miller's "A
Christmas Wizard of Oz," which opened Nov. 16 and is
presented at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday mornings up to Christmas.
Shawnee
Playhouse Executive Director Midge McClosky is directing the show
and said it is a unique holiday treat. "It takes a classic story
- one we all know and love - and turns it into a fresh, fun and funny
fantasy," McClosky said. "It is a feel-good show, filled
with well-known Christmas carols and bright, colorful costumes."
"A
fresh, fun and funny fantasy,"
  
Shawnee Playhouse - Yerlington
Intermediate School, NV - Althea Scatliffe Primary, BVI
The
production has Dorothy and Toto carried off by a blizzard to the
Magical Elfinsland, where Glinda is the Good Witch of the North Pole.
Dorothy has to get home by the morning in order to open her presents,
so she travels to see the Wizard, who lives in the Great Palace of Toys.
In
the show, the Scarecrow is now a snowman; the Tin Man is a tin
soldier; the Cowardly Lion is a sad overpriced stuffed animal; the
Flying Monkeys are flying reindeer; and the Wizard of Oz is ...
you'll have to go see it to find that out.
Local
favorite funny man Marty Courtney of East Stroudsburg, Pa., plays
Santa Claus and a few other roles in the show. "The kids love
it. All kids love 'The Wizard of Oz,' and what kid doesn't love
Christmas? At the end of the show, I come down off the stage and talk
to all the kids - the eyes of the little ones couldn't possibly get
any bigger," he said.
Courtney
added that he takes special pride in playing Santa and in making
sure the theatrical experience is meaningful for every child. "I
absolutely love it. I take a nice slow walk down the aisle and look
up and down every row, and I make sure that I make eye contact with -
or make some kind of a gesture to - every kid in the audience. I
don't want to leave any kid out. They all deserve to have Santa smile
at them," he said.
Janice
Negvesky, a home-schooled seventh-grader who lives in Pocono Manor,
Pa., plays Elvin Curly and Rosy Reindeer. Negvesky is in the show for
a second straight year and apparently loves it.
"The
script takes the best things from both ideas and creates a new and
exciting twist, which is really something fun to watch."
"Enriches
the creativity, the memory and the magic of Christmas."
  
A Christmas Wizard of Oz - A
holiday tradition at Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Hudson PA
"Christmas
is once a year and this play captures the fun moments of the
holidays that are so memorable and that the whole family can enjoy.
It enriches the creativity, the memory and the magic of
Christmas," she said.
McClosky
said this holiday show is ideal for the entire family and a great
way to introduce children to theater.
"What
I love most about this show is that it is one that parents, children
and grandparents can enjoy together. If you bring someone to the
theater as a child, you are not only giving them the gift of
entertainment for that moment, but also the love of theater for a lifetime.
"Involving
children in the theater (as many as we can, as often as we can) is
indeed one of our principal missions at Shawnee," she said.
McClosky
said the show, which runs only at 10 a.m., has nearly sold out its
weekday performances and the best seats left are for the Saturday
morning shows.
McClosky
added that the message of "A
Christmas Wizard of Oz" was a simple one: "There's no
place like home ... especially at Christmastime."
Broadway
World Review: Imaginary Theatre Company Present Intriguing and Entertaining
Production
of ArtReach's AMELIA EARHART
at the MO History Museum
By: Chris Gibson
History books, at least when I
was growing up, devoted only a sidebar to pioneering aviatrix Amelia
Earhart, although today her life has become the subject of many
books, movies and television specials that seek to shed light on her
mysterious disappearance in 1937 during an attempt to fly around the
globe. The Imaginary Theatre Company is presenting Kathryn Schultz
Miller's play Amelia Earhart
about this adventurous pilot at the Missouri History Museum (through
March 28, 2010), and it's an intriguing show that will gives
audiences young and old something to think about.
"An
intriguing show for
audiences young and old."
 
ArtReach's Amelia
Earhart - The Rev Theatre Company NY
Miller's script follows
Earhart from her early attempts to make history through to her tragic
final flight, and it's an entertaining and surprisingly balanced look
back on a period in history where our country seemed obsessed with
proving themselves as Americans, while remaining staunch
isolationists in regards to the impending war that was brewing
overseas. Along the way we meet her benefactor and future husband,
George Putnam, as well as various characters that aided in, or
reported on the events that transpired. It's a compelling story, and
the outcome makes for interesting discussion material, since we still
don't know what became of Earhart and her plane (as well as her navigator).
Amanda Williford does strong
work as Amelia, imbuing the cocky aviator with a winning charm that
glosses over any of her shortcomings. Chauncy Thomas is also good as
George Putnam, projecting a carefree and confident attitude that
masks his concern over his wife's daredevil mentality. Lakeetha
Blakeney is solid as a reporter looking into the story as well as
Paul Mantz, the pilot who tried to properly train the impetuous and
stubborn Earhart as she prepared for her trip around the world in a
plane she'd never flown before. Ann Ashby delights as a reporter, and
as the radio operator who intercepts Earhart's final transmissions.
"Informative,
educational piece that entertains and engages."
  
ArtReach's Amelia
Earhart - The Rev Theatre Company NY
Director Jeffrey Matthews
keeps this serious minded piece moving along briskly, and though it's
heavy in theme, the tone is kept light. Betsy Krausnick contributes
the exceptional period costumes that really evoke the era nicely.
Scott Loebl's scenic design is simple, but effective, using a curved
backdrop of sky and clouds to suggest Earhart's flights. Stage
manager Danny Maly does his usual fine work coordinating the
backstage efforts and making sure the sound cues come in correctly.
St. Louis Rep's The Imaginary
Theatre Company's presentation of Amelia
Earhart is an informative, educational piece that manages to
entertain and engage. Discussion groups have been particularly
spirited given the mysterious nature of Earhart's disappearance, so
watch this 45 minute production, and if you're interested, stay and
participate in a question and answer session with the cast.
A
Thousand
Cranes Review, Festival Performance: "Highly, highly recommended."
Book
By Kathryn Schultz Miller. Adelaide Fringe Festival 2019, Australia.
The
Gemini Collective. Theatre One @ The Parks Theatres. 5-11 March, 2019
Kathryn
Schultz Miller's A
Thousand Cranes by Adelaide's 'cross-art form' company The Gemini
Collective is based on the internationally acclaimed children's novel
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Canadian-American author
Eleanor Coerr.
Set
in post-WW2 Japan it is loosely based on the true story of Sadako
Sasaki, whose statue holding a golden crane stands in the Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Park in modern-day Japan.
Why
one thousand cranes? Because if you make that many paper cranes the
ancestors, and/or Gods, will grant you a wish. For 12-years-old
Sadako, survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bomb 6 August 1945 when she
was 2 years old, this wish is for a cure for the terminal leukemia
that is slowly killing her due to the radiation from the atomic bomb.
"Sadako
Sasaki's story is truly marvelous."
 
Adelaide
Fringe Festival 2019. The Gemini Collective.
Sadako
Sasaki may represent innocent victims of nuclear warfare, but she
has also come to represent the hopes and dreams of millions of
children throughout the modern world. Every day thousands of paper
crane arrive to be placed on her statue from children around the
world. Sadako Sasaki's 'Thousand Cranes' stands as a symbol, a vital
symbol of Hope.
The
new musical version of Sadako Sasaki's story is a truly marvelous.
This is mainly due to its poignancy, as well as its elegant,
sophisticated and imaginative realization in this production, as
envisaged by Sarah Williams (Director/Choreographer), Anthony Butler
(co-Director/Designer) and Jennifer Trijo (Musical
Director/Composer). Plus, there is a truly exceptional Adelaide cast
lead by child actors Maddy Flapper (Sadako), Calin Diamond (Kenji),
with Iman Saleh (Father), Jess Goc-Ong (Mother/Obachan), as well as
'on-stage swing' Arwen Diamond.
Without
exception they all give terrific performances, bringing to life this
deeply moving tale about death and hope. It is without doubt, for me,
the strongest and most consistent and uniformly most powerful
ensemble of community actors that I have recently seen in Adelaide.
"Elegant,
sophisticated and imaginative."
 
Adelaide
Fringe Festival 2019. The Gemini Collective.
High
praise indeed, but completely deserved. This is primarily due the
various creative and expressive dynamics employed in telling this
tale. This includes acting, singing, dancing, playing instruments,
working as stage-crew, as well as heart-stopping aerial gymnastics by
Maddy Flapper.
Highly,
highly recommended.
Tony
Knight, Stage Whispers
UCHS
Drama Department presents ArtReach's "The
Jungle Book"
The Erwin
Record, Erwin TN
The UCHS Drama
Department will present "The Jungle Book," based on the
story by Rudyard Kipling and adapted by Katherine Schulz Miller, on
Monday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. in the UCHS Auditorium.
"The
audience will meet familiar characters such as Mowgli."
  
ArtReach's The
Jungle Book - German School Shanghai, China
This semester's
beginning Theater Arts students are the cast and crew for this
production and will present this show as their culminating class
performance. The non-musical production tells the story of Mowgli,
the boy who was raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, and his animal
friends. The audience will meet familiar characters such as Mowgli's
wolf family, Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, Shere Khan the
tiger and many other jungle creatures. The story focuses on the
themes of overcoming adversity and working together as a community.
The performance
lasts about 60 minutes and is appropriate for all ages. Cost for the
show is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Doors open and tickets go
on sale 15 minutes before the performance. Please plan to pay with
cash or check.
"Focuses
on overcoming adversity and working together."
 
ArtReach's The
Jungle Book - German School Shanghai, China
This production
is produced by special arrangement with ArtReach Children's Theatre Plays.
ROBIN
HOOD Hits The Bullseye
BWW Reviews by
Teresa Rodrick, Jun. 9, 2014
If you have
children and you live in the Treasure Valley, you need to know about
Treasure Valley Children's Theater (TVCT) and Treasure Valley Youth
Theater (TVYT). These two programs were started by Autumn
Kersey and they will keep the children in the valley entertained and entertaining.
"They
keep the children in the valley entertained and entertaining."
 
ArtReach's Robin
Hood - Treasure Valley Children's Theatre, Meridian UT
This production
was ROBIN HOOD (an interactive
play for young audiences by ArtReach's Kathryn Schultz Miller).
Many of the children polled in the audience had not seen or heard
ROBIN HOOD, however, they all enjoyed the performance. The actors are
professional how they present the children's play and a few of them
are professional comedians in Poise (improve helps when you work with
children). This story of ROBIN HOOD is told to us by three
actors: Jordan Peterson, Jared Stull, and Nicole Stull (the Stulls
are players with ComedySportz improve group, as well). We are told of
how King Richard has gone off to war and left Prince John to run the
kingdom. Prince John is the kind of character toward who the
audience "Boos". The prince wants to marry Mad Marian
but she is in love with Robin Hood. The audience is told
exciting tales of how Maid Marian and Robin Hood get together.
The Productions
I have seen by Treasure Valley children's Theatre are great at
getting the audience involved and keeping them there!
ArtReach's
School Play Becomes Epic Musical: The Legend of Mulan
Stamford
School, Bandung Indonesia
Directed by,
Mary Jane Luyon
The
Legend of Mulan is based on an ancient Chinese poem that has
been the inspiration for countless films, books and television
productions around the world. The story was selected for our musical
this year because of its inspiring message about the spirit of
adventure and courage as well as its incredibly empowering message to
women and girls.
"An
incredibly empowering message to women and girls."
 
ArtReach's Legend
of Mulan - Stamford International School Allegro Altura
Complex Bandung, Indonesia
This school
production took almost one semester of casting, rehearsal and
preparations. More than 60 students auditioned for roles, reflecting
our students' excitement and anticipation of this event.
Throughout this
long and enjoyable journey of preparation, the whole school displayed
their talent, commitment and hard work and learned about the joys of
working together and relying on each other as a group. The whole
school community faced obstacles, solved problems and met challenges together.
"The
whole school displayed talent, commitment & hard work."
 
ArtReach's Legend
of Mulan - Stamford International School Allegro Bandung, Indonesia
We thank
parents for their unfailing commitment and support of this very
successful event.
Mandurah
Catholic College: DRAMA CLUB PRODUCTIONS ALLOW STUDENTS TO SHINE
Posted in The
Arts, Mandurah, WA, AU
Last weekend, 100 Mandurah
Catholic College students were gearing up for the Primary and Middle
School Drama Club productions of Kid
Frankenstein and Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit. The productions
were a huge hit with students giving it their all over the three performances.
Kid
Frankenstein is a light-hearted comedy loosely based on
Mary-Shelley's Frankenstein and follows the adventure of a group of
science-loving kids who embark on a crazy adventure to bring their
monster to life, creating wise-spread panic in their town.
"Drama
is a life skill - being confident and working in a team."
 
ArtReach's Kid
Frankenstein - Mandurah Drama Club Production, AU
Extraordinarily, all of the
technical and backstage roles were completed by students. Senior
drama students designed and operated the lighting and did the sound
for both shows. They also managed the props and set including the
many transitions on stage. Two senior drama students also took on the
challenging role of stage manager, calling the whole show from the
new College mezzanine level 'bio box'. With most schools not having
the ability or desire to teach the technical side of a stage
production, these students were lucky to have the opportunity to
learn about the roll from Production Co-Director, and former
professional stage manager, Mrs Corinna Herbert. Remarkably, Drama
Club rehearsals for the show only started in Week 6 of Term One - a
significant factor considering that for many of the students this was
their first big show.
Mrs Herbert said that Drama
Club "is layered to cater to all abilities in order to challenge
kids at the appropriate level. I feel that the theatre is a place
where any child should be able to come and be creative. Drama is a
life skill - being confident, working in a team, thinking on your
feet and problem solving - these are all important talents to learn.
It's about giving kids the opportunity to find what they love. The
students gain confidence, learn a lot and make lasting friendships."
"A
bright fun and wacky show with plenty of laughs."
  
Lexington
Elementary School, Lexington SC
Drama club has grown
considerably over the years. "We now have so many Years 5-12
students involved we have had to split it into Primary and Middle
School Clubs, and we have also had to limit our numbers." Mrs
Herbert said. "Drama Club allows students to discover who they
are. It is the training ground for the Senior Production and the
Musical, and our way to find hidden talent. I would love to see Drama
Club continue and build. I am so proud of the students - they handled
themselves very well."
The shows were entered into
the Catholic Performing Arts Festival with a judge attending the
performances on the Friday night. Next is the Whole College
Musical, which will be announced in the next could of weeks.
Student
Quotes:
"Working as a stage hand
was such an amazing experience! Being able to help the actors look
even better than they already were was such a privilege for me, also
when you are involved in school productions you and the others become
like a little family where you laugh and have fun. So for me I loved
it and had a great experience!" - Kate Henderson, Stage Hand
"I played Stiltskin in
this year's Middle School Drama Club production, Law and Order: Fairy
Tale Unit. It was an amazing experience to perform alongside my
talented cast members; we're like a family now. But of course, none
of this could have happened without our amazing stage crew, Mrs
Herbert, Mr Capener and Liz Crook who all sacrificed so much time and
patience help us bring these outlandish, fairytale characters to
life. Stiltskin was such a fun character to play, my all-time
favourite scene has got to be the 'echoey flashback' scene, where I
just get to yell 'objection!' at the top of my lungs." -
Karoline Magpily, Stiltskin
"It
was an amazing experience - we're like family now."
 
ArtReach's Kid
Frankenstein - Mandurah Drama Club Production, AU
"I absolutely loved being
a part of both Law and Order: Fairytale Unit and Kid Frankenstein. It
was a truly amazing experience watching the Middle School and Primary
School actors and actresses really grow and bond; they have all come
so far since the start and they pulled of some fabulous shows. We had
a really good team helping with tech, costuming, and stage crew as
well as directing and stage managing, and I would like to
congratulate them all. I loved learning how operate different
programs such as qLab and the sound desk. Lastly I would like to
thank Mrs Herbert for this amazing opportunity it was really
great." - Chloe Sowerbutts - Sound
"I loved playing Mr
Klondike in the Primary Kid
Frankenstein Production, it was very exciting and was great
working as a team. Mr Capener and Mrs Herbert were very encouraging
and positive throughout the whole experience." - Harvey Gladman
- Mr Klondike
"Kid Frankenstein was a
pleasure to be a part of. In the end all our had work, dedication and
determination paid off to put on a bright fun and wacky show with
plenty of Laughs" - Taylah Green, Frankie #2
"When I found out I got
the role Mrs Magilacutty, I was buzzing with excitement! Every single
rehearsal was productive and fun! When it got to opening night, I was
excited but also I was very sad because I knew this was my last
production at the College. Every minute spent reading my lines,
blocking my scenes and talking with my fellow cast members was an
experience and a memory that I will never forget. I encourage
everybody to try out Drama Club to make friends, have fun, and most
of all PERFORM! In the time we had creating the production, we had
our ups and downs, but in the end it all came together and looked
amazing! And remember "Life is not a dress rehearsal, the
curtain is up and you are on so get out there and give it your best
shot!" - Alice Herbert, Mrs Magilacutty
"Kid
Frankenstein and Law and Order: Fairy Tale unit was an AMAZING
learning experience, the people I worked with and the environment
that The Arts Department has created is amazing. It was an amazing
opportunity and would definitely do it again." - Jamie Kilcoyne, Lighting
"Blue
Horses"
Herald
& Review, Decatur, IL
Co
produced by Decatur's Golden K (Kiwanis) and the Millikin School of
Theatre and Dance, this year's Theatre for Children is "Blue
Horses" by Kathryn Schultz Miller.
"Each
person's story helps him or her understand."
On
a summer evening four young people don't want to go home just yet.
One invents a game of "wish upon a star" which demands that
each friend tell a life story in which the others can take roles and
help the central characters achieve their goals. One rides his
intergalactic bicycle through the asteroid belt to a distant plant to
discover and defend against hostile beings. Another wishes for his
twin brother to help him solve the day-to-day problems of schoolwork.
His wish is granted until he discovers his unique talents and chooses
to be independent again.
Finally,
one who struggles to be normal in her family of artists find that
vision improves when horses really can be blue. Each person's story
helps him or understand and assist one another in the trials and
tribulations of grow up, gaining self-confidence and making friends.
Nashville
High School Students Perform ArtReach's Sleepy
Hollow
The
Nashville News, TN
The
Nashville Community High School will present a classic tale of
chills and thrills with its upcoming fall play.
"The
Legend of Sleepy Hollow" opens on Friday, October 19 at 7
p.m. in the NCHS Auditorium with additional performances on
Saturday,, October 20 and Sunday, October 21 at 3 p.m. Admission is $5.
The
story follows the American gothic tale by Washington Irving, and it
is adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller.
"Storytellers
who help keep the action going."
Nashville High School Performs
ArtReach's "The
Legend of Sleepy Hollow"
Set
in 1790 in the countryside around a colonial Dutch settlement,
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" follows the adventures of the
bumbling, awkward schoolteacher Ichabod; the coquettish Katrina; and
Ichabod's rival Brom Bones. There will be six characters who play the
storytellers who help keep the action going throughout the play.
The
play also includes the famous Headless Horseman, who will arrive
near the end.
Osceola
Children's Theatre presents 'A
Christmas Peter Pan'
Osceola
Sentinel-Tribune
It's
time for a magical, holiday adventure.
The
26-member Osceola Children's Theatre will present the musical
production "A
Christmas Peter Pan" 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, and Saturday,
Nov. 21, at Clarke Community High School's auditorium.
Director
Kathy Kooiker has been working with these four through 10-year-old
children for 10 weeks in a story that tells the tale of Peter Pan
trying to rescue a kidnapped Santa Claus from the wicked Captain Hook
and his band of rowdy pirates.
"Appropriate
for all ages, toddlers to grandparents."
Osceola
Children's Theatre - A
Christmas Peter Pan
The
toys have escaped Santa's workshop, the elves are trying to find
them and the Darling children have followed Tinker Bell and Peter Pan
to Neverland to try and help save Christmas.
"This
would be a great first experience for your child."
 
Osceola
Children's Theatre - A
Christmas Peter Pan
Kooiker
said the show is appropriate for all ages, from toddlers to grandparents.
"If
you have never brought your child to a live theatre production, this
would be a great first experience," she said. "We keep
things very child-friendly and children love watching other children
on stage. The is even a little audience participation that will allow
you to really feel like a part of the show."
Doors
open at 6:30 p.m. and there are no reserved seats, so those to first
arrive have first seating choice. The show lasts approximately one hour.
Level
up with ArtReach's The
Reluctant Dragon at the Peterborough Theatre Guild
Family-friendly
production re-imagined as 8-bit video game
By
Sam Tweedle - Kawarthanow.com Peterborough, Ontario
Katherine
Mason as Widget, Samuelle Weatherdon as Mortimer the Dragon, and
Emily Keller as Hairytoes at a dress rehearsal for "The
Reluctant Dragon", the Peterborough Theatre Guild's annual
holiday family play which opens on December 6 (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
For
the past number of years, the Peterborough Theatre Guild has pushed
the envelope in creating intelligent and well-produced family theatre
for their annual December show. However, this year
director Derek Weatherdon is planning to push the envelope even more
when he presents a brand new high-concept version of Kathryn Schultz
Miller's play The Reluctant Dragon, based on the book by Kenneth
Grahame. Featuring a cast of more than a dozen young performers
joined by three adult actors, Derek is reimagining the story in the
form of an 8-bit video game that will appeal to audiences of all ages.
"We
were really lucky that we selected a script that came with editing
rights," Derek says. "That gave us the opportunity to make
all the changes that we wanted to."
"I
didn't rewrite the plot or the dialogue," he adds. "The
story is the same. You've got a kid, a dragon, and a knight. That
doesn't change. But how we present the story is a little more novel.
Our story takes place inside of a video game. This is our big clever hook."
In
the spirit of video games like The Legend of Zelda and Final
Fantasy, Derek and his company create a magical world of villagers
and shepherds, knights and soothsayers, and a misunderstood
dragon. When video game characters Widget (Katherine
Mason) and Hairytoes (Emily Keller) discover a friendly dragon named
Mortimer (Samuelle Weatherdon), their discovery soon alerts the
town's cruel Prince Scumworth (Issac Maker) who calls upon the fabled
dragon slayer Saint George (Josh Butcher) to come out of retirement
for one last battle.
With
their new friend in peril, Widget and Hairytoes must find a way to
save Mortimer, who has little desire to fight for her life.
"Our
story takes place inside a video
game."
 
ArtReach's
The Reluctant Dragon Peterborough Theatre Guild
Josh
Butcher as Saint George the Dragon Slayer, one of only three adult
actors in the play
faces
off against Samuelle Weatherdon as Mortimer during a dress
rehearsal. (photo: Sam Tweedle / kawarthaNOW)
As
an added element to the drama, the play takes place inside of a
video game controlled by a character called Gamer Girl, played by
Aimee Gordon. Described by Aimee as being unlike any of the
characters within the play, Gamer Girl was developed as a unique way
to create multiple points of contact between the audience and the actors.
"While
everybody else is in the video game, I'm the one who's playing
it," Aimee explains. "So I watch what's going on and I make
commentary that has nothing to do with the plot. I'm the character
the audience can relate to, because they really can't relate to video
game characters."
This
is a departure from the original script, which calls for five
narrators who tell the audience what is happening.
"I
don't like narrators," Derek says. "It takes you out of
the moment of the drama. So what I did was bring all of those
narrators together and give the lines to a character who is playing
the game."
Aimee
explains why she enjoys her role as Gamer Girl.
"I've
always played characters that are sweet girls who are nice to
everyone," Aimee says. "I like this role because she's
sassy and she just says what she's thinking."
"Filled
with clever dialogue and a young, vibrant cast of new faces."
  
ArtReach's The
Reluctant Dragon - Seoul Foreign British School, South Korea
Although
this is his first year directing the Guild's Christmas family show,
Derek has also directed a number of productions at Queen Elizabeth
Public School where he teaches. In fact, Derek convinced a number of
students he worked with in past productions, as well as adults who
worked on sets for the show, to come work on The Reluctant
Dragon. "One of things I wanted to do in directing this
play was bring some of the talented youngsters I have worked with at
Queen Elizabeth Public School with me to the Guild," Derek says.
"Young talent deserves the chance to shine and grow, and working
on a larger scale like this is the logical next step."
Katherine
Mason and Emily Keller, who plays the show's two central characters
Widget and Hairytoes, are not only former students of Derek's, but
they've worked together on his previous shows and are real-life best
friends. This makes for a natural chemistry between these two young
performers making their debut on the Theatre Guild stage.
"I'm
a kid with an unfortunate name," says Emily of her character
Hairytoes. "Basically I meet the dragon and I think he's pretty
awesome. I like the dragon because he plays Scrabble."
"The
dragon isn't so keen on me though," adds Katherine. "She
likes Hairytoes more than me, and I don't like that I'm losing my
friend to the dragon."
In
the role of Mortimer the dragon is Samuelle Weatherdon, who takes on
different voices as well as engaging in stage fights to perform the role.
"To
become a dragon you have to abandon all sense of humanity," Sam
says with a coy grin. "You just can't be human. You just have to
be a dragon. You walk weird and you talk weird."
What
is different this year is that adult actors, who were absent in the
past two previous shows, are returning to the stage for this
production. Although greatly outnumbered by the young actors, The
Reluctant Dragon features the talents of local favourites Josh
Butcher, Kelsey Gordon-Powell, and Sylvie Dasne.
"If
you're going to have children playing adults, that's great in an
elementary school," Derek says. "But when you've got access
to adults, let them play the adults. There are also great
opportunities for mentorship there, and you create a more realistic
theatre experience for new actors."
"I've
always loved working with a younger cast, and this bunch is one of
the best casts I've ever worked with," says Josh Butcher of his
young co-stars. "They are very focused, very attentive, and very
talented, and lots of fun to work with." "I think we
really lucked out with some of our casting," Derek adds. "We
have a variety of experience, from multi-page resumes to having
never been on stage before, and everyone has done a great job of
buying in to what we are trying to do."
Derek
and his company are seeking to create a theatrical experience that's
not considered a family show, but a piece of theatre that families
can enjoy together.
"Despite
the fact we are the family show at the Guild, and that traditionally
means an all or mostly youth cast, we don't see this as a kid's
show," Derek points out. "It's a show, period. It's for
kids and by kids, but it's a show. We don't want anyone leaving
saying 'That was a great show &ldots; for a bunch of kids'. We want
them saying 'That was a great show.' Full stop."
Both
Aimee and Samuelle agree with Derek. "Usually when people
think of a children's show, they think of people bringing in their
own costumes and not having a set and being done on a school
stage," Aimee says. "This is not like that."
"In
most children's shows, nobody grows and nobody changes,"
Samuelle adds. "This isn't a kid's show. This is just a show
that has kids in it."
"That's
what you want from a good play."
 
ArtReach's
The Reluctant Dragon Peterborough Theatre Guild
"It
has ups and downs. People grow. People change. That's what you want
from a good play. You don't want a character to do a bunch of stuff
and then nothing changes. You want a group of people who do stuff and
make changes. You want to feel for the characters. You want to
understand their challenges and how they create the solutions to
those problems. You want to see that happen."
Filled
with clever dialogue, inside gamer jokes, and a young and vibrant
cast of new faces, The Reluctant Dragon is a smart and highly
original show that both adults and children can enjoy together.
"This
is going to be a fantastic show," Josh says. "It's not
going to be just laughs and funs and video game lulz. This is going
to have everything in it. It's going to be an emotional rollercoaster ride."
A
favourite holiday tradition for families in the Kawarthas, the
Peterborough Theatre Guild's family show always delivers and this
year is no exception. Derek and his company have created something
pretty fantastic. Tickets for the annual show go fast, so make
sure to purchase your tickets from the box office as soon as
possible. This is a show that you don't want to miss out on.
ACT's
'Peter Pan' A Fun Play for
All Ages
The
Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD; By [email protected]
Other
than Neverland, the magical home of Peter Pan, there's no place an
Area Community Theatre audience can watch edgy sword fights with
no-good pirates, a daring rescue of a princess and children flying
through the night sky.
The
tale of Peter Pan and Wendy will take theater-goers back to their
youth in the second children's production this summer. The play was
originally written by J.M. Barrie and has been adapted for a young
cast by Kathryn Schultz Miller.
"Peter
Pan" starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Pepsi-Cola
Theatre for the performing arts. Tickets are $5 each for general
admission seating.
"What
they have put together is incredible."
ArtReach's Peter
Pan - Mitchell Area Community Theatre
Photo:
Katelyn Biggerstaff, right, who plays Wendy, sews on Peter Pan's
shadow in a rehearsal for the Mitchell Area Community Theatre and
Mitchell Parks and Recreation production of "Peter
Pan" Wednesday. Peter Pan is played by Marissa Moller and
Peter Pan's shadow is played by Sarah Moore. (Photos by Jennifer Jungwirth/Republic)
The
show includes all the classic scenes in the "Peter Pan"
story adults and children heard growing up -- finding Peter Pan's
shadow, the lost boys looking for a mother, Hook's kidnapping of
Tiger Lily and Peter Pan's brave attempt to save her, the mermaids
and the crocodile that took Hook's right hand.
A
summer collaboration between the ACT and the Mitchell Parks and
Recreation Department, "Peter Pan" includes a cast of 25
under the direction of South Dakota State University sophomore Jacob
Pecenka, and Brianna Bernard and Emily Grode, who graduated from
Mitchell High School this past year.
The
show is a five-week program for youth that is meant to teach theater
basics. Students started the first week playing games on stage to get
them accustomed to each other and the theater atmosphere. Then they
read through different parts in the script before casting. Rehearsals
continued for a month. Besides starring in the play, the students
also help design and create the costumes and set.
"It
gives them the full experience of the theater program," Pecenka said.
This
is Pecenka's second year directing the children's theater, and he
said he's found the experience to really open the kids up.
"It's
fun to see the kids that performed last year sign up again and to
see the change in them," he said.
And
even though they are young actors and actresses, the kids are able
to develop their characters and make them their own.
"We're
essentially just direction," Pecenka said of the directors.
"What they have put together is incredible."
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