EVERYTHING
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During last July’s 5.8 earthquake, 3-year-old Bronwyn told her 1-year-old sister, “We’re going for a wiggle.” READ MORE
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Children love make-believe games where they can pretend to be someone else. So why don’t more of them go to the theater, where play-acting is a way of life? Simple: Most plays are geared toward an adult audience. Sure, there are the occasional puppet productions or Broadway blockbusters like “Beauty and the Beast,” but shows aimed at the younger set are hard to come by. South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa intends to change all that with its new Theatre for Young Audiences...and Their Families series, a program aimed at building a multi-generation audience for professional theater. Over its 40-year history, South Coast Repertory has earned a reputation as one of the top theaters in the country. A recipient of a Tony Award for best regional theater and recently named one of the top five theater troupes in America by Time Magazine, SCR prides itself in offering theatergoers a blend of classic plays and new works. However, despite its success, SCR Producing Artistic Director David Emmes says his theater has a calling to provide theatrical productions geared for a family audience. “We looked to see what more we could do as a major American theater, and we felt we could do more to help create the audiences of tomorrow,” says Emmes. “This was partially motivated by the erosion of arts education in America and particularly in California. We decided to do something about that, so we created a season of plays that parents and grandparents can bring their kids to.” The series, which employs professional casts and top designers, was launched last October. It includes a musical version of “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” an adaptation of Louis Sachar’s “Sideways Stories From Wayside School” and the world premiere of a new adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s “The Wind in the Willows,” scheduled for June 4-20. SCR’s current educational production, “The Pride of Weedpatch Camp,” is touring through May 1. The play, suitable for grades K-8, combines theater with history and social science as it brings to life the stories of families who immigrated to California in the 1930s. As to the Theatre for Young Audiences, Emmes says the series is not a baby-sitting service, but rather an opportunity for a parent to take a child to the theater and see plays that are fun and exciting. The end result, he says, is to offer an experience the entire family can share and discuss. At no cost To accomplish its goal of introducing the next generation to theater, Theatre for Young Audiences offers free admission to thousands of children throughout Orange County, thanks to grants from the Whittier Foundation and The Irvine Co. Twelve of each production’s 25 performances will be school-day matinees reserved for students at no cost, with a different school district invited to each show. For the upcoming “Wind in the Willows,” the Newport-Mesa School District is the chosen Education Partner. South Coast Repertory’s production of “The Wind in the Willows” is written by playwright Richard Hellesen and composer Michael Silversher, the creators of six SCR Educational Touring Productions, including this season’s “Indian Summer.” Information: 714.708.5555. Around O.C.: Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre The Laguna Playhouse offers plays for kids, starring kids, and amazingly produced by kids. Since 1986, the Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre has provided an opportunity for children of all ages to both participate in and learn about theater. “Part of our children’s theater conservatory is they not only have acting classes, but they also learn to stage manage, house manage and run the lights and sound,” explains Joe Lauderdale, who has been the Playhouse’s Youth Theatre Director for the past 15 years. Three youth theater series are offered: a three-series program for children ages 5 and up, a production for middle and high school kids and their parents and a showcase of repertory and conservatory work. “Being involved in theater is building life skills,” says Lauderdale. “The majority of kids are not going to go onto professional careers in the theater, but what they learn here will be with them for life. We’re also building future audiences and appreciation for the arts in general, for those who attend the shows and those who participate.” Upcoming Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre shows include the World Premiere of “Cut,” adapted by Lauderdale from the book by Patricia McCormick, and “Ramona Quimby” by Len Jenkin, adapted from the book by Beverly Cleary. Information: 800.946.5556, or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com Christopher Trela of Mission Viejo is a freelance writer. |
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