October 14, 2008
BY ASHLIE L’HOMME
Editor-in-Chief
High School Musical is about to debut, but that does not mean the theater will soon be empty. It will be picking right back up with the Fifth Annual Children’s Show and the student-directed One Acts, both offering opportunities for students to gain stage experience. The Children’s Show, the brainchild of former communications director Tom Mason along with Director of Theatre Scott MacLaughlin, began five years ago.
As the name suggests, the play is geared toward students from kindergarten through fifth grade from USD 470 and the surrounding area.
For many, said MaLaughlin, this is a first exposure these kids have to theatre or the arts.
This is a “win/win situation” said MacLaughlin, because it gives his students more experience on stage and behind the scenes, while giving younger students an exposure that will stick with them for years to come.
This year’s play is Jack and the Beanstalk, featuring Jack, his parents, Albert the Giant, an opera-singing cow who does not give milk and a hen ... MacLaughlin called “very fun”.
Unlike larger scale productions, the Children’s Show features audience/actor interaction, sometimes going as far as to call for bits of improv.
Children will boo at the villains and cheer for the heroes, playing off what takes place on stage. The energy is high to keep the active audience engaged.
Besides being fun, MacLaughlin said the show contains “powerful life tokens” that the children should be able to find and keep with them.
“It’s a lot of fun for the children,” said MacLaughlin. “It also is a new experience for actors.”
As the Children’s Show is kicking off its auditions, Act One will be signing up talent for the One Acts.
These student-directed shows are short pieces, sometimes parts of another, larger play, sometimes student-written.
“They are very different from anything else done at Cowley; simply and utterly student-lead,” said Thomas Govert, coordinator of the One Acts. “You get to see the real art and power of individualism.”
“It’s unique. People can both express themselves and see and be in something completely new.”
Directors must have a lot of discipline and strength and actors need to be able to recognize their peers as more than just a buddy.
Also, the shows are set in a more intimate setting. Instead of the stage, they will be held in the rehearsal hall.
“The show entertains on a much more personal level, as if the actor is talking straight to you,” said Govert.
Auditions for both the Children’s Show and the One Acts will be held on Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. in the rehearsal hall. Students can only be in one or the other show, however, when they audition, they can try out for both.
It is the actor’s preference, which show they choose to perform in and they may even specify what One Act they would prefer.
One Acts will be presented on Nov. 24 and Jack and the Beanstalk will show on Dec. 1 and 2.
Pool Tournament, Game Room, 9 p.m.
Oct. 21
Oct. 30, 2008
Halloween Cosmic Costume Dance, Cowley Recreation Building, 9 p.m. to midnight.
Nov. 6, 2008
Open Mic Night, Brown’s, 7 p.m.
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