Youngsters getting ready for their big close-ups
Published on August 10th, 2005
Her red tee-shirt a blur as she marches in all directions across the stage, Caitlin Lowans energetically shouts a mix of warm encouragement and intense instruction at the young performers.
"Where are the emotions, ladies and gentlemen? Stop! We're doing that again. I saw no feeling, no gestures," the theatre instructor loudly remarks at one point, making the large group of begin their singing anew.
"It's iffy. It usually is, but it always comes together," Samantha Cunha, one of Lowans instructors would casually explain during a break later on in the afternoon.
Part of Stoneham Theatre's annual Young Company summer program, a five-week workshop for aspiring actors and actresses from the second to 12th grades, Cunha and the large group of participants working under Lowans' careful gaze are gearing up for three performances of "Just So" this weekend.
Spending the past three weeks preparing for the musical, which is inspired by the children's literature of Rudyard Kipling, Lowans' students comprise the summer program's Act II group, which is made up of participants in the sixth to ninth grade.
"This play is a great mix for these kids who are 11-14 years-old, because although it's based on children's literature, it contains themes of growing up to adulthood and diversity," Lowans said.
"This is really the chance for these kids to grow on their own. The students definitely lobby for certain shows, but ultimately we pick. We try to pick shows that are challenging," the instructor added, expressing her satisfaction with her students' ability to rise to the occasion.
According to several of the 11-to-14-year-olds, the summer experience has certainly proved to be the growing experience that their instructor yearns for.
With a 30 of the 36 students enrolled in the overall theatre program returning for at least their second time, some of the newer participants had to overcome reoccurring bouts of shyness.
"When you first start out, it's tough, because so many people have been there before. And they're much more outgoing, so it's intimidating," said Cunha, who is a returning student.
"The first week, I was really shy," admitted Melissa Canavan, a first-time theatre group student standing with Cunha. "But as the weeks go by, you make more friends. And then it's so much fun."
Holding three shows this weekend, the Act II group will perform the musical at the Stoneham Theatre on Thursday Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m., Friday Aug. 13 at 3 p.m., and Saturday Aug. 14 at 3 p.m.
In addition, the Act III group, which is made up of students from the ninth to 12th grades, will also put on their own rendition of "Footloose" after prepping for the dance-laden musical for the past three weeks as well.
According to Lowans, the decision to take-on "Footloose" was made after the Act III group absorbed and conquered a difficult musical play last summer. And so looking for a more difficult act, the teens agreed to take a stab at mastering both the musical and dance rhythms required of the script, which is based on the 1980's movie starring Kevin Bacon.
Performing this upcoming weekend, the Act III's rendition of "Footloose" can be seen at Friday Aug 12. at 7:30 p.m., Saturday Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday Aug. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
A free performance of the Act I group's "Showcase: An explosion of music, singing, and dance" can also be seen on Aug. 12-14 at 12 noon. The Act I group is made up of students in the second through fifth grades.
Stonehamites interested in attending the Young Company's performances can still purchase tickets for the musicals by contacting Stoneham Theatre at 781-279-2200 or by walking into the box office on Main Street. Tickets cost $12.
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