Theater for kids
Mary Hickman
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to share what our local support group has done and is currently
doing. We have produced several shows backyard style with the stage being a
porch complete with potluck afterwards. The kids made the sets, props,
costumes. One mom, Sue are you reading, directed in the sense that she
openned her house, moved the kids through rehersals and made sure all the
loose ends were tied. Now another mom is directing because Sue left us for
Texas. Some older kids do backstage work, make programs, run music, help
with costume changes. Our shows are great fun and the kids do everything. A
very positive experience, without a big boss directing. Also, the amount of
time the directors put in seems reasonable and they can reach out to any
parents for help. Generally 10 or so families participate. I'd say if you
have the energy, go for kid produced shows. We take about 4-6 weeks to
reherse, then perform for families and friends. We have charged $5 per kid
for tapes and scripts. This next show we rented a local business which
musicians perform at, so the cost is up to $20.00 per kid to cover the
rental. We will not charge for tickets this time. We will have a "real"
stage, and seating. We will have a spontaneous talent show following to get
the full use of the facility.
On the other side, our local community theater does very professional shows,
but some families find the environment too stressful. Long hours of practice
late into the night, rigerous rehersal schedules,have to attend all
practices and shows. Great shows. Different goals.
Mary
Oh, we live in the city limits so roosters are out for coon protection. A
good idea, though. I recall how tough those guys can be from my chicken
farming days.
_________________________________________________________________
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I wanted to share what our local support group has done and is currently
doing. We have produced several shows backyard style with the stage being a
porch complete with potluck afterwards. The kids made the sets, props,
costumes. One mom, Sue are you reading, directed in the sense that she
openned her house, moved the kids through rehersals and made sure all the
loose ends were tied. Now another mom is directing because Sue left us for
Texas. Some older kids do backstage work, make programs, run music, help
with costume changes. Our shows are great fun and the kids do everything. A
very positive experience, without a big boss directing. Also, the amount of
time the directors put in seems reasonable and they can reach out to any
parents for help. Generally 10 or so families participate. I'd say if you
have the energy, go for kid produced shows. We take about 4-6 weeks to
reherse, then perform for families and friends. We have charged $5 per kid
for tapes and scripts. This next show we rented a local business which
musicians perform at, so the cost is up to $20.00 per kid to cover the
rental. We will not charge for tickets this time. We will have a "real"
stage, and seating. We will have a spontaneous talent show following to get
the full use of the facility.
On the other side, our local community theater does very professional shows,
but some families find the environment too stressful. Long hours of practice
late into the night, rigerous rehersal schedules,have to attend all
practices and shows. Great shows. Different goals.
Mary
Oh, we live in the city limits so roosters are out for coon protection. A
good idea, though. I recall how tough those guys can be from my chicken
farming days.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.
Karin
Our support group does backyard-style productions, too, about once a year, usually at the end of the "school year" (May).
One or two of the moms has quite a bit of experience with productions of this sort, and their input and influence is greatly appreciated.
The kids and moms make all the costumes, set designs and props. The performances are held at people's houses. Once the kids even performed a puppet show for a preschool at Christmas-time. They were SO proud of themselves!
This year the kids will be performing 3 plays or "tales" scripted from The Canterbury Tales and also performing The Reluctant Dragon.
It should be lots of fun, but we're already approaching mid-April and it's getting to be crunch time soon! Lots of rehearsals and practices. The kids have so much fun doing these performances, though, so it's worth it. It's great to record on video, too, and watch it years later.
Tomorrow we're also going to see The Reluctant Dragon peformed by our local theater company - Childsplay. They usually put on a great performance and give us great inspiration for our own little shows.
Karin
Mary Hickman wrote:
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to share what our local support group has done and is currently
doing. We have produced several shows backyard style with the stage being a
porch complete with potluck afterwards. The kids made the sets, props,
costumes. One mom, Sue are you reading, directed in the sense that she
openned her house, moved the kids through rehersals and made sure all the
loose ends were tied. Now another mom is directing because Sue left us for
Texas. Some older kids do backstage work, make programs, run music, help
with costume changes. Our shows are great fun and the kids do everything. A
very positive experience, without a big boss directing. Also, the amount of
time the directors put in seems reasonable and they can reach out to any
parents for help. Generally 10 or so families participate. I'd say if you
have the energy, go for kid produced shows. We take about 4-6 weeks to
reherse, then perform for families and friends. We have charged $5 per kid
for tapes and scripts. This next show we rented a local business which
musicians perform at, so the cost is up to $20.00 per kid to cover the
rental. We will not charge for tickets this time. We will have a "real"
stage, and seating. We will have a spontaneous talent show following to get
the full use of the facility.
On the other side, our local community theater does very professional shows,
but some families find the environment too stressful. Long hours of practice
late into the night, rigerous rehersal schedules,have to attend all
practices and shows. Great shows. Different goals.
Mary
Oh, we live in the city limits so roosters are out for coon protection. A
good idea, though. I recall how tough those guys can be from my chicken
farming days.
_________________________________________________________________
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One or two of the moms has quite a bit of experience with productions of this sort, and their input and influence is greatly appreciated.
The kids and moms make all the costumes, set designs and props. The performances are held at people's houses. Once the kids even performed a puppet show for a preschool at Christmas-time. They were SO proud of themselves!
This year the kids will be performing 3 plays or "tales" scripted from The Canterbury Tales and also performing The Reluctant Dragon.
It should be lots of fun, but we're already approaching mid-April and it's getting to be crunch time soon! Lots of rehearsals and practices. The kids have so much fun doing these performances, though, so it's worth it. It's great to record on video, too, and watch it years later.
Tomorrow we're also going to see The Reluctant Dragon peformed by our local theater company - Childsplay. They usually put on a great performance and give us great inspiration for our own little shows.
Karin
Mary Hickman wrote:
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to share what our local support group has done and is currently
doing. We have produced several shows backyard style with the stage being a
porch complete with potluck afterwards. The kids made the sets, props,
costumes. One mom, Sue are you reading, directed in the sense that she
openned her house, moved the kids through rehersals and made sure all the
loose ends were tied. Now another mom is directing because Sue left us for
Texas. Some older kids do backstage work, make programs, run music, help
with costume changes. Our shows are great fun and the kids do everything. A
very positive experience, without a big boss directing. Also, the amount of
time the directors put in seems reasonable and they can reach out to any
parents for help. Generally 10 or so families participate. I'd say if you
have the energy, go for kid produced shows. We take about 4-6 weeks to
reherse, then perform for families and friends. We have charged $5 per kid
for tapes and scripts. This next show we rented a local business which
musicians perform at, so the cost is up to $20.00 per kid to cover the
rental. We will not charge for tickets this time. We will have a "real"
stage, and seating. We will have a spontaneous talent show following to get
the full use of the facility.
On the other side, our local community theater does very professional shows,
but some families find the environment too stressful. Long hours of practice
late into the night, rigerous rehersal schedules,have to attend all
practices and shows. Great shows. Different goals.
Mary
Oh, we live in the city limits so roosters are out for coon protection. A
good idea, though. I recall how tough those guys can be from my chicken
farming days.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.
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