Little Theatre youth learn in children’s workshop
Finn Blocker, left, Olivia Alexander and Kiki Brown practicing the blocking for SpongeBob.
Little Theatre of Tuscarawas County will culminate two weeks of learning and rehearsal with its 50th summer youth production, “SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition.”
The children’s workshop consists of students entering first grade through fifth grade, and the performance-intensive group consists of students entering fifth grade through ninth grade. Seventy-five students are participating.
During the children’s workshop the past two weeks, students were taught introductory improvisation, memorization, characterizations, singing, dancing and acting.
They also were introduced to stage positions, stage etiquette and auditioning. Students will perform in three large ensemble numbers in “SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition” and will create costumes, props and set pieces for those numbers. The workshop is focused on providing a solid foundation for future success in the performing arts.
According to Education Director Mary Maxwell, both groups of students have been rehearsing since May but are now rehearsing every day.
“Each day is broken into time to learn how to properly warm up, review choreography and music, block and rehearse the show, and work on special projects within interest groups,” she said. “The students take ownership of their work, and it is incredible to watch them collaborate in this way. Everyone has a skill or voice to share within the group.”
The cast includes the following in order of appearance: Natalie Armstrong, French narrator; Olivia Alexander, SpongeBob SquarePants; Julia Hart, Gary; Finnegan Blocker, Patrick Star; Mariah Sanner, Squidward; Kimcade Brown, Sandy Cheeks; Deacon Polen, Eugene H Krabs; Tabitha Miller, Sheldon J Plankton; Elyse Zeedyk, Karen Plankton; Madeline Minnis, Pearl Krabs; McKenzie Waller, Perch Perkins; Claire Corder, The Mayor of Bikini Bottom; Simon Cannizzaro, Sardine Devotee; Peyton Rieger, Sardine Devotee; Emma Valot, Sardine Devotee; Carson Everett-Bible, Larry the Lobster; Max Cooley, Electric Skate; Silas Fannin, Electric Skate; Anson Miller, Electric Skate; Abraham Morris, Old Man Jenkins; and Josie Hanes, Mrs. Puff.
Those participating in the performance-intensive ensemble are Brynn Bollon, Lucy Courtright, Olivia Eick, Jayden Davidson, Max Enold, Emily Flood, Sophie Hammerstrom, Anabell McCarty, Violet McMillan, Greta McNutt, Theresa Morris, Delaney Nottingham, Caroline Sams, Stella Tompkins and Lanie Wenger.
The children’s workshop ensemble consists of Lily Affolter, Jossalyn Bauer, Saff Cannizzaro, Brynn Clark, Alena Claxon, Ethan Clements, Penelope Cochenour, Scarlett Cooley, Emerson Cornell, Ayrton Diemling, Eve Dunlap, Ava Eick, Ilee Fannin, Emma Friley, Nora Jones, Goergina Krahel, Avayah Lorenz, Quinn Martell, Ruby McCarty, Sam McCleery, Nora McCleery, Cecilia McMillan, Allegra McMillen, Lucy Minnis, Veronica Morris, Perpetua Morris, Katherine Morris, Barrett Moser, Braxton Moser, Adalee Mummert, Lilly Parisi, Ellie Parisi, Ayla Price, Madilyn Pitchard, Harrison Quicksall, Adam Reiger, Eleanor Rosneck, Amira Sanner, Ben Schrock, Finneas Sheahan, Alice Tucker, Grayson Wade, Sawyer Wade, Irelie Wells and Sadie Wenger.
Maxwell includes the following in her staff: Jennica Cochran, choreographer; Josie McCutcheon, music director; Garret David, production assistant; Shannon Mitchell, production assistant; and several local students who have participated in the summer workshops in the past and the cast and crew of the Little Theatre’s summer production of “The SpongeBob Musical” who are volunteering their time and talent as well.
Performances are open to family and friends of the casts beginning Aug. 4 and ending Aug. 6, with matinees on both Aug. 5 and 6.