Playmakers Youth Theatre Offers Big Benefits To Kids, Auditions For SUESSICAL, JR Set For 6/6

When planning your child’s summer activities, why not consider The Playmakers’ summer youth productions.   It offers many benefits while giving the kids a lot of fun.

“As a former dance teacher and director of many musicals, I know about the cognitive and social benefits to kids when they participate,” said director, Suzanne Boles.  “Rehearsals don’t take every day and weekend, depending upon the role, but it is a big commitment for the summer.  Parents might want to think of it as a theatre day-camp without charge, and besides having fun, the kids learn a lot.”

There has been much good research showing that students in the arts improve their basic skill areas as well as their creative thinking.  The arts promote great social interaction and teamwork, as well as such behavioral aspects as self-discipline.  They give the students new friends that share their interests.  When asked what they thought was the biggest thing they got from being in a musical, last year’s cast, crew and parents of “The Dinosaur Musical” responded:  Confidence!  And, the exercises, both movement and vocal exercises, not only develop their performing skills but promote better mental and physical health.  All of these benefits accrue while the students have a lot of fun!

The Playmakers are used to the demanding task of scheduling around other activities.

They attempt to set schedules that keep working parents in mind. The rehearsals are set after casting, but casting must take into account the amount of time the student has to give. In the beginning, rehearsals will be weekday afternoons.

Auditions are set for June 6, 1:00 pm, at The Playmakers, 121 W. 3rd in Grove for both  “Suessical, Jr” and “Noodle Doodle Box,” a very funny, allegorical play about friendship and cooperation.  Rehearsals will begin the next week. The production opens July 24 and runs for eight performances through August 2.

There are major roles for most of the Dr. Seuss characters: Horton, Gertrude, JoJo/Boy, Mr. Mayor, Mrs. Mayor, The Cat in the Hat, Sour/Young Kangaroo, and the Wickershams, plus a girls harmony singing group, the “Bird Girls.”  Smaller roles inlclude The Grinch, Yertle the Turtle and Vlad Vladikoff, the vulture.   Those auditioning for these major characters must be able to sing well and have coordinated movement skills, if not dance.  There are places, also, for chorus parts such as circus animals, fish, citizens of Whoville and the jungle of Nool.   Students must be at least 6 years of age for chorus parts; older for solo parts.  A CD with excerpts of the music is available for a 2-day checkout.

Those whose comic talent is better than their singing and dancing skills may prefer to audition for “Noodle Doodle Box.”   It is basically a three-character play.