Sioux Empire Community Theatre Announces Children's Theater Program

Sioux Empire Community Theatre will raise the curtain on a new children's theater program in Sioux Falls, thanks to a grant from the Sioux Empire United Way. Beginning this summer, Sioux Empire Kids Theatre (SEKT) will offer three distinct components throughout the year, allowing kids hands-on theater experience through behind-the-scene workshops as well as on-stage roles.

The original mission of SECT was adult theatre but they now want to fill a void in accessible, affordable theatre training and participation for children. "It's exciting for us to be able to offer year-long programming for children that will help them develop a love and appreciation for the art of theater," said Sarah Jennings, President of SECT.

The program begins the week of June 15-20, when Missoula Children's Theatre comes to Sioux Falls to present a week of workshops on make-up, set design and improvisation, and involve local children in their production of RUMPELSTILTSKIN. Two shows at 3:00 and 5:30 p.m. are scheduled on Saturday, June 20. A casting call will be announced soon.

Children can look forward to a second week of workshops and a performance opportunity later in the fall with Children's Theater Company of South Dakota.

Other SEKT activities will include a spring musical in 2010. Workshops at the Orpheum, scheduled the weekends before the production, will introduce children to various aspects of theater, culminating with a chance to meet the cast of the musical, see the show and experience what goes on behind the scenes of a main-stage production.

Sioux Empire Community Theater piloted a children's program in the summer of 2008 with Missoula Children's Theatre's presentation of THE LITTLE MERMAID. "Response was overwhelmingly positive, and we had many children and parents urging us to make this kind of opportunity a part of our annual programming, with our grant from the United Way, we look forward to building on this opportunity and have future plans for continued programs with Kids theatre," said Sarah Jennings.

The Sioux Empire Community Theatre (SECT) is a volunteer-based organization founded in the summer of 2003. SECT has two main purposes: to provide an opportunity for volunteers to participate in all aspects of community theatre, and to provide affordable, professional-quality live theater for the greater Sioux Empire. They utilize the local talent both onstage and offstage to provide the best shows possible. SECT is incorporated in the state of South Dakota and has acheived 501(c)(3) status as a not-for-profit entity. SECT is also has the support of the South Dakota Arts Council and a growing base of sponsors from both the private and public sectors of the greater Sioux Empire.

For more information, visit www.mysect.com.

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