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August 7, 2012
The Bayou Playhouse presents the fruits of its first children’s training program, BayouKidz!, in Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods Jr.” early this month.
The 27 students, ranging in age from 6 to 15, have practiced throughout July for the performances. Besides the typical acting, singing and dancing workshops, the students have learned basics in technical aspects of theater including hair and makeup design and application, stage management, costume design, set design, lights and sound.
Jillian Rowan, director of BayouKidz!, says she has enjoyed her first time teaching in Lafourche and is impressed by the children’s talent. She says the students have adapted to their roles and added creative insight to many of the characters.
“It’s an interesting show that takes fairy tales, deconstructs them, and puts them back together in a new way,” says Rowan, also the playhouse’s education director. “I thought the kids would get a kick out of taking these familiar stories and remaking them.”
“Into The Woods Jr.” is a one-hour version of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that features many beloved characters, like Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Jack and the Beanstalk and several others. The musical takes the audience into a world where wolves stalk the forest, witches cast spells and a fairytale ending is only a golden slipper away.
Nicholas Cheramie, the Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince, says the show has some great moments.
“I can’t say I have a favorite character,” Cheramie, 13, says. “They all have their moment in the play where they shine.”
Nicole Webb, music director, explains the difficulty for some of the kids, especially the boys, is that their voices are in the middle changing.
“This is tough music, but they are doing really well,” Webb says. “It’s just about getting these kids adjusted to this kind of music and making them feel comfortable and confident enough to sell it.”
Dillon Hughes, program assistant, says the cast has also been creative in comprehending their roles and developing their characters.
Technical Stage Manager Trey Acosta says he is excited about what this show means for the theater and city.
“It’s awesome to be able to teach them what we know, to do workshop and classes,” Acosta says. “This is the first time this theater has gotten to work with kids, and I’m pumped about getting started with the new generation.”
BayouKidz! has also given students the opportunity to make new friends.
“I like it because you can be yourself,” says 12-year-old Caroline Savoie, the Wicked Witch. “Everyone is here for the same reasons. You don’t have to be embarassed.”
The play runs from Aug. 3-5 at the Bayou Playhouse, 101 Main St., Lockport. Tickets cost $15 and can be reserved at www.bayouplayhouse.com or by phone at (888) 992-2968.
Children between the ages of 6 and 15 fill out the cast for “Into the Woods Jr.,” the Bayou Playhouses first production stemming from its children’s training program BayouKidz!.
