Youth theater appears to be getting more popular thanks to pop culture

As a child of about 4 or 5, Amanda Loewy of Natick, acted out scenes with her father, Richard, from some of her favorite books including "Robin Hood."

"It was really fun to imagine and bring these character to life that I experienced in books," Amanda said recently. "I was Maid Marian and my father was either Robin Hood or King Richard the Lionhearted."

At 14, Amanda is still acting. As a student at the Weston Drama Workshop this year she was the narrator in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." Last year she played the queen in "Once Upon a Mattress."

"It's fun to interact with kids who love acting as much as I do and work with awesome directors and learn from them," said Amanda. "We learned how to incorporate acting, singing and dancing together. I have had many great experiences. It's fun for me and I learn a lot doing it."

In the MetroWest, there is no shortage of theater offerings for children. In addition to the Weston Drama Workshop, the Wheelock Family Theater, The Next Stage, The Performing Arts Center of MetroWest (PAC), and the Performing Arts Connection of Sudbury all offer opportunities for children to perform.

Pop culture may be leading the demand, particularly in programs offered in musical theater and voice lessons, according to Sherry Anderson, executive director of the Performing Arts Center in Framingham.

"Pop culture - like "American Idol" is enticing more kids," Anderson said based on her observations and conversations she hears.
Anderson cited as an example the center's offering of tickets it offered for "Wiked." "We sold out the 55 tickets at $100 a show in less than a week. Parents will take their children."

The movie "Hairspray" is another attraction.

"With lots of singing and dancing, it is very appealing and makes you feel good," Anderson added.

With the pop culture demand trickling down from television programs such as "Dancing with the Stars," the center plans to offer hip hop classes in the fall.

"I think it's terrific children are getting exposure to the arts in all different kids of ways," said Anderson.

The Vokes Players in Wayland, which previously offered children's programs, have been discussing the possibility of bringing them back.

"Members have fallen away because they need to spend more time with their families," said Donnie Baillargeon, president of the board of directors of the Vokes Players. "These programs may get them more involved and the children will bring their parents back."

Linda Loewy loves the programs her daughter, Amanda, takes at Weston Drama Workshop.

"I think it's fabulous," said her mother. "The students have a great summer, have a social opportunity to meet other students. It's an opportunity for her to spend quite a bit of time doing what she loves the most — singing, acting and dancing. Secondly, it's excellent discipline. You really learn a lot about yourself. You set the bar for yourself by how much you want to put in it."

When Amanda thinks about college four years away, a major in theater is a possibility with a minor in something else.

When she was a student at Wilson Middle School in Natick, she was able to reinforce what she learned at the summer workshop.

"As she got into middle school at Wilson, which has a very active theater program, Amanda played Jasmine in the musical, "Aladdin."

In the fall as a freshmen at Natick High School, Amanda can continue to participate in the theater.

"She's been doing theater since preschool," said her mother, Linda Loewy. "She's always enjoyed theater. Natick High School is very well known for their theater productions. Every year they do amazing productions so she's really looking forward to going to the school."

At the Weston Drama Workshop, Amanda learned to act, sing and dance. She also learned about expressions, saying her lines and creating a character. Established 45 years ago, the Weston Drama Workshop meets in the summer from the end of June until the end of July.

In the morning program students entering grades 6 through 9, produced the musical "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

During the evening program, high school and college students through age 23, performed the musical, "Steel Pier," as well as the straight drama, "Dancing at Lughnasa."

"We do these three full-length productions," said Sue Ryan, Weston Drama Workshop's executive producer.

"Some of their time is spent in rehearsals, but we also try to offer a workshop within that context in accordance with what's going on the play. For example in "Steel Pier," they have a workshop on ballroom dancing instruction and in "Dancing at Lughnasa, they have a dialect coach because it's an Irish play."

"We take everyone who wants to participate and put them in to the show in some capacity," said Ryan. "They do it for the love of theater. They learn team work and build self esteem while they learn to dance, sing, and act."

Tickets are sold for the three performances, which are open to the public and held at the Fine Arts Center at Regis College.

Workshops are also offered on how to choose an audition piece, how to conduct yourself in audition as well as a technical program workshop that teaches students the skills of set building, scene painting, lights, sound, etc.

The Wheelock Family Theater, located in Boston, also emphasizes collaborative work. At Wheelock, which begins its 27th season, children and professional actors work together.

John Bay, the theater's education program director, hires working professionals, including actors, directors, designers and stage managers still involved in performing.

"They also know how to teach what they know and they have experience in child development," said Bay. "If children perform in a non-musical, they learn the fundamentals of acting, character movement, and voice. If it's a musical, they learn to be a triple threat. They learn to sing, dance and act all at the same time and equally well. Children get mentored by professional actors and directors. They really get an apprenticeship."

The theater, which emphasizes diversity and accessibility for all, mixes inner city children with suburban. "We've also had deaf teens and kids in wheelchairs who have taken the lead role," said Bay.

The theater, which holds classes and performances at Wheelock College, draws children, ages 6 to 17, from the MetroWest, including Framingham and Natick.

There is a scope and sequence to the training. "Students go from a beginning performer to a polished performer," said Bay.

The theater has three productions during the year. In the fall, they will perform "To Kill a Mocking Bird," "Peter Pan the Musical" in the winter and in the spring, "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse."

Lisa Korak, owner of The Next Stage, offers a slightly different approach. She presents theater workshops on subjects such as preparing for an audition. She also brings workshops to the children in schools, community centers, and Girl Scouts and teaches private lessons at her home in Framingham.

Korak has met with students in pairs interested in improving their acting skills.

"So they can do scene work together and understand how to work as a team on the stage," she said.

Korak has held birthday parties for children who want to play improv games, learn pantomime, and the art of playing different characters.

In school Korak helps students create a play from the book they are reading to help students learn to analyze the text of the story.

"They act out the story, which helps them in their reading process," said Korak.

At the Performing Arts Center of MetroWest (PAC), "Everyone gets featured in some way," according to its musical director, choreographer, and director, Betsy Fishman. "It's not something you have to audition for. We are a very welcoming and nurturing environment. We want everyone to try something new."

Students at the downtown Framingham theater — located at the Danforth Museum — learn to put together a full show with singing, dancing and acting.

"They work a lot on creating their characters," Fishman said. "They have a chance to take risks, go beyond their comfort zone and create a fabulous show. They really get a chance to bring out what's inside of them — that often parents are the only ones to see."

PAC, which has been in business for 25 years, offers programs for eight weeks every summer. For each of the first five weeks students entering grades 2 through 7, learn theater, music, and dance of a Broadway show such as "Wicked," "The Lion King," and Grease." The last production of the season, Disney's "High School Musical," ends today.

For students entering 4th through 9th grade, PAC also has a larger scale production beginning Aug. 6. During the three weeks, students get cast for "High School Musical," performed at the Framingham Civic League, which is open to the public.

Not fully cast, PAC is still looking for two middle school age boys to take part in that production. Otherwise it's sold out.

"It's a really fun environment, that's the first rule of PAC,' said Fishman. "It gives them a chance to enjoy themselves as they express themselves through theater. Every kid learns something about himself through the character they play."

During the school year PAC offers private instrument and voice lessons and classes in theater, music, and dance.

Performing Arts Connection of Sudbury is currently rehearsing for "Seussical," scheduled from Aug. 17 to 26. "Aladdin Jr." will show in March.

"We have two companies where we do classes, training workshops, and summer programs - anything involved in training for youth performances as well as adults," said Samantha Hammel, owner of the Performing Arts Connection of Sudbury.

The Connection does two youth musicals a year and all students get to be in play. "The Enchantment of Beauty and the Beast," is scheduled for Nov. 18, with rehearsals starting in September.

On Saturdays, Grades 2, 3, and 4, meet from noon to 3 and grades 5 through 8 meet from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.

The slogan of the Performance Arts Connection: "where everyone gets to be in the limelight.

"They're always working," said Hammel. "If they're not learning choreography, they are rehearsing a scene or learning their music. Students put on the entire show. They take direction, learn music and become immersed in the play and hone their skills and learn new ones."

The Performance Arts Connection also offers classes where students learn new techniques.

At the end of each semester we have a mini showcase for friends and family.

(Kathy Uek can be reached at 508-626-4419 or kuek@cnc.com.)


The lowdown on local theater

WESTON DRAMA WORKSHOP
The fee for the morning program is $550 and $350 for the evening.
Students can register at the Web site: www.westondramaws.org, or call Sue Ryan, executive producer at 781-893-1896.

WHEELOCK FAMILY THEATER
There is no performance fee for the students. There is a $225 charge for the nine week classes the theater offers all year round. Partial scholarships are also available.
Children sign up by calling 617-879-2252 or 617-879-2235 or visit www.wheelock.edu/wft.

NEXT STAGE
For more information visit www.thenextstageworkshops.com or call 617-292-7713.

PAC
Fees for the workshops at the fully accredited arts school range from $225 through $260, depending on sibling discounts and early registration specials.
For more information visit www.PACmetrowest.org or call 508-875-5554.

PERFORMANCE ARTS CONNECTION
The fee for the youth musicals is $320 which includes 30 hours of rehearsal, your costume, training from the instructors and an opportunity to have a real part in a show with lines and dialogue.
For more information, visit performingartsconnection.com or call 978-443-2400.