LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which  distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming.  (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)

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Daily Sitka Sentinel

Sitka's Young Performers Prepare for Two Plays

By SHANNON HAUGLAND

Sentinel Staff Writer

Sitka Fine Arts Camp is kicking off its Young Performers Theater season this year with a popular Broadway musical and an original work by the theater group’s director.

Classes begin next week, and Director Zeke Blackwell is hoping for a few more signups to be able to fill the cast for the musical “Matilda.”

“It’s been a show I’ve loved for quite some time and that I thought would be a good fit for YPT,” Blackwell said.

The theater program produces two plays in semester-long classes for grades two through six; and grades seven through 12. A theater tech class is offered for those in grade six and up, taught by SFAC tech director Elle Campbell.

“Matilda” is the Tony award-winning musical that ran for four years on Broadway. It’s based on the book of the same name by Roald Dahl and is one of the most oft-produced musicals for high schools in the U.S.

Blackwell said he was drawn to the story’s theme of “love overcoming hardship,” and thought it would be a good fit for his regular troupe of actors.  

“Looking at ‘James and the Giant Peach’ (produced last semester) I thought it would be a good time to do it – (‘Matilda’) has tons of roles, which is something I’m always excited about,” he said. “Most of the roles have a lot of things to do.”

SFAC restructured the YPT program last fall as a semester class, one for older kids (grades seven to 12) and one for younger (grades two to six). The production of a play was a major part of the classes but the kids did other theater work, such as improv, during the rest of the semester.

Last fall’s and winter’s productions were the play “A Wrinkle in Time” for the older kids and the musical “James and the Giant Peach” for the younger ones. Both drew good participation levels from actors and were well attended at performances.

The continued popularity of the program under the new structure and requests from students prompted the staff to select “Matilda,” for the older kids. It’s an ambitious undertaking, given the size of the show, which has a minimum cast of 21. The directors of the show, including music director Hannah Cummiskey and vocal coach Rhiannon Guevin, agreed the play should be staged at the Performing Arts Center.

The younger kids will put on Blackwell’s “Ghost Writer” at the YPT home base in Odess Theater. Signups for this program have been going well, Blackwell said.

With classes set to start in a few days, Blackwell is still hoping enough older kids sign up to stage the large musical, but he has a backup plan in the works if that doesn’t happen, so the class can still be offered and a play produced.

Blackwell said he doesn’t know why signups are slower this year for the older age group.

The new structure of YPT is a firm commitment for a semester, requiring kids to choose between activities. New this semester also is a requirement for vaccination for those ages 12 and up, which might have affected signups for a few in the older age group, Blackwell said.

“Due to the intimate nature of the activity, in line with guidance from the CDC and local health officials, we’re requiring vaccination for 12 and up,” Blackwell said.

The younger age group is signing up as usual and Blackwell is looking forward to working with them on his original play in addition to furthering their theater skills. There are still openings for this as well as the tech theater class.

Describing the plot of “Ghost Writers,” Blackwell said, “It’s a group of pre-teen paranormal investigators who are investigating a haunted library. It’s a comedy with spooky elements, scary stories and ghosts. But it’s lighthearted and comedic.”

As to the structure of the YPT program, Blackwell and others were pleased with results last semester, giving parents, kids and staff a consistent schedule instead of a varying schedule around putting on a show.

“We were able to pace the building of the show rather than a crazy rush to get it done in a set period of time,” Blackwell said. “It was nice to have time after the show to reflect on performances and talk about it, and do theater scenes outside the play. It broadens the theatrical experience.”

Schedules and signups are at fineartscamp.org. Those with questions can contact zeke@fineartscamp.org.

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20 YEARS AGO

March 2004

Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.

50 YEARS AGO

March 1974

Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.

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