LIHU‘E — Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre is celebrating its 10th Summer Stars anniversary with an action-packed line-up of programs, states a press release. Under the direction of HCT veteran Jennifer Downs, each program offers stimulating work and multiple-performance opportunities. With a
LIHU‘E — Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre is celebrating its 10th Summer Stars anniversary with an action-packed line-up of programs, states a press release.
Under the direction of HCT veteran Jennifer Downs, each program offers stimulating work and multiple-performance opportunities. With a returning staff of theater professionals, plus workshop leaders who represent the top artists and educators in their fields, this landmark summer promises to be the best yet, she said in the release.
Regular program registration is open to any age-appropriate young person on Kaua‘i regardless of experience, on a first-come first-serve basis. Scholarship money is available.
HCT offers three distinct programs.
— The Art of Acting and Theatre program encourages confidence by building theatre skills with the mission of changing children’s lives through the arts. This program utilizes drama activities to focus the bold, outspoken child and to draw out the quiet child or the inarticulate child and help them reach into themselves and discover their full potential. Students experiment with the building blocks of performance through pantomime, improvisation, ensemble work, movement and character development. These classes include scene-analysis, vocal training, dance lab, video, set design and construction. The gala showcase performance at the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center includes staff performances and a silent auction. Eligible ages are 8 to 16. The program runs June 8 to July 8 weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Tuition is $300, and participants must also sell tickets for the performance.
— The Art of Performance will focus on the production of Disney’s “Mulan Junior.” Students will travel back to the legendary, storytelling days of ancient China with this action-packed stage adaptation. Unlike other Disney female characters, Mulan is a strong young woman who ultimately saves her country. Mulan is a young woman in feudal China at the time of the Hun invasion who steals her father’s armor to pretend to be Ping, a teen eager to defend his country.
Eligible ages are 8 to 16. The program runs June 8 to July 8 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Program performances are July 9, 10 and 11. Tuition is $350, and participants must sell tickets for performances. Directors are Downs and Maile Speetjens.
Students have the opportunity to join either session, or both if they choose. Tuition for enrolling in both of the above programs is $600. Financial assistance is available.
The third program, new in 2010, is in direct response to the growing number of older HCT students and alumni. Summer Stars will offer its first evening program that will culminate in the production of Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer-prize winning Broadway musical “Rent,” which is loosely based on Puccini’s opera “La Bohème.” It follows a year in the lives of seven friends living the disappearing Bohemian lifestyle in New York’s East Village. By audition only, age requirement, over 17. Program dates are June 1 to July 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. weekdays. Show dates are July 22 to 30 and Aug. 1 at the Kaua‘i Alliance for the Performing Arts KAPA warehouse theater in Puhi. There is no tuition fee.
Auditions are May 28, 29 and 30. For more information e-mail jenniferkate@hotmail.com; visit hawaiichildrenstheatre@hotmail.com or call 246-8985.
