KEKAHA — The Kekaha Neighborhood Center is a place where a certain group of theatrical kids go to after school to release their creative energy. Keiki were dressing up to perform a medley of tunes from “Peter Pan,” “The Candyman”
KEKAHA — The Kekaha Neighborhood Center is a place where a certain group of theatrical kids go to after school to release their creative energy.
Keiki were dressing up to perform a medley of tunes from “Peter Pan,” “The Candyman” and even Janet Jackson.
Alissa Capuano left the dressing room to look into the mirror in the main room.
“This makes no sense,” she said as she pointed to the dressing room. “Why don’t we have a mirror in there?”
Leah Carr, who played Peter Pan, soon joined Capuano in front of the mirror.
“Wait till you see me with my hat on,” Carr said.
Director Kathie Waldman soon called for places. The kids all ran out and formed a line behind Carr. With the music cued, Carr began to sing “I Won’t Grow Up.” The group echoed behind her.
Waldman started this project of bringing the arts to Westside kids back in August as a “Summer Fun program,” appropriately dubbed Westside Story Players.
“We started out with just two kids,” she said. “Then we grew through word of mouth and we sent fliers to the schools. Now we have about 16 kids.”
She started a new batch of classes this past Monday.
“The turnout has been amazing, so we’re going to divide the classes up so they won’t be so crowded,” she said.
The kids range between 5 and 17 years old. The 5- to 7-year-olds rehearse on Mondays and Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The 8- to 12-year-olds rehearse Mondays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The new class of 13- to 17-year-olds meet Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Waldman’s goals are to participate in the Waimea holiday parade, to perform for local seniors and other public venues and, by next summer, to have taught enough theater workshops to do a full-length musical.
As the Players sang their final musical note of Peter Pan’s “I Won’t Grow Up,” Waldman cued up “The Candyman” and then the kicker, Janet Jackson.
“Where’s my attitude? Give me lots of attitude,” director Kathie Waldman said to the kids as they rearranged themselves.
She gave the count.
“And ready? Five, six, seven, go,” she said.
Jordan Lieb, who is new to the group, sat and watched. She signed up because she likes to dance.
“Back home in Mississippi, I used to take dance,” she said. “I had like seven classes. I like doing this type of stuff.”
Because the classes have been so popular, the neighborhood center is working on giving Waldman and the players more rehearsal time.
“Most of the kids are coming here after school so this will be ongoing,” Waldman said.
Waldman moved to Kaua‘i two years ago from Santa Ynez Valley, Calif. There she directed, produced and choreographed many musicals, including “Wizard of Oz” and “Oliver.”
For more information or to sign up for the Westside Story Players, contact Waldman at 337-2014.
