The Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre is celebrating its twelfth year teaching the performing arts to Kaua‘i students ages 7 to 20. In addition to the full-scale productions, summer students have a full course of classes they attend the week prior to
The Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre is celebrating its twelfth year teaching the performing arts to Kaua‘i students ages 7 to 20.
In addition to the full-scale productions, summer students have a full course of classes they attend the week prior to the program including music, movement, acting, technical theatre and set production.
With a strong emphasis on skills and performance, the program has produced many students who went on to college and studied the performing arts. One of those students, Jennifer Downs, is the artistic director for the fourth consecutive year.
Downs selected an adapted stage musical “Into the Woods” for the program. The multiple Tony winning musical opens with a baker and his wife learning they’ve been cursed with childlessness by the witch next door. They embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell.
The play is open to students in seventh grade and older. The six-week program is scheduled to begin June 9 with classes from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Performances run from July 17 to 20.
Another HCT alumnus, Maile Speetjens, has worked in the summer stars program for seven years. She started as an HCT intern while still in high school and has been an instructor for the past three years.
This year she will again take the role of assistant director and guide students on a musical journey into Disney’s “The AristoCats.” This is a five-week morning program from 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday and runs June 9 to July 13.
During the first week of both programs students will be immersed in the theatre arts. In this week of classes, new students will be taught the basics, while veteran students will learn advanced techniques in acting, singing and dancing. This week is required for students enrolling in the “production” portion of summer stars.
It will also be available to 20 extra students who are not participating in the shows as a one-week theater workshop for $125 tuition.
Both productions will be performed at the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center. Tickets for “Into The Woods Jr.” are $10 and “The AristoCats” are $8.
Tuition for “Into The Woods Jr.” is $375 plus ticket and ad sale requirements. “The AristoCats” tuition is $325 plus ticket and ad sale requirements.
Financial assistance is available for both programs. Sign up soon to ensure placement. For more information, log onto hawaiichildrenstheatre.com or call 246-8985.
