A germaphobe, a farmer and a dancer walk into a party — kids at the Children’s Summer Theater Workshop Wednesday practiced as those and other characters during an acting exercise. NO ONE in the workshop is judged for making funny faces or rolling on the ground when performing. Enthusiasm is welcome and that is what Allie Utley likes about the workshop.
The exercise is pretty simple. The workshop kids knock on a pretend door on the stage and greet the host of the party. The host then welcomes the guests into his or her party (the stage) and tries to figure out who the guest is without being told.
During the exercise the kids took turns playing different characters.
“It’s similar to the party game on ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway,’” Susan Raines, workshop director, said.
Raines has been in charge of the workshop for 15 years, which this year has elementary age kids attending the workshop from 8 to 10 a.m. and those in middle school from 10 a.m. to noon.
Former Children’s Theater Workshop students now in high school help run the workshop.
“My favorite part is you don’t feel stupid when you do something crazy,” Utley, a third-year member, said. “It’s a good environment for kids to be in.”
A fourth-year participant, Zach Cokely, also enjoys the atmosphere and that is why he keeps coming back.
“I’ve always been a theater person,” Cokely said. “I like how the environment is loose and really fun.”
For some veteran members being able to act with their friends is what makes the workshop so great.
“This is a fun place to be with my friends and to act,” said Ella Taylor, a fourth-year member.
The kids will continue practicing this week and next. On June 22 workshop participants will perform at the warehouse.
The world’s a stage Workshop lets kids ‘act out’
