Two summer theatrical productions reach out to young people in Jackson County.
The Starbursts Children’s Theater is for students from Kindergarten to Grade 7. They are to perform a large-scale version of the classic “Peter Pan”.
The Rising Stars Youth Theater is for students from the seventh grade up to the age of 21. They perform “Anonymous Tragedians: Shakespeare’s Tragic Characters in Therapy … Virtually.” “
Both productions are created and continued by the Jackson County Players.
The children’s theater program has been active for more than a decade, according to Doug Torres, president of Jackson County Players and director of plays.
“It’s a great opportunity for young people to take part in a production,” Torres said. “It includes acting roles on stage as well as backstage roles. It doesn’t cost a thing to participate.
“Peter Pan” is the timeless story of a young boy who can fly and never grows, by JM Barrie. This widely distributed version was adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller.
The children’s theater rehearsals are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in June at the Théâtre Alpin. The screenings are at 6 p.m. on Thursday June 24 and Tuesday June 29 at the Théâtre Alpin.
“Tragedians Anonymous” is a light look at four of Shakespeare’s memorable characters. In this room, they are forced to stay locked up with a support group.
“It’s a chance to do Shakespeare, but in today’s language,” said Torres, a music education major with a background in theater at West Liberty University.
Rehearsals for the youth theater take place from 4 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays in June at the Théâtre Alpin. The performance is at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 29, at the Théâtre Alpin.
To register or for information, call Doug Torres at 304-532-0940, email dougtorres14@gmail.com or contact Doug via Facebook Messenger.
