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Curtain rises on new children’s theater program

By Mike Hodgson/Associate Editor/mhodgson@theadobepress.com

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Theater summer campers rehearse their upcoming production of “Aladdin Jr.” at the Nipomo Dance Studio. Nipomo High School graduate Selyn Barrette, now a student at Cal Poly, is conducting a summer theater camp for children as her senior project.//Bryan Walton/Staff

Nipomo children are getting a taste of the stage this summer through a new program created by a Nipomo High School graduate now majoring in theater at Cal Poly.

Selyn Barrette, who graduated NHS in 2005, is leading a group of 14 students through the entire process of staging a musical as her senior project.

At the culmination of the three-month summer theater camp, her budding thespians will stage “Aladdin Jr.” in a single performance Aug. 15 at Nipomo High — unless more children sign up.

Barrette said if she can get enough additional participants, another performance could be added.

“We have 14 (students) now,” she said during a break in rehearsals Monday. “It would be nice to get 20 to 25 for a full cast. But what we have now is manageable for a performance.”

The program, offered through Nipomo Recreation Association, is believed to be the first of its kind in the area, said Becky Crowe, association executive director.

“It’s also the cheapest

theater program camp around,” Crowe added.

Open to students entering third through ninth grades, the Children’s Summer Theatre covers “every aspect of what it takes to put on a full-blown musical,” Barrette said.

“Music, dance, choreography, blocking — every little bit,” she said. “Nothing is held back.”

Barrette, 21, said while many Cal Poly students do their senior projects in the San Luis Obispo area, she has strong ties to her hometown as well as her chosen future profession.

She performed in drama productions at Nipomo High School, where her mother is the head costumer, and she spent two years teaching dance and improvisation classes for Nipomo Recreation. So she decided to make her project benefit her hometown.

“Not only is the program a great idea to start here in Nipomo, but it’s good to work with all the talent we have here in the younger crowd,” she said.

“I think getting kids active in theater arts — which is kind of dying out in the schools with all the budget cuts — and trying to keep it alive and functioning here in Nipomo is important,” Barrette said.

The children learn about theater and rehearse their play for three hours two days a week, and Barrette agrees with Crowe that the program — at $150 — is the least expensive summer theater program in the area.

“I did a lot of research,” Barrette said, noting most summer theater programs range from $200 to $300 for a week or two. “For what they’re getting, it’s a very reasonable cost.”

Some of Barrette’s students have theater experience; for others, the experience is all new.

“I felt it would be fun to play with new people and meet new people,” said Gwen Menane, 10, a Dana Elementary School student who is new to theater and plays Iago, the parrot. “I thought I’d try something different.”

Rachel Moore, 12, who will attend Mesa Middle School next year, is among those with experience and will play one of the lead roles — Jasmine, the princess in search of her true love.

Although she’s been in “many plays and dance shows,” she said the Children’s Summer Theatre is different.

“It’s different because the teacher is really good ... and she’s taught me a lot of things I didn’t know,” Rachel said.

Mesa Middle School student Nieko Lopez at age 13 already has been involved in theater for eight years. He’ll play the title role as the new prince who captures Jasmine’s heart.

“A lot of kids do basketball and stuff, but it’s 10 times funner to do drama,” Nieko said. “It does cost, but it’s worth it.”

July 3, 2009