Junior thespians

March 25, 2005

CASEY RESSLER/Frontiersman Valley Life Editor

What do you get when you take 12 young students, throw in some acting lessons and some music and then put them in front of a couple hundred people? You get Godspell Junior, which opens tonight at Machetanz Theatre.

Godspell Junior is Valley Performing Arts' annual children's theater production. VPA offers one children's production every year during the regular season, and a youth summer camp during the off-season.

The musical brings together 12 Valley students, several of which have never acted before, under the direction of Aurora Pease.

While several of the actors have been on stage before, through VPA or their schools, many are making their debut.

"It's challenging. I've always been in choir, but I thought this would be cool to do it because my brother is doing it, too," said Eli Graber, whose older brother, Sawyer, is also part of the cast.

Having a children's production makes it a little easier for students to get involved in theater, which can be intimidating, particularly to that age group.

"We've all become friends and we are having fun," said Kitty Mahoney. "And when you are having fun, you do better on stage."

Emily Jones is another first-timer who is enjoying her initial taste of theater through Godspell Junior.

She said she couldn't figure out what she wanted to do with extra-curricular activities, but she's glad she found theater.

"I was playing basketball, and I do a lot of other sports. I quit basketball because it wasn't cutting it for me. Me and my mom know Aurora's mom, and one day we were checking out books about acting and Aurora's mom was talking to my mom and said about the auditions for Godspell Junior," Jones said.

Getting involved with acting is one thing, but getting involved with a musical is another. It takes a certain kind of student to get up on stage and sing and dance for the audience, and the 12 students who make up the Godspell Junior cast fit the bill, Pease said.

"The music is very upbeat, very cool," said Troy Moore. "I think when it's cool music, it makes it easier."

As the moment the curtain rises for the first time approaches, the students said that nerves are a natural thing.

"I'm nervous but I'm really excited," said Arianah Valdez. "I keep thinking, 'Wow, I'm going to be up there on stage in front of everyone.'"

That kind of excitement is shared among the cast.

"A musical is way more challenging, but it's way more exciting," said Amber Acton. "I'm definitely excited."

The 12-person cast includes Sawyer Graber, Emily Trimp, Katherine Hanson, Kelsey Peterson, Troy Moore, Eli Graber, Emily Jones, Jessica Wetherell, Arianah Valdez, Amber Acton, Chelsea Jones and Kitty Mahoney.

The production opens tonight at 8 p.m. and runs through April 10 at Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla.

All Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinee productions begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the VPA box office or at CARRS TIX outlets.