Big Five Arts Column

All over the country schools are in their final push to ensure students have met standards and learned important life lessons.  The summer season will soon be upon us!  At ARIEL Theatrical Miss Nelson, Principal Blandsworth, Viola Swamp and the kids of Room 309 are pushing forward to learn their own life lessons. Tonight at 7:00 and tomorrow at 2:00 and at 7:00 the colorful and comic characters of MISS NELSON HAS A FIELD DAY will demonstrate that hard work, practice and dedication can make a world of difference!

One of ARIEL’s guiding principles is “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” As part of the Miss Nelson Experience and with the support of Mbaykids, students in Monterey County were invited to nominate their teachers for an “Important to Be Nice” Award. From the many teachers nominated Jacqueline Bartlett, 6^th Grade Teacher at Buena Vista Middle School (nominated by Mariah O’Grady) and Sharon Nelson, Counselor at Laurel Wood Elementary School (nominated by Evan Liddle) were selected and honored on May 1 and May 8. Lisa Parker, 3^rd Grade Teacher at Toro Park Elementary School (nominated by Hailey Sjoblom & Cole Burk) will be honored during the evening performance on May 15. The “Important to Be Nice” award includes a gift basket provided by The Chocolate Dipper and a commemorative plaque.

While many young people are dreaming of beaches and theme parks, 250 eager participants will be preparing for a summer of concentrated effort and growth at the Wilson Children’s Theatre.  They will be picking up scripts, paint brushes, dancing shoes, and colorful costumes in order to assist behind the scenes or perform for audiences as part of the workshops and conservatory programs at ARIEL Theatrical.

Meanwhile the Spring Conservatory production of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK is coming in a new and exciting way!  After an overwhelming response of children hoping to participate, ARIEL staff began brainstorming ideas that would enable as many of these enthusiastic youngsters to be part of the production as possible. Carefully examining the existing program commitments, the possibility of offering two distinct productions of this exciting and lively fairytale musical came up as a delightful solution.

As a result, the Fairy Tale cast of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK began rehearsals on April 26 and will continue through their performance dates of June 4 and June 5.  The Story Time cast began rehearsals a week later and will continue rehearsing through their performance dates of June 11 and June 12.  Participants will share sets, director, and production values; but each cast will have its own distinctive costumes, parent volunteers, and character interpretations. By sharing the logistical resources available ARIEL Theatrical will be able to provide this learning opportunity to over seventy performers where once our program was limited to thirty-five!

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK is a new ARIEL production and part of the “show in a box” program that allows us to conserve our resources and maximize their potential.  As new productions are included in the performance catalog of shows, meticulous notes are created for future reference.  Costume choices are noted and put away for the future. Sets are constructed that store easily and can be reassembled when the show is brought “out of the box” to support a new cast of children.

A rotating catalog of shows that promote thoughtful consideration of values and encourages commitment to community participation is the foundation of ARIEL’s mission.  The organization is committed “to use the art and discipline of theatre to help young people develop the skills and confidence they need to positively direct their own lives.”

Summer programs are filling quickly, but still taking reservations. One-week summer workshops with unique experiences in drama, dance and music begin June 14. A production of the musical PETER PAN in a three-week conservatory setting commences July 12.  And the exciting Andrew Lloyd Weber Musical, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT with a large cast and chorus is in pre-production mode and accepting registration. To reserve a place for your child or to volunteer call the Wilson Children’s Theatre at 831-775-0976.