Bearden theatre is preparing for their fall musical The Music Man, which has a larger population of child actors participating than in previous years.
In past years, one or two young actors have been involved in major productions such as the Blue Grass Elementary student who portrayed young Fiona in Shrek. The most recent production that included a number of child actors was Les Miserables in 2016 when eight kids were involved.
The Music Man is out casting all past productions with 10 child actors. The roles of Winthrop and Emerelis have been double cast, allowing every scene they are in a different energy and character.
Due to the new cast members having school obligations, rehearsals have been created after school to account for the fact that most of the high school students practice during fourth block.
“When we sent out the information in the summer about the auditions, this is the rehearsal calendar,” director Mrs. Lauren Andrejko said. “You have to be able to commit to the calendar rehearsal-wise in order for you to audition.”
About 30% of her originally interested parties dropped from the audition after Mrs. Andrejko revealed the rehearsal calendar. Even after hearing the requirement, 58 students still tried out. The high school cast members have been adjusting to rehearsing with the child actors.
“It’s definitely made me feel a lot more wholesome and lighthearted [be]cause the last play I was in, I played in The Crucible, and that’s darker [and] more serious tone, so I’ve enjoyed having a more lighthearted character to play,” junior Luke Anderson said.
While the new schedule of rehearsals due to the addition of the elementary school kids has added practices for Bearden students, the logistics of backstage have had to change as well.
“They’re really professional, especially for that age, we have some as young as 6,” Mrs. Andrejko said. “Backstage, it’s definitely like herding cats. Some of us have to help with set changes, while others of us are trying to keep them from harm’s way.”
Despite being young and new to the high school theater experience, Mrs. Andrejko said she has been so impressed with how well they have conducted themselves.
“Sometimes my youth actors can even be a little bit more professional than my high school actors,” Mrs. Andrejko said.
The Music Man opens Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. with follow-up shows on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 12 at 2:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $12, and reserved seats are $15.