Youth theatre dream captivates volunteers seeking on-stage experience for young artists
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
For aspiring young actors and actresses in our community, there has been little in the way of a thespian experience aside from school and church programs to feed their creative inclinations upon a stage.
On Friday, John Slavich announced that funding had been approved by the Count Me In program to fund a youth theatre project at the Peabody Public Library. Funding was approved at the Thursday meeting of Count Me In, Slavich said.
A collaborative effort of several groups in the community who voiced an interest in seeing youth theatre as an opportunity in Whitley County, the grant will be used to fund a youth theater production for children in grades 4-12 later this summer at the library.
“It's really going to happen,” McCarthy said enthusiastically.
“Parents from the Story Exploration group, Faith Christian Academy and other groups in the community who see the library as a supporter of culture and the arts have asked if the Children's Department might sponsor such an effort,” McCarthy said.
Feeling uncertain about leading the project alone, McCarthy drew in others with an interest in theatre and in working with children. Count Me In grants are unique in that they fund efforts where adults work with children in skill-building, constructive ways, creating a bond of learning and trust.
Slavich explained that the Count Me In program is key. In addition to building upon the 40 developmental assets, the program shows young people that adults in the community, in addition to their parents and family, care about them and want them to succeed.
”I spoke with several people who expressed interest in youth theater, and this group developed a comprehensive plan that includes stage craft, crew work, props, costumes, sets, etc. and acting,” she said.
McCarthy will work closely with this group of volunteers as the production develops.
“I'm really excited to offer a quality theater program,” McCarthy said.
As more information is available, we will provide it here on Talk of the Town.