Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
WHALE OF A TALE — Acelia Kelly, left, and Carissa Michaud act out a scene April 26 during the Star Bright Children’s Theatre presentation of “Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate.”
By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
HOULTON — How does one celebrate 45 years of bringing childrens’ stage productions to life? By doubling the number of shows, that’s how.
This year the Houlton Star Bright Children’s Theatre staged two separate plays because of the sheer number of youngsters wanting to participate.
“The double feature of “Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate” and “Blather, Blarney and Balderdash” was a tremendous success and wouldn’t have been possible without an overwhelming amount of work by the volunteer directors and assistant directors: Pam Chernesky, Barbara Hogan, Ann Barnes, Susan McMann, Mary Miller and Shiloh Shaw along with the rest of the Star Bright Children’s Theatre board members and many generous parents and other community members who donated so freely of their time to help bring the plays to life,” said Frank Sullivan, spokesperson for the theatre. “The children of Houlton are very fortunate to have the opportunity to be involved with every aspect of live theater, especially at such an early age, and to have such a supportive community that appreciates all of the hard work that goes into creating our live theater productions for the past 45 years.
“Being able to perform on the Community Arts Center stage, with professional lights and sound, along with original, hand-crafted costumes, sets and props, enables to children to have an authentic live theater experience and gives the audience an opportunity to experience a wonderful show,” he continued. “We had a great mix of seasoned Children’s Theatre veterans and new participants and it was, as it is every year, a joy to watch them all work together as a team, develop self confidence, share their creativity and make new friends.”
The decision to produce two plays this year was prompted by the unusually large number of children, more than 60, who turned up for auditions this past January,” said Sullivan. The casts for both plays include a total of 68 children who have been rehearsing since early February. Children are involved in all aspects of bringing the plays to the stage, including set, prop and costume design, stage management, lighting and sound and makeup.
Featuring an evening filled with “leprechauns, rainbows and pots of gold, pirates and mermaids and oceans cold” the stage of Houlton’s Community Arts Center came to life April 26 and 27 with the productions of “Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate,” by D. M. Larson and “Blather, Blarney, and Balderdash” by Patrick Rainville Dorn.
Cast members for “Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate” include Ellie Grant, Mariah Peterson, Anna Hogan, Kayleigh McNinch, Grace Kafferlin, Natalie DeLucca, Eden Davis, Riley Sylvain, Emalee Collins, Carissa Michaud, Acelia Kelly, Launa Jay, Hailey Quint, Blythe Gowan, Riley Sylvain, Gage Bartlett, Desirea Wardwell, Adrianna Kelley, Grace Langley, Madison Marino, Kalie Bither, Skylie Bartlett, Ella Crockett and Abby Swallow.
Cast members for “Blather, Blarney, and Balderdash” include Sam Ellis, Kelsey Sewell, Theresa Ouellette, Elizabeth Phillips, Cassie Shaw, Bethany Tabb, Robert Pelton, Maddie Grant, Keaton Michael, Sidney Peabody, Isabel Cyr, Ellie Grant, Karlee Brisley, Hope Chernesky, Jordan Farnham, Sara Howland, Alyssa Peabody, Damien Sullivan, Rothery Sullivan, Quinn White, Kamrynn Murray, Sydney Ellis, Raveena Angotti, Joseph Spencer, Sydney Lorom, Brittany Hagan, Jacob Ouellette, Alisha Ouellette, Mackenzie Campbell, Debbie Nichols, Grace Violette and Bethany Tabb.
The Houlton Star Bright Children’s Theatre, founded in 1969 by students at Ricker College, is one of the oldest community children’s theatres in the country and offers live theater for and by children to the Greater Houlton area. The Theatre is a non-profit organization supported by generous volunteer help and community donations.
For more information contact: Sullivan at 538-9416 or by e-mail at frank@rainbarrow.net.
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| Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr YIKES — “Scummy” the pirate (Anna Hogan), left, grabs onto “Peggy” (Mariah Peterson) in the production of “Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate.” |
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr STORY TELLER — Ellie Grant portrays “Margaret” as her father, Fred Grant, plays her on-stage father in “Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate.” |
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| Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr AHOY! — Performing as pirates on stage are, from left, Desirea Wardwell as Cryin’ Clara, Skylie Bartlett as Lazy Lucy and Grace Kafferlin as Sue the Smelly, in “Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate.” |
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr A BIT O IRISH — Acting out a skit in “Blather, Blarney and Balderdash” are, from left, Theresa Ouellette as Blarney, Elizabeth Philips as Balderdash, Sam Ellis as Fin, and Kelsey Sewell as Blather. |
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| Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr ARRGH! — Captain Sludge (Natalie DeLucca), left and Captain Soggy (Eden Davis) perform in “Peggy the Pint Sized Pirate.” |
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr ROW — Joseph Spencer, left, plays the character Aidan with Kamrynn Murray as the Boatman in “Blather, Blarney and Balderdash.” Holding up the sign in back is Mackenzie Campbell. |
