Press Release

 

 

Willamette Children’s Theater, under the direction of Mike Martin and Larry Harris, celebrates its 10^th year of providing quality children’s musical theater at the Majestic Theater.  Each summer, a cast of 60 young people, ages 8 to 14, have confidently mounted the stage at the Majestic Theater to move, sing and act in full-length musicals written by directors, Larry Harris and Mike Martin.   Mike and Larry carefully craft each musical to insure that each and every actor is fully involved from the first practice to the last curtain call.   Parents consistently report that their children look forward to participating in the WCT productions and view the experience as one of the highlights of their year.

 

Mike and Larry are joined each summer by a talented staff.  Joline Woods returns for the ninth year as costumer, historian and Assistant Director.  Beth Pentland is returning for the second year as choreographer.  We are especially pleased to have Beth back on the staff.  She has the ability and the positive energy to design movement pieces that help young actors look good on stage and feel successful inside.  Another indispensable person who works closely with the staff is Phil Macbeth.  Phil is the Technical Director at the Majestic Theater.  Phil designs lighting; helps build sets and works diligently behind the scenes to insure that the show looks great and, above all, to insure that everything is done safely. 

 

This year, WCT is proud to present, Robin Hood!  As in past productions, audiences have come to expect that this will be no ordinary retelling of a familiar story.  And they won’t be disappointed!  The story starts with a mother reading the Robin Hood story to her two children and the family dog. The large, shaggy dog listens intently as the story winds its way to a very unsatisfactory ending.  The dog enters the story to save Robin and change the ending of the story.  What transpires is one of the funniest musicals ever written.  At one point, the dog takes the place of Maid Marion in a bedroom scene in which Prince John tries to woo the beautiful Lady Marion only to find out that she has a very wet nose and very bad breath!  And then there is Lady Marion’s handmaiden who always speaks in rhyme; a French executioner named Jacque and a host of equally colorful characters.  Mike and Larry consider, Robin Hood, their funniest musical yet.  It’s a show you won’t want to miss.

 

Young actors between the ages of 8 and 14 may audition to be in this summer’s camp.  Auditions will take place on May 5^th at 6:00pm at the Majestic Theater.  After an introduction of the staff, young people will audition in one of three locations within the theater.  The youngest children, ages 8 and 9, will audition in the Concession Area. The oldest group, 12 – 14 will audition on the stage.  And the 10-11 year olds will audition in one of the upstairs rehearsal rooms.  All young people who audition will be asked to read from a short dialogue from the play and sing a song of their choice.  More information about how to prepare for auditions as well as the dialogue for the audition can be found on the WCT website.   

 

The Summer Camp begins each year right after school lets out for the summer.  This year, the camp dates are: June 16^th through the 21^st and June 23 through the 28^th.  The camp starts each day promptly at 9:00 am and ends at noon.  Some afternoon sessions are scheduled after the first couple of days.  Parents receive 4 newsletters during the course of the camp.  Each actor “builds” his or her own costume.  Joline Woods shares tips on building simple costumes without spending hardly any money.  The camp culminates in three public performances, which are almost always sold-out.  There will be two evening performances on June 27^th and 28^th and one matinee performance on the 28^th.  After the last performance each actor will receive a special award at the “Academy Awards”.  Cost of the camp this year is $110 per actor.  There are a limited number of scholarships available.