Southeast Missouri State Universitys River Campus announces rescheduled dates for youth to participate in a summer youth theatre workshop producing Disneys 101 Dalmatians KIDS as part of its 2020 River Campus Summer Arts Festival.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the workshop is now scheduled for July 20-Aug. 9. Students will participate in all-day acting workshops and rehearsals. The workshop gives students opportunities to discover both backstage and onstage elements of putting on a show. They will experience costume fittings, music rehearsals, dance rehearsals, acting lessons, working with properties, working with microphones and more.
Rehearsals are scheduled for July 21-31. Performances of Disneys 101 Dalmatians KIDS will follow with an opening scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 7. Additional performances are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Aug. 8 and 2 p.m. on Aug. 9.
Based on the classic animated film, Disneys 101 Dalmatians KIDS is a fur-raising adventure featuring Cruella De Vil, Disneys most outrageous villain, and 101 of the most adorable heroes to set their paws onstage. This stage adaptation is certain to charm and delight all audiences. Pet owners, Roger and Anita, live happily in London with their Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, stalwart dogs devoted to raising their puppies. Everything is quiet until Anitas former classmate, the monstrous Cruella De Vil, plots to steal the puppies for her new fur coat. The Dalmatians rally all the dogs of London for a daring rescue of the puppies from Cruella and her bumbling henchmen.
Children in this workshop are given a hands-on, unique opportunity that closely parallels the college theatre experience, says Rhonda Weller-Stilson, dean of Southeasts Holland College of Arts and Media. They are treated like all of our actors in the Summer Arts Festival company. Performers are taught not only acting techniques, but rehearsal expectations, performance protocols and work with professional staff and faculty backstage.
Limited workshop space is available for 20 workshop attendees. Cost is $375, which assists in covering expenses of costumes, props, royalties, snacks, T-shirts and staff. The summer experience runs from July 20-Aug. 9.
Youth will play all the parts in the 101 Dalmatians KIDS production, and workshop spaces fill quickly. When slots are filled, the workshop will be closed.
Every year the children in these workshops amaze me, they are so animated and talented, said Weller-Stilson. Last summers The Aristocats Kids was a big hit with the audiences. We look forward to seeing this years cast.
Roles are for actors ages 8 to 14. Actors will be in rehearsal and costume fittings both mornings and afternoons until the week of tech rehearsals. At that time, some night commitments will be required.
Register online atapp.semo.edu/sfs/pymt/svpa, or for more information, call Theresa Messmer at (573) 651-2210 or email tmessmer@semo.edu.