SPEARFISH, SD
The Matthews Opera House welcomes young performers to the stage this summer as they open registration for their annual theater camp, the Froelich Young Actors Guild. The Actors Guild offers two age-appropriate sessions: an afternoon session for children entering 2nd – 6th grade and a morning session for those entering 7th – 12th grade.
The camp begins Wednesday, May 31 and offers three weeks of hands-on instruction in theater skills such as characterization, movement, and projection. The lessons culminate in performances on June 23 – 25 with specific dates designated to both age groups.
Returning Matthews director, Elysia Pederson will lead “Aesop’s Fables Redux,” a comedy by Susan Pennington, intended for children entering 2nd- through 6th-grade. In the “Fables,” a witty narrator helps an inquisitive child understand some famous expressions by exploring Aesop’s beloved tales. The lessons behind these expressions are playfully illustrated through a series of the well-known stories, and brought to life by a variety of human and animal characters. These classic fables, such as The Boy Who Cried Wolf and The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg, provide a fresh, warm, and fun learning experience. The “Fables” will perform for the public on Sunday, June 25 at 2 pm.
For those entering 7th grade and above, Gabriella Hertz will direct the comedy “A Simpler Time,” by various playwrights including Jonathan Dorf and Don Zolidis. In this absurdly hiliarious script, nine real-life playwrights were challenged to find the funny and familiar in every era. The result is a collection of side-splitting ten-minute plays. Performers find themselves fighting with their friends on the night before the Constitution is due, listening in at a telephone switchboard in the 1940s, trying to avoid the more gruesome aspects of medieval times, and exploring a mysterious possible future. In this play, only one thing is certain: there’s humor in human nature. Audiences can see “A Simpler Time” on Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 25 at 7 pm.
“Summer is an exciting time, in large part due to our children’s theater camp,” says Casey S. Hibbert, the Matthews community engagement manager. “Part of our mission as an organization is to offer educational opportunities to the community. But this particular program brings us, personally, a lot of joy. The energy around the theater is contagious, and the whole space is full of laughter and constant activity.”
The Matthews is entering their 15th season of children’s theater programming. What began as “The Peanut Butter and Jelly Players” in 2008, transitioned into The Froelich Young Actors Guild in 2019, honoring long-time director and teacher Ann Froelich. Froelich dedicated herself to providing opportunities for children to express themselves creatively and participate in an activity with a life-long impact.
“Ann began our children’s theater programming with a deep belief in the benefits of theater and she has impacted an entire generation of kids through her vision,” explains Granaas. “Not only does theater fire up the imagination, but it also provides foundational life skills such as communication, empathy and teamwork. It teaches kids to work together toward a common goal, and at the same time, builds each individual’s confidence. Kids discover empathy by emulating characters that may be very different from themselves, they support their cast-mates and work through challenges in a group setting. Ann saw that and we are honored to continue the work she began.”
To participate in the 2023 Froelich Young Actors Guild, parents can find registration forms at matthewsopera.com or printed copies can be picked up from the Matthews’ gallery. Registration forms are due May 1. While a deposit of $50 is required to register, participants may elect to have the fee applied as a donation to ongoing programming at the Matthews or refunded at the completion of the camp.
For more information about the Froelich Young Actors Guild, the rehearsal schedule, the shows, or how to register, visit matthewsopera.com. The Matthews Opera House & Arts Center can also be contacted during business hours, Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm, at 605.642.7973.
