DCCA News: All the world’s a stage

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DCCA column

MD

Marilyn Delk <[email protected]>

Many advantages accrue to participants in theatrical productions. Participation in a true community effort where, if the performance is to be successful, each person involved has an equal part to play regardless of the size of their role teaches self-reliance while developing social skills and enhancing communication skills. Which is another way of saying that involvement in theatre helps people develop essential skills that can serve throughout a lifetime.

I’ve never understood how people who don’t know how to act manage to make it through life. Figuring out which role to play as you move from situation to situation, from one stage to another, requires introspection as one gains new knowledge and evolves; I know that, until I figure things out, I spend a lot of time “acting” as though I know what I’m doing. Shakespeare’s famous phrase “All the world’s a stage” has always seemed to me to be a basic necessary truth. The bard goes on to say “And all the men and women merely players; they have their exits and their entrances, And one man in time plays many parts.” Think of the ever-evolving roles you’ve played throughout your lifetime—son, daughter, husband, wife, father, mother plus many more, and you instantly realize the wisdom of Shakespeare’s quote.

Which brings us to Darke County Center for the Arts’ upcoming presentation of a week-long theatre residency at Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall by Missoula Children’s Theatre; the residency begins with open auditions from 10 a.m. until 12 noon on Monday, July 31 and closes with two performances of MCT’s Aladdin on Saturday, August 5 starring local first-through-twelfth grade students. MCT’s mission to develop lifeskills in children through participation in the performing arts has been successfully achieved in communities all over the world for more than forty years.

MCT’s little red truck will pull into our community with everything it takes to put on a play—costumes, set, props, make-up—except for the cast. Tour Actor/Directors preside over an extremely efficient and fun-filled audition, choosing around 60 youngsters who will attend daily intense rehearsals in preparation for the fully-realized performances at week’s end. During that time, youngsters not only learn lines, music, and choreography, but also lessons of group dynamics while working to excel as an individual, all the while having a really good time.

No advance preparation is necessary to audition, but listening closely to MCT’s Tour Actor/Directors is strongly advised. Those trying out should plan to stay for the full two hours; rehearsals will begin immediately following auditions and continue from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. each day throughout the week. A wide variety of roles are available including Aladdin and his Mother, Princess Dory and her father the Sultan, Scheherazade, Ali Baba, Sinbad and his Sailors, plus a stubborn Donkey, a spunky Goat, some mischievous Genies, and a pack of lost Penguins. Does that sound like fun, or what!

Many wonders ensue during the week of the residency; skilled actors mentor those who are new to the stage, shy children blossom with self-confidence, bullies learn compassion, and much more. However, whether or not you are directly involved in the show, you can participate in the wondrous culmination of the week’s work, the amazing performances of Aladdin at week’s end, which will take place at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are just $5, and will be available at the door.

To play a role in DCCA’s Missoula Children’s Theatre residency, contact DCCA at 937-547-0908 or [email protected]. To learn more about auditions or tickets, visit DCCA’s Website www.centerforarts.net.

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By Marilyn Delk

DCCA News

Marilyn Delk is a director of the Darke County Center for the Arts and can be reached at [email protected]. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.

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