Interview by Kira Cramer This month’s spotlight shines on Kendal Clifton, our musical director for our summer camp production of The Claw. Kendal worked closely with Megan Hicks for both sessions of campers, teaching them many songs about friendship and conquering fears. Kendal currently attends WSU and is studying Music Education. We are grateful to her for spending two weeks of her summer at The Merc with our young actors. Kendal and I found some time during rehearsals to talk about her theater experiences. Our conversation follows: Tell us about your past experience with theater. Kendal has been performing in plays and musicals from 3rd grade on, and she’s 19 now. She has been cast in ensemble and lead roles in musical and non-musical productions. Some of Kendal’s favorite roles are The Cat in The Hat, Seussical and as Maria in The Sound of Music. What excites you about live theater? Kendal shares that she is excited about participating in live theater because it is unique – much different from a movie-musical. While film production often has multiple takes, live theater is intimate; no matter what character you play, someone in the audience will make a connection. As an actor, she says that she enjoys portraying a character totally unlike who she is. Why is live theater important in a small community like the Methow Valley? Kendal doesn’t come from a super small community, but she believes that live theater gives everyone something to participate in. She says that it’s a way for kids to understand what a community can be, and that theater doesn’t always have to be competitive or like Broadway. Kendal continues that live theater is an important building block that helps community members, young and older, know each other in ways different from just knowing each other in a small community. Can you share a unique experience you have had in a theater setting… As an actor or director? Kendal responded that in junior high, she was the understudy for Peter Pan and had no idea what it was going to entail. She learned a lot when she shadowed the actor who was playing Peter Pan (she was cast as one of the Lost Boys.) The part taught her that it’s okay not to be the lead because she realized that everyone gets a turn and the role you are cast in is usually what’s best for you and the show. Kendal also shared that she choreographed the dances for Seussical with her friends in high school, noting that it was fun to be behind the scenes as well as on the stage. Kendal highly recommends getting some experience in any aspect of theater–on stage as well as backstage – because working in multiple areas of the theater teaches a variety of skills and helps you gain appreciation for all that goes into a production. What draws you to a particular script like The Claw? Kendal commented that she did not expect The Claw to address as many topics as it does. She noted the complexities of emotions in the music–friendship and navigating life choices, which can teach the actors as well as audience members valuable life lessons that she hopes stick with them. She comments further that good theater has something that everyone can relate to, and if she were to choose a script for a children’s show, it would definitely be uplifting. In a good script, she says, struggle is necessary so that there is a positive resolution. Kendal says that music is most important to her – she is a musician first and a thespian second. Music, she says, always amplifies the story. As a director, what do you hope to accomplish? Kendal’s first goal is for the kids to have a good time. It should be fun, they should feel safe, and learn something. Whether they pursue music or theater, it is a great experience to express yourself and work on a team. Sports are more pressure, but theater allows you to be yourself with less confinement. Kendal hopes the actors leave the camp with a sense of accomplishment, and if they get the message from the show, that’s great. If they have the songs stuck in their head, it might become their motto and that is powerful – “it’s the best day…” Anything else you would like to share? Kendal shares that The Merc Playhouse could be in a much bigger city and do just as well because of the quality of performance and talent. She further states that the Methow Valley community is so powerful with auditions happening during the week of camp. She loves that everyone seems to know and help each other out. Kendal also stated how amazing Megan Hicks is as a director, actress, dancer, and choreographer; she says that she has learned so much being in her productions and working with her. Kendal continues that Megan has thoroughly inspired her to become a teacher with her passion and creativity, and Kendal hopes to continue participating in theater’s many aspects. We are so fortunate to have Kendal as our Musical Director during camp weeks and hope she will be back to work with our Merc Playhouse campers in the future. Musical Theater Camp directed by Megan Hicks July 11th - 16th 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM with final performances of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, Kids Friday at 4:00 & Saturday at 2:00 Camp Registration is currently Full. Email to be placed on the waitlist. Calling all kids in 3rd grade through 8th grade! Musical Theater Camp focuses on all the skills necessary to participate in a musical production. Campers work on singing, dancing, acting, auditioning, character development, and theater discipline. Each day is filled with team building, theater games, educational sessions, and rehearsals that culminate in two final performances for the public at the end of the week. It is a fast-paced week that combines theater play with disciplined rehearsals to provide a well-rounded experience for all ages and experience levels. No prior experience necessary. Tuition: $250 $100 deposit due at registration, with the balance due the first day of camp. Scholarships available. Email [email protected] or call 509.997-7529 with questions or scholarship inquiries. Return registration forms with deposit check via mail to PO Box 425 Twisp, WA 98856 OR Email the form to [email protected] and we will call for a credit card deposit Download the registration forms here:
Disney's Winnie the Pooh, Kids
Music and Lyrics by Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, Robert Lopez, Kristen Anderson-Lopez Music Adapted & Arranged and Additional Music by Will Van Dyke Book by Cheryl Davis Based on the stories of A.A. Milne and The 2011 Disney animated feature film Disney’s Winnie the Pooh KIDS. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019 Script, music and all other materials © 2010 iTheatrics Broadway Junior and MTI’s Broadway Junior Collection are trademarks of Music Theatre International. All rights reserved In June Summer Performance Intensive with Ki Gottberg June 17th, 18th, 24th & 25th 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM For students in 8th grade and above, adults welcome! Working with theater professional and The Merc’s Artistic Director Ki Gottberg, students will learn specific techniques in acting, stagecraft, voice, and movement in this four-day workshop. With a strong focus on preparing the body and the voice for stage work, participants will learn how an actor uses body and mind as an instrument to bring out meaning in text. Workshop sessions will provide an exploration into the craft of acting and will also develop life skills such as ensemble building, self-confidence, and public speaking. Focus on the process rather than the end product will be emphasized. This intensive workshop is designed to compliment summer working schedules by spanning two weekends for three and a half hours each day. This valuable educational experience is for actors, teachers, lawyers, leaders, or those that want to be. Students in 8th grade and above will learn critical skills, not just for onstage, but for life! Adults are encouraged to participate. Cost is $250. A $75, non-refundable deposit is due at registration. To register, call 997-7529 or email . Partial scholarships are available. Download registration form here:
In August Musical Theater Camp with Megan Hicks & Kathryn Stahl August 7 - 11 10 AM - 4 PM Musical Theater Camp is for ages 8 and up. The Merc Playhouse is pleased to bring back Megan Hicks and Kathryn Stahl for Musical Theater Camp! Young actors improve their singing, dancing, and acting skills while being a part of a musical theater production. Campers all get a part in Magic Tree House Collections’s Pirates Past Noon, Kids which will be performed for audiences twice at the end of the week. Friday, Aug 11th at 4:00 and Saturday, Aug 12th at 2:00 we invite friends, family, and the public to come see the show. Admission to this special performance is by donation. No previous theater experience is necessary. Campers should dress comfortably and pack a sack lunch, snacks, and a water bottle. Cost is $250. A $75, non-refundable deposit is due at registration. To register, call 997-7529 or email . Partial scholarships are available. Download registration form here:
Where is stage right? What direction do you go to get down stage? How does a designer create a set for a show? What is casting and how do directors do it? How can dance enhance a theater performance? What makes Reader's Theater different? Methow Valley Elementary students in the after school Cub Club program will have the opportunity to explore all of these questions, and much more, throughout the 2016-2017 school year. The Merc is super excited to have about fifteen students in grades three through six registered for this Children's Theater program that will focus on skills like character development, set design, mask-making, dance, reader's theater, stage blocking and many other elements of theater performance. With the generous help of volunteers, we have a variety of sessions planned for each Tuesday after school. We are calling it The Merc Playhouse Cubs. As part of the program, senior Liberty Bell High School student Bryce Tillman will be leading some of the sessions for work on his Senior Project - making this a partnership that spans into the high school as well. Bryce will call on his own experience acting onstage (you may have seen his excellent performance in Footloose in the spring LBHS show) to teach the younger students theater skills and also learn about theater leadership and teaching methods himself. We are thrilled to have him on board! After providing a six-week dance session last year, this is the first time The Merc has worked with Cub Club to provide an entire year of programming and we are looking forward to it! It's wonderful to have this extra opportunity to teach students the necessary skills for stage production and performance. If you are interested in volunteering to help with any of the sessions - it doesn't matter how many. Step in for one week, or help with a series of sessions. Have an idea for leading a session? By all means! We do have room in the calendar for additional volunteers and would love your help. Contact Missi at 509.997.7529 or email her with your idea for a session and/or available dates. All volunteers need the necessary background check paperwork on file at the district office. Working with Seattle actor Kate Wisniewski (Intiman, Seattle Shakespeare, Book It, The Merc, teacher of acting and voice at Seattle U, Freehold) students will learn specific techniques in acting and stagecraft, improvisation, voice and movement. Concentrating on the texts of Shakespeare and other great poets, the camp will provide an exploration into the craft of acting and will also develop life skills such as ensemble building, self-confidence, and public speaking. Focus on the process rather than the end product will be emphasized and the camp will encourage fun, commitment, discipline, and risk-taking within a safe environment. The workshop will culminate in shared experiences for an invited audience of family and friends. During this week-long camp, students will have an opportunity to: • Learn the basic building blocks of acting • Enhance concentration and sensory awareness • Build confidence • Develop movement and vocal skills • Learn tools to overcome fear of public speaking and performance • Begin an appreciation of language and heightened text ARTIST BIO: Kate Wisniewski is a professional actor, and an acting instructor at Seattle University where she teaches acting and vocal production for actors. Merc audiences may have seen her as Maria in Ki Gottberg’s production of Twelfth Night, in Madcap Melodrama’s audio play The Vampire or the Bride of the Isles, and most recently as Hecuba in the Seattle University touring production of Women of Troy. Kate has appeared in Seattle area theatre at Seattle Shakespeare Festival, Intiman, ACT, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Empty Space, Tacoma Actors Guild, New Century Theatre and New City Theatre among others. She is a founding member of upstart crow, an all-female Shakespeare Company that has produced critically acclaimed productions of Titus Andronicus and King John. Her co-adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry VI plays, entitled Bring Down the House, will be co-produced by upstart crow and Seattle Shakespeare Festival in early 2017. Kate is a graduate of the American Repertory Theatre Institute at Harvard. She has been a faculty member of Freehold Studio Theatre Lab and is also a professional voice over artist. This camp is for any level of experience, beginning to advanced, and will be tailored to each individual’s need and ability. The instructor, Kate Wisniewski, has been a working actor for 20 plus years, and has taught many levels of workshops and classes. She is an MFA graduate of American Repertory Theatre Institute at Harvard. This 30+-hour camp will include instruction in acting and stagecraft, improvisation, voice and movement, and will concentrate on the texts of Shakespeare and other poets. The camp will provide exploration into the craft of acting and will also develop valuable life skills such as ensemble building, self-confidence, and public speaking. There will be focus on exercises that help to develop an awareness of moment-to moment work, truthful behavior on stage, accessing and using the imagination, character movement, character voice, stage craft, taking direction, and making active choices. We will be working with texts by poets and writers including: Shakespeare, Dr. Seuss, Lewis Carroll, William Blake and Robert Browning among others. Cost is $275. A $75, non-refundable deposit is due at registration. Upload a registration form here. Call 509.997.7529 for more information or email Missi.
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