Chicken Licken, Henny Penny, Cocky Locky, and the rest of the family from "The Tale of Chicken Licken." Most of my experience doing Children's Theater has been with groups that had very little in the way of funds. Occasionally, even the artists asked to do the sets were amazing and willing to trade for their services. They would put their children in the shows in exchange for their art expertise. Still, they could only do what they could do with the resources available.
I admire programs that have the funds to afford great scenery as well as beautiful costumes. But in my reality, I usually end up making the costumes as well as painting the scenery and making the props for my shows. That's not to say that having scenic artists, and costumers, and working on stages with actual lights and sound amplification wouldn't be great, too
I admire programs that have the funds to afford great scenery as well as beautiful costumes. But in my reality, I usually end up making the costumes as well as painting the scenery and making the props for my shows. That's not to say that having scenic artists, and costumers, and working on stages with actual lights and sound amplification wouldn't be great, too
The Bluebirds Trio with Foxy Loxy from "The Tale of Chicken Licken." But, it takes years to build up a program where those perks are normal. Good funding for a team of talented artists, technicians, seamstresses, sound engineers, and so forth.(sigh) That would be ideal!
In the mean time, I like to create. That's why I have been writing and producing Children's Theater Musicals. Besides that, I am quite particular as to what messages are being portrayed through the shows. Many kids' shows are just plain silly. I try to carefully select stories that send good messages, preferably surrounding a Character Value such as HONESTY, KINDNESS, BRAVERY, SINCERITY, WORK, PREPARATION, not giving into FEARS, APPRECIATION and KEEPING PROMISES.
In the mean time, I like to create. That's why I have been writing and producing Children's Theater Musicals. Besides that, I am quite particular as to what messages are being portrayed through the shows. Many kids' shows are just plain silly. I try to carefully select stories that send good messages, preferably surrounding a Character Value such as HONESTY, KINDNESS, BRAVERY, SINCERITY, WORK, PREPARATION, not giving into FEARS, APPRECIATION and KEEPING PROMISES.
Ducky Lucky and the Duck Family Team from "The Tale of Chicken Licken" I've seen too many shows that had elaborate backdrops and scenery bought or rented from professional sources and costumes bought or rented also from professional costume houses that must have used up all of the group's budget. But the actual directing of the show and managing the young actors left much to be desired. The poor kids got lost in all of the accoutrements. Instead, the groups could have used their funds for more assistant directors to help prepare the kids.
As you may have guessed, there are a few things that really bother me about shows that are available to Children's Theater groups these days, such as:
1. Parts for only a few lead characters or narrators. All the other kids get to sing the songs as a chorus and do a little dancing, maybe, but there are no opportunities for real ACTING or DEVELOPING CHARACTERS.
2. Over-produced accompaniment tracks that overwhelm the young voices.
3. Original songs written for adults, so the ranges are not fit or healthy for very young voices.
As you may have guessed, there are a few things that really bother me about shows that are available to Children's Theater groups these days, such as:
1. Parts for only a few lead characters or narrators. All the other kids get to sing the songs as a chorus and do a little dancing, maybe, but there are no opportunities for real ACTING or DEVELOPING CHARACTERS.
2. Over-produced accompaniment tracks that overwhelm the young voices.
3. Original songs written for adults, so the ranges are not fit or healthy for very young voices.
Goosey Loosey and the Geese Family from "The Tale of Chicken Licken" Where some shows lend themselves to gorgeous sets and fabulous costumes, even they can overwhelm a cast of first-time-ever-on-stage youngsters. I believe that a good show can stand on its own with very little in the way of "extras." Sure, having a colorful set rendered by talented artists and costumes obtained from professional sources can be great, but they can also be liabilities (as well as be very expensive).
Perhaps it is better for the students to shine rather than be swallowed up by their surroundings. The best accolades I ever get from doing my shows are the ones like "I could understand every word the kids sang," or "we will go home singing those wonderful songs," or "I'm so glad the kids had something good to think and sing about," or "we couldn't tell that there was one star of the show, there were important parts for everybody."
And, there's nothing wrong with simple sets and scrounged costumes...
Perhaps it is better for the students to shine rather than be swallowed up by their surroundings. The best accolades I ever get from doing my shows are the ones like "I could understand every word the kids sang," or "we will go home singing those wonderful songs," or "I'm so glad the kids had something good to think and sing about," or "we couldn't tell that there was one star of the show, there were important parts for everybody."
And, there's nothing wrong with simple sets and scrounged costumes...
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