So Many Little Ants and Mice

Seven 5-yr-olds, six 6-yr-olds, three 7-yr-olds, and two 8-yr-olds.  The first time I did the show "The Ants and the Grasshopper" I had seven 1st Graders and one 2nd Grader. This will be very different with so many very young "ants.

Finale of "The Ants and the Grasshopper"

Every time I think about starting rehearsals for such a young cast, I have to catch myself.  I always have reservations about working with the very young --- who by the way seem younger every year to me.  But what actually happens is that I am very impressed with their abilities.

​With the right material and working in a very organized way, these "littles" do just fine.  This is a short show.  There are only three songs and two simple dance sequences.  The hardest part is getting them to learn and deliver their lines in the right order.  I am planning to have them work in pairs so they can help each other be loud enough and come in on time.

First Cast of "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse" at Provost Elementary School

The other show will have seven 8-yr-olds, four 9-yr-olds, five 10-yr-olds, and three 11-yr-olds.  This certainly skews the show to a very young population.  "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse" has more songs and a more sophisticated story line.  The cast members also need to be able to dance.  This may be lucky since there are twice as many girls as boys in this camp.  Fortunately, the script is flexible enough to provide meaningful parts for everyone.

---

Maid Marie, Country Mouse, and City Mouse singing and dancing "As the French Say"

The last couple of times I mounted "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse," we had more older children.  I can't help wondering how this will work with a much younger cast.  We have just enough older kids to manage the roles that will take actors with more experience.  Wish me luck...

​Now to get back to work on organizing costumes and painting sets...