Calling All Children!

by Ryan Honl

The Roseau Area Arts Association (RAAA) announced that a professional touring theater company from the Twin Cities that brings extraordinary theatrical experiences that educate, challenge, and inspire kids through summer and school year programs is coming to Roseau. Storybook Theatre provides a fun theater experience for all participants and put together a professional and entertaining production in just one short week. Two talented young adults with experience in the arts will cast, direct, and choreograph "Hansel & Gretel" at the Roseau School Theater.

"We have 20 kids registered so far," said Sue Carstens who is the secretary of RAAA and retired Roseau special education teacher. "In the past we've had more but the problem is we haven't had it in 5 years. The current elementary kids have never experienced it. We used to have a lot of repeat kids because they loved it."

The reason for it being 5 years since the last performance is a combination of Covid restrictions and a new theater group taking over. After Covid it took a while to restart getting college kids together and people hired to run it. The previous group called Prairie Fire Children's Theatre ran the program for about 30 years. One of the owners of the new company Storybook Theatre helped run Prairie Fire.

"I've been doing this since 2012," Sue continued. "We're really excited to have them come to Roseau. There's some singing and some movement like simple dancing. There are a lot of groups and aren't a whole lot of speaking parts so for kids getting a little bit afraid of being cast they don't have to worry about that. They learn songs mostly."

Auditions are open to anyone grades 1-12. The entire production will be staged and presented in a five day period beginning Monday, August 5, and ending with a performance at 7 p.m. on Friday August 9. The auditions will take place on Monday, August 5, from 1-3 p.m. at the school theater. For those interested just arrive a little early to sign in. There will be a short rehearsal held after auditions for some of the cast, so some might be asked to stay until 5 p.m. The rest of the week, Tuesday to Friday, rehearsals will be scheduled between 12:45 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Mary Jo Wensloff who is a member of RAAA has had her kids, Claire and Eric, participate in the past programs.

"I think it's a fantastic way for the kids to get together and have fun," she said. "They learn how to work as a team and they are so excited to be able to perform! My kids had a blast doing it in the past! Both of them are still involved in theater. It really boosts the kids' confidence and the kids become such good friends. Claire has been in one act and spring play, and she and I are doing Footloose this summer! Eric has done the tech side through high school." The Footloose production that Mary Jo references will be at the Warroad Summer Theater on August 10 at 7 p.m.

Kate Kennedy, a 2024 graduate of Roseau High School, took part in many of the programs growing up. She is continuing to act and direct as an adult because of the kids program inspiration and will continue to do so in college at the University of St. Thomas while majoring in accounting. She will also be taking part in Footloose at the Warroad Summer Theatre along with Mary Jo and her daughter Claire.

Asking how she originally got into the kid's program in Roseau she said, "I was a second grader when I first did it. There were posters around the school and my mom noticed it. It started out there. I fell in love with it. It was a great experience. It was exciting to be a part of a finished product. It was exciting to get dressed up in a costume and put on face paint and perform. You should give it a try and experience it at least once. It helps a lot with confidence even if you have just one or two lines. It's definitely low stress. If you're younger you may have a line or a song with some people. You don't have to worry about memorizing a script or a whole bunch of lines. It's a more laid back experience. It's a great entrance into the world of theater."

Kate's mom, Jessica Kennedy, is a member of RAAA and is helping with August's program.

Not all cast members for the Roseau kids theater event will be needed at every session. Participants just need to have a clear schedule for August 5 through August 9. At the end of the audition on Monday each participant will be given their own rehearsal schedule. It is suggested to bring a snack for those scheduled for the full 4 hours and 15 minute rehearsal sessions.

A synopsis of this show from the group's website is "Hansel and Gretel are like any brother and sister -they can't stand each other! But when their parents sign them up to be Adventure Scouts, they have no idea the adventure they are in for! Troop Leader Paul takes his Adventure Scouts on a camping trip and tells a scary story about Brunhilda the Witch and her house made of candy. Excited by the prospect of all that sugar, Hansel takes off into the forest after everyone has gone to sleep, and Gretel goes after him! Along the way, they meet some forest creatures and flowers that help them, but as they get deeper into the forest, they meet some of Brunhilda's creations. What will happen when they meet Brunhilda, and will they ever get back home again?"

The cost of the program for the whole week is a very low $20 to register and a maximum of $60 for a family. You can call Mary Jo Wensloff (218-689-5426) or Jessica Kennedy (218-452-0860) for more information. If you want to register early you can send an email to Tami Osweiler for a form at [email protected]

More information on the Storybook Theatre program can be found at http://www.storybooktheatremn.com