By Jacob Mohr, Intern
The Performance Club Studio Theater for Young Actors will soon present its next evening of Children’s Theater in the Park, bringing Dorothy, the Scarecrow and other well-loved characters to the Wrightsville Beach Park Amphitheater.
Performance Club’s Oct. 30 production will be an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s “The Wizard of Oz,” a show director LJ Woodard said lends itself to a younger cast.
“This version allows for a cast of about 45, so everybody gets a moment to shine,” Woodard said. “There’s a couple of Dorothys, a whole lot of munchkins, more than one Lion, more than one Scarecrow, etc. I think the kids could do it without a script — it’s very popular.”
Performance Club produces two to three plays each year, with past productions ranging from “Finding Nemo” to “Peter Pan” and “Romeo and Juliet.” Club sessions take place once per week, and start slowly to create a pressure-free environment.
During Performance Club meetings, children ages 5 through 13 learn the basics of stage performance, including singing, stage directions and improvisation. Woodard divides her pupils into two groups based on age — or more accurately, on reading level.
“I start them up with a warm-up game to get the blood moving,” Woodard said. “Because it’s October and Halloween, I usually teach them the ‘Thriller’ dance. Improv and acting games teach them acting skills and give them confidence and teach them how to find their characters, find that emotion.”
Rehearsal takes up the second half of each meeting.
“We go through the script scene-by-scene,” Woodard said. “We do blocking, we do entrances, we do cues, choreography, you name it. And at the end we do a sort of meet-and-greet, because everybody likes to share what they’ve been doing on the weekend. Kids like to express themselves.”
Woodard said she based her concept for Performance Club on her own experiences in the field. A Screen Actors Guild-accredited actress, Woodard has appeared on “One Tree Hill,” “Shades of Pink” and “Silk Stalkings,” as well as played the lead in stage productions like “Nuts” and “9 Lives.”
“I think about my experience growing up and doing theater and dance and music, and I know it’s intimidating and frightening to step into this world,” Woodard said. “Everybody’s had a teacher that told you that you weren’t good enough. I’m trying to create a positive environment.”
Woodard said her ultimate goal is to provide kids with a positive first theater experience.
“I have very clear rules for Performance Club,” Woodard said. “Listen to your director: that’s basic. Rule two is be positive. This creates a safe environment without judgment. Rule three is keep your hands to yourself, and rule four is have fun.”
“The Wizard of Oz” will be performed at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 at the Wrightsville Beach Park Amphitheater. Admission is free. For more details, visit www.performanceclubkids.com
