THOMAS – Voices From The Earth, Inc. held a week long children’s workshop recently which culminated in the kids showing off their talents in a “reader’s theater”.
Voices From The Earth, Inc. is a theater arts organization based in Thomas, that has been serving the community since 1991. Executive Director, Ilene Evans, was on hand and explained that goal of the workshop was to give area children experience in theater, drama, voice, and characterization.
The week-long program encompassed kids from grades fourth through eighth. The participants dedicated an hour and a half each night with different subjects taught each evening. They had an introduction to everything from dance, voice, and costuming to characterization and correct microphone use.
Evans said that this was the first such workshop in a while, and the first run solely by V.F.T.E. Previously they had partnered with other organizations such as energy express. She said that if there were more kids and more interest that they would do more workshops in the future.
The participants paid a nominal $5 fee to attend for the whole week.
Evans said that she hoped the program will ready the children to participate in other upcoming V.F.T.E. productions such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Christmas Carol.
Workshop director, Kerry Robinson, started off the evening by welcoming the group of about 40 attendees by listing some of the things the children had learned. Robinson explained that the performance would be a “reader’s theater” which meant some scripts would be in hand. He described the play, “The Spell-book in the Forbidden Room”, as a short play, kind of still in rehearsal.
When asked what he hoped the kids got out of the program, Robinson said he hoped they learned how to project, to create a character, and to learn how to pay attention and enjoy what they’re doing on stage.
The workshop took the efforts of about ten adults to put on and had participation of five students.
The students were: Lindsey Hull, Elora Mowery, Niveah Nichols, Sadie Palmer, and the event’s brave only guy, Mateo Hinkle.
Each child took something different away from the workshop, everything from stage direction to microphone usage. The one sentiment they all echoed though was their gratitude to their moms for listening to them practice and getting them to the event each night.
For more information on Voices From The Earth for upcoming performances or to participate contact them via FaceBook at: VFTE Community Theater Ensemble.
