www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org

Backstagewith Watertown Children’s Theatre

Vol. 23 No. 1 Fall 2009 1983 - 2009

Thank You for 25 Stages of Success!

For 25 years, Dinah has committed herself to the organization’s

inclusive mission and high artistic standards, in order to assure continued growth for the sake of theatre arts, children, and families all over the region. Sharing in her vision for WCT, Peyton Pugmire has newly assumed his full time role and responsibilities of Producing Artistic Director, and Dinah has stepped back into her new role as Founding Artistic Director. Together, Peyton and Dinah, along with the WCT staff and Board, look forward to a future of boundless possibilities and the continued growth of the WCT community.

This season, Watertown Children’s Theatre celebrated 25

years of dedication to children’s theatre excellence! Since 1983, WCT has grown in scope and popularity from a backyard venture to the resident children’s theatre at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, and through the involvement of children, parents, community members, board and staff, WCT continues to contribute to the vibrancy of Watertown, its surrounding areas, and the arts community at large. On March 7, WCT’s headline event for the season - our 25th Anniversary Celebration – brought the community together to help commemorate the organization’s colorful history. The unforgettable evening transformed Watertown High School

into a gala affair, complete with dinner, birthday cake, “scrapbook” slide shows, heartfelt speeches, and Stages! A Celebration of 25 Years - an original musical extravaganza, uniting staff, Board members, parents, alumni, and current participants on one stage to showcase the countless ways in which WCT has touched the lives of those in Watertown and beyond.

The evening’s significance was heightened by the momentous opportunity to honor WCT Founder, Dinah Lane, for her grand vision and dedication.

Beaut

y

and the Beast

Arika Cohen

Disney

’s

Friday, June 12, 7 pmSaturday, June 13, 2 pm & 7 pm

Sunday, June 14, 2 pmFor tickets

go to www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org

or call 1-800-838-3006

Thank You!To the Watertown/Harvard/O’Neill Properties Community Enrichment Fund for supporting our Free Drama program in the Watertown Public Schools.

To the McGowan Scholarship Fund and the Cindy Waldron Cannon Fund donors.

To Rebecca Krieger and all of the generous donors who gave to WCT in honor of her Bat Mitzvah.

To the WCT Visionary Fund donors, for helping to secure a bright future for the next 25 years and beyond.

TO BE a cultural and educational resource for the community by providing opportunities for all children to appreciate and participate in the performing arts.

TO PROVIDE a range of theatre experiences for children of diverse cultures and different ages.

TO FOSTER self-discovery, creativity, confidence, group responsibility, and pride in accomplishment, as well as the development of skills in an enjoyable, non-competitive atmosphere.

WCT Mission Statement

WCT Program Administrative Staff

Peyton Pugmire, Producing Artistic DirectorDinah Lane, Founding Artistic Director

kathi tighe, Program AssociateDeidre Purcell, Production/Publicity Manager

 Dates to remember

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast  Performances June  12-14 

summer stage 2009 - Bound for discovery! registration Deadline Postmarked by June 17

earLy BirD Fall registration Deadline Postmarked by June 30

cBact children’s Theatre Festival  Saturday, July 18

FiNaL Fall registration Deadline Postmarked by September  1

Fall audition orientations Begin Christmas Carol, Saturday, September 12  Charlie Brown, Monday, September 21

DLta special Free performance The Miracle Worker, Sunday, October 11

WCT and Arsenal Center for the Arts host the 2nd Annual

CBACT Children’s Theatre

Festival! Saturday, July 18

Join WCT and Arsenal Center for the Arts on for the CBACT (Consortium of Boston Area Children’s Theatres) Children’s Theatre Festival – an action packed day of performances in the Mosesian Theater and interactive workshops for people of all ages!

Participants: Arlington Children’s Theatre, Arsenal Center for the Arts, Concord Youth Theatre, Riverside Theatre Works, Un-Common Theatre Co., Watertown Children’s Theatre, and Wheelock Family Theatre.

Festival Schedule:

9:30 am Ticketing/Registration10 am -11 am You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown11 am -12 pm Workshops12 pm -1 pm A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court1 pm -1:30 pm Lunch Break1:30 pm - 2:30 pm 42nd Street2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Workshops3:30 pm - 4:30 pm The Taming of the Shrew4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Improv Soup

For more information visit www.cbact.org or contact WCT Producing Artistic Director, Peyton Pugmire at ppugmire.wct@gmail.com or 617-926-ARTS (2787).

NEWS & Events

Announcing WcT’s

2009-2010 SeaSon!at the arsenal center for the arts

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown

The Phantom of the Opera

The WizMiss Nelson is Missing!

Spring Musical TBA

What’s Snoopy Got to Do With It?

In a world where the grown-ups are always “offstage” and out of the picture, kids are center stage in Charles Schulz’

beloved comic strip Peanuts, on which You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, WCT’s fall musical for grades 3-5, is based. Eight and a half year old Charlie Brown is a young boy with a quirky group of friends, an inquisitive little sister, and a tendency to fall on his face. His lovable awkwardness has made him the star of holiday specials, films, musicals, and an enduring comic strip that continues to appear in reprints in newspapers across the country. Snoopy, the lovable beagle and his bird sidekick, Woodstock, have become recognizable around the world, not just as part of Peanuts but as part of U.S. culture.

Charles Schulz’ comic strip contained a group of characters, who, though different, were able

to create a community among themselves, even including children of different races, such as the African-American Franklin, long before society had taken that important step. Thoughtful Linus, ambitious Lucy, athletic Peppermint Patty and her bookish friend Marcie,

joined Charlie Brown, Franklin

and many others in a world where differences made them more interesting. These are a few of the diverse characters who come

to life on stage in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, a “day in the life” story told through song.

The world of Peanuts and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is one of elementary school hopes, dreams and dramas. Teachers and parents, though present, are always

on the periphery, because in this world it’s all about the kids! Songs about homework, baseball, and kite flying represent the ordinary events that can become

larger than life. Snoopy’s daydreams, in which he becomes someone or something else, and even battles with the Red Baron, show the broad scope of places that our imaginations take us. Adversaries can appear in the form of the other baseball team, the kite-eating tree, or even our own fears, and friends can step in to support us at the most unlikely times.

That, really, is the enduring message of Peanuts and WCT’s You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. No matter what happens in the days and weeks of travail and triumph throughout our lives, whether we are children, adults, or even beagles, in the end, it is happiness and friendship that make the story complete.

Cindy Waldron Cannon Fund High School Scholarship Award

Madelyn Herzog, 2009 recipient The Cindy Waldron Cannon Fund provides an annual

scholarship for a graduating high school student who has shown extraordinary commitment to the arts.

As t

he “L

ion”

in WCT’s 2004 production of Th e Wizard of O

z

WCT’s Play Factory SeriesThe Play Factory, WCT’s black box theatre series, provides dedicated student actors the unique opportunity to gain advanced theatre skills while rehearsing and performing a literary-based, non-musical play with professionally designed costumes, scenery, and lighting. Actors will benefit from collaborating within a small cast and working together to develop a fully-staged production intended for the public and students from local schools.

Fall Play Factory: The Phantom of the Opera (non-musical version)

Enjoy the Halloween season on stage with WCT! Adapted from Gaston Leroux’s famous novel, which has inspired many movie and stage adaptations, this comedy thriller is sure to be another WCT Play Factory favorite! This spooky play will bring to life the mystery of the Paris Opera House, its resident Phantom, a series of bizarre occurrences, and the cast of characters who seek to survive the frightening happenings on and off the opera house stage.

Grades 6-9tuition: $175 (early Bird $160)Location: Arsenal Center for the ArtsParent volunteers are required to assist with backstage, costumes, set load-in/strike, ticket table

rehearsal Dates and times: September 15 - October 22, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3:30 - 6:00 pmadditional rehearsals: Saturday, 10/24, noon - 4 pm; 10/26 - 29, 3:30 - 6:30 pmPerformances: arsenal center for the arts, Black Box TheatreFriday 10/30, 10 am* and 7 pm; Saturday 10/31, 1 pm (NO Halloween night performance); Sunday 11/1, 1 pm

Fall 2009 Productions & programsYou’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!

Based on the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, this classic Broadway comedy will make its WCT debut! Join the lovable and colorful characters, including Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and others, as they explore friendship, baseball, kite flying, book reports, choir singing, and so much more in this fun and upbeat musical!

Little Peanuts1st and 2nd graders will sing and dance alongside the main cast in all 3 performances. Students will also have fun with theatre games and creative movement in this very popular performance class.

Grades 1 and 2tuition: $150 (early Bird $135)

Location: Arsenal Center, WCT Drama Space

Dates:Oct. 5 - Nov. 9 (No rehearsal October 12)Mondays, 3:30-4:30 pm or 4:30-5:30 pm

rehearsals with Main cast: November 16, 18 & 19

Performances, arsenal center, Mosesian Theater:

Friday, November 20, 7:00 pm Saturday, November 21, 7:00 pm

Sunday, November 22, 2:00 pm

Charlie Brown Main cast

Grades 3-5tuition: $225 (early Bird $210)Location: Arsenal Center for the Arts

required orientation: Monday, Sept. 21 • 3:00 - 6:00 pm Student Audition Orientation • 5:00 - 6:00 pm Parent Orientation

auditions: Wednesday, Sept. 23 & Friday, Sept. 25, 3:30 - 6:00 pm

rehearsal Dates and times: October 2 - November 15Wednesdays, Fridays 3:30 - 6:00 pm Sundays, 2:00 - 5:00 pm

Final rehearsals: Nov. 16-19 (times TBA)

Performances, arsenal center, Mosesian Theater: Friday, November 20, 7:00 pm; Saturday, November 21, 7:00 pm; Sunday, November 22, 2:00 pm

PareNtaL assistaNce reQUireD for Charlie Brown and Little Peanuts

For committee descriptions click on show Bulletin Boardat www.watertownchildrenstheatre.org

To maintain our

LOW tuition

Committees: Archives, Cast Party, Cast Photo, Concessions, Costumes, Fan Mail,

Flowers/T-Shirts, Lighting, LoadIn/Strike, Make-Up, Prod. Assistance, Publicity, Raffle, Sets/Props, Snack, Tickets

* Students will be required to miss 1 morning of school on 10/30 in order to perform on-site for visiting school groups.

Page to stage: Harold and the PurPle Crayon

Here’s your chance to create a show with your friends! In addition to playing theatre games and learning performance technique, students will have fun adapting the imaginative story of Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson, to the stage. Equipped with only one crayon, Harold’s adventures show just

how far imagination can take you! The class will culminate in a final presentation, complete with costumes and scenery, on the Mosesian Theater stage for family and friends.

Grade k & 1tuition: $70 (early Bird $55)

Location: Arsenal Center for the Arts, WCT Drama SpaceDates: October 17 – November 14

Saturdays, 10:00 am – 11:30 amFinal presentation for family and friends:

Saturday, November 14, 11:00 am, Mosesian Theater

Fall 2009 Productions & programs

reGistratioN ProceDUre: Mail registrations to Po Box 54, Watertown, Ma 02471-0054

or hand-deliver to Program Associate Kathi Tighe at the

WCT Drama Space, 2nd floor mezzanine, Arsenal Center for the Arts

during office hours M-F 2:00-5:00 pm

QUestioNs? call 617-926-artswww.watertownchildrenstheatre.org

 Private Acting Coaching with Producing Artistic Director, Peyton Pugmire

grades 4 – AdultFee: $55/hour

Contact Peyton at 617-926-ARTS (2787) or ppugmire.wct@gmail.com

registrations accepted on a

First come First served basisearly Bird Deadline - postmarked June 30

Final registration Deadline - postmarked september 1

PRoGRaMS FILL QUICKLY!Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol It’s Christmas Day! I haven’t missed it. The Spirits have done it all in one night. They can do anything they like. Of course they can...!

- Ebenezer scrooge, A Christmas Carol

WCT is thrilled to be co-producing the fifth annual holiday musical Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with New Rep and arsenalARTS. Eight to ten stu-dents will be cast with professional actors.

Auditions will include acting and singing; instrumental experience is a plus. The rehearsal and performance schedule is demanding and

only for the most committed actors and families.

The following orientation is a prerequisite* in order to audition for this exciting show.

ages 5-13Fee: $50* Location: Arsenal Center for the Arts, WCT Drama Spaceorientation: • Saturday, Sept.12, 2-2:30 pm, parent/student orientation; 2:30 - 5 pm, workshop for auditioners.• Sunday, Sept. 13, 2-5 pm, final workshop for auditioners.auditions: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2:30 - 5:30 pm, by appointment. rehearsals begin: November 17Performances: December 6-27

* NOTE: Previous Christmas Carol auditioners/cast members should contact WCT prior to enrolling about a separate orientation/tuition policy.

important Note: Rehearsals for Christmas Carol and Charlie Brown over-lap, as do the ages of the child participants. If your child will audition for Christmas Carol, we strongly recommend that you enroll your grade 3-5 child in Charlie Brown as well, to avoid disappointment if not cast in Christmas Carol. If your child is cast in Christmas Carol, your tuition for Charlie Brown will be refunded.

Private Voice LessonsStrengthen your voice with WCT! Acquire the proper technique for healthy singing and learn to sing songs of your choice! Increase your performance opportunities and build vocal confidence in an enjoyable, supportive atmosphere.

Grades 4 – adulttuition: $35/half-hour lesson, in a block of 9 lessonsLocation: Arsenal Center for the Arts, WCT Drama SpaceDates: Sept. 14 - Dec. 7, Mondays/Tuesdays/Thursdays

Contact WCT Program Associate Kathi Tighe for private lesson availability, and to receive a separate private voice lesson registration form.

Hard Work on “THe FarM”: WCT explores a neW MusiCalThis spring, Watertown Children’s Theatre broke new ground in the field of play development! In another landmark event of its 25th anniversary season, WCT partnered with local writer/composer/director Steven Bergman to stage a reading of his new musical adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The entire process united WCT teen actors with other youth performers from Littleton and Brockton to rehearse and present a first time, staged reading of this new script on April 25th. The intimate presentation was followed by a discussion between actors, playwright and audience, in order for Bergman to gain insight and feedback as he continues developing his musical.

It is WCT’s hope to make new play development a tradition as the company continues to grow over its next 25 years. Through such programming, WCT can help expand the children’s theatre repertoire and offer artists of all ages the opportunity to engage in its creative and rewarding process.

WcT cast members: Elisabeth Brown, Adeline Cimino, Ezra Dulit-Greenberg, Adrianna Quintiliani, Michaela Reggio, Lily Steven, and Joel Tighe-Orloff

While exploring Belle’s potential as a strong character and role model for young girls, Beauty and the Beast

director Erica Berman introduced an intriguing idea to the WCT team: What if Belle is not, in fact, a helpless prisoner of the Beast? Instead, what if Belle chooses to stay with him, enchanted by the magical allure of the castle in contrast with the stifling routine of her own provincial home?

In order to support this idea as set designer I had to create two distinct worlds

- a charming but utilitarian town and a fantastical castle. As part of my design research for Beauty and the Beast, I (happily) watched the Disney film several times, as well as exploring other film adaptations of the story. From there I found myself drawn to images of quaint little Tudor houses and to cavern-ous Baroque cathedrals, drawing inspiration from these images to create two contrasting aesthetics: the boxy geometry of the small village cottages, and the wild, soaring architecture of the castle.

However, the question then became how to encompass these two worlds within the larger world of Beauty and the Beast. What unified the two worlds thematically?

During my research into cathedral architecture for the castle, I had come across a captivating array of stained glass picture windows. With the opening

sequence of the Disney film fresh in my mind, I was newly in-trigued by the use of glass as a visual metaphor. It is a material that is potentially cold, sharp, and dangerous but also nostalgic and gothically romantic. After taking stock of the materials we had available to create our set with, I discovered that all the scenic elements - both the geometric Tudor houses and the grand castle structures - could look like “stained glass” if con-structed out of open wood frames with sheer fabric and col-ored cellophane sheets serving as glass. It was this realization that brought me to the final set design. For WCT’s Beauty and the Beast, we invite you into a fairytale stained glass world, a medieval picture window magically brought to life by our young performers.

enjoy the show!

Dahlia Al-Habieli, WCT set Designer/Builder/Painter

Tale as old as Time, Timeless in DesignThe Stained Glass World of Beauty and the Beast

all registrations accepted on a First come First served basis. Classes are limited in size and contingent on adequate en-rollment. All registrations include a $25 non-refundable administrative fee. Refund requests for withdrawals will be honored ONLY if they are emailed to ktighe.wct@gmail.com or called in to 617-926-ARTS (2787) before the second meeting (between the audition orientation and the first day of auditions for mainstage production). Note: There is a separate withdrawal policy for short-term workshops and vacation programs — non-refundable tuition for Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol must be paid in full at the time of registration. WCT makes reasonable accommodation for all children. However, parental assistance may be required in some medical and/or behavioral situations. It is expected that students enrolled in our programs take their commitment seriously. We ask that parents call 617-926-ARTS if a child is unable to attend a class or rehearsal, and that the child be absent only in the cases of emergencies or illness. More than two absences from show rehearsals may result in dismissal from a production. To be informed of weather cancellations, call 617-926-ARTS (Announcements, ext. 6). Mail registrations to Po Box 54, Watertown, Ma 02471-0054 or hand-deliver to Program Associate Kathi Tighe at the WCT drama space, second floor, Arsenal Center for the Arts during office Hours, M-F, 2:00-5:00 pm. Make note of your class time and place at time of registration. Receipt of your child’s application will be confirmed. Confirmation of enrollment will be given after the Final Registration Deadline. Limited scholarships are available for Fall 2009 WCT programs. To obtain a scholarship request form, necessary before reg-istration, call 617-926-ARTS.

Note to Parents: rehearsals: There may be times during the course of rehearsal when your child will not be actively engaged in rehearsing. The WCT assumes no responsibility for any child who leaves the rehearsal area.classes/Lessons: We ask that parents not attend classes with their children. It is our experience that children do best if unaccomp-anied. All classes are participatory, and observation by non-participants can be inhibiting. Thank you for your cooperation.

registration information ""

Fall 2009 registration FormPlease use a separate form or copy for each additional child. Please print all information clearly.

Name_________________________________________ M F Grade____ School __________________________________Street_________________________________________________ City______________________________ Zip______________Parent or Guardian 1___________________________________ Parent or Guardian 2 ____________________________________Phone (h) ______________________ (w) __________________ Email Address _________________________________________ Emergency Name/Phone_____________________________________________________________________________________Please specify any medical conditions, including severe allergies or need for Epi-Pen _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Where did you hear about WCT?________________________ I DO Do NOT give WCT permission to use my child’s photo for Web site/publicationsI hereby absolve the WCT, including all employees, officers and trustees, from all liability, and will not hold them responsible for injury incurred to the above registered person. I hereby give my approval to the person’s participation in this activity.

Parent/Guardian signature______________________________________________

Payment options - check one: My check is enclosed, payable to

Watertown Children’s Theatre    Mastercard VisaCard Number ___________________________ 3-digit security code (from back of card): ________Credit Card Billing Address:______________________________________Name as it appears on card:______________________________________

Signature _________________Exp. date______

Mail to Po Box 54, Watertown, MA 02471-0054 or hand-deliver to WcT Drama space, 2nd floor mezzanine, Arsenal center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal st., Watertown, MA

Postmark Deadlines:Early Bird, June 30Final Registration, September 1 FaLL 2009 ProGraMs tUitioN

charlie Brown (Grades 3-5) $225 $_______Little Peanuts (Grades 1&2) $150 $_______ choose one: 3:30 pm 4:30 pmPlay Factory: Phantom (Grades 6-9) $175 $_______Purple crayon (Grades K&1) $ 70 $_______ Subtract $15 for registrations postmarked by 6/30 $ -______Subtract WCT Member’s discount ($5 per class) $ -______ subtotal $_______ christmas carol Audition (Ages 5-13) $ 50 $_______ Add tax ded. cont. for WCT Scholarship Program $_______

totaL DUe $_______

This newsletter contains the registration for Fall 2009 Programs

Become a Member!Join or renew now and be a member for all of 2010.

Name:______________________________________________________________________ (as you wish to be listed in the program)

address: ___________________________________________________________________ email: _______________________Phone: (____)____________________Date:___/___/___to become a member or renew your membership, complete this form. New and renewed memberships this Summer and Fall will receive benefits through the end of 2010. All 2009 memberships expire on December 31 and should be renewed by that date in order to receive continuous benefits. Your mailing label includes an expiration date if you are a current member. For more membership information, contact Kathi Tighe at 617-926-ARTS ext. 1.

MaiL to: Watertown children’s Theatre, P.o. Box 54, Watertown, Ma 02471-0054

I (We) would like to become a member(s) of the WCT for 2010 at the Membership level below:

Your membership supports:Major children’s productionsInnovative theatre classesExperienced and dedicated staffA cultural and educational community organization

Benefits Include:Tuition discounts - Family and above *Subscription to the WCT newsletterListing in performance programsInvitation to the WCT annual meeting

* Nova $1500+ $ 250 $ 500 $1000

* Benefactor* Star* Angel

$ 75 $ 100 $ 150

* Sponsor* Donor* Patron

$ 10 $ 30 $ 50

Senior Friend* Family

Watertown Children’s TheatreP.O. Box 54Watertown, MA 02471-0054

See Details Inside...

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown!

and more