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September 8, 2007

No room for stage fright at Red Mask

Children learn tricks of theater trade

BY BARBARA GREENBERG

DANVILLE — The thought of appearing on a stage makes some people feel uncomfortable. All those lines to memorize and the potential embarrassment of forgetting them; the silly costumes they might have to wear; the heavy makeup, even for the men.

As a result, many adults and children never try acting because of stage fright. But if they did, they’d learn that the rewards far outweigh their fears.

For 21 actors between 9- and 14-years-old, preparing for Red Mask Children’s Theater’s “Wooing Wed Widing Hood” has been nothing but fun. Some of the cast has a long list of stage credits; others are onstage for the first time. But all agree it’s an experience they’ll repeat at the next available opportunity.

“Wooing Wed Widing Hood” is the very first play for North Ridge sixth-grader Ambrosia Williams, yet she found herself cast in a major role. She’s Mrs. Hood, Little Red’s mother in this fractured version of the famous fairy tale.

The cast plays the story for laughs, and their costumes add to the fun.

“We’re couch potatoes,” Williams said as she described her character and her onstage husband.

“We’re only interested in TV; we ignore our kids as much as we can.”

Mr. and Mrs. Hood have typical couch potato physiques, thanks to strategically placed pillows. Instead of feeling embarrassed by her padded posterior, Williams flaunted it during Saturday’s rehearsal for comedic effect.

“This has been so good for her,” Torre Wells, Williams’ mom, said. “It’s lifted her self-esteem.”

With over a half-dozen performances to his credit, fifth-grader Druhan Parker feels he’s well on his way to his long-term goal.

“I want to move to New York and be an actor,” Parker, a student at Northeast Elementary Magnet School, said. “My grandmother took me to see shows in Chicago. That sparked my interest.”

Parker has performed with Lincoln Park Theatre Company and Danville Light Opera in addition to appearing in this play, his third with Red Mask Children’s Theater.

“I have a good voice, too,” he said.

That self-confidence also showed in way he wore his costume with ease. His couch potato look included a pillow tied to his stomach, a pillow so large that it stuck out through his wrap-around robe.

Both young actors said the roles they play differ a great deal from their real lives.

“Mr. Hood is lazy,” Parker said. “I’m usually outside playing.”

Williams, a slender preteen, takes dance classes.

“I’m playing somebody totally strange to me,” she said.

And for these youngsters, that’s part of the fun.

Debbie Prentice, the show’s director, said she did improvisation with the young people from “Day One. That helps them to relax, both onstage and with one another.

“Although each show is different, there are some basic rules to follow,” she said. “Face front; don’t turn your back to the audience. Project your voice.

“And if you mess up, just keep going.”



IF YOU GO

Red Mask Children’s Theater presents “Wooing Wed Widing Hood” at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Kathyrn Randoph Theatre, 601 N. Vermilion St. Tickets are $3 each. For more information, call 442-5858.

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