Canton's First Youth Summer Theater Program Emphasizes Process over Product

Canton Amateur Summer Theater Director/Producer Trevor Pierce, staff music director Madeline Smith, house manager Emily Goeler, and theater manager Maggie Bahre are bringing their collective theater experience and passion to the youth of Canton.

The young staff, all headed into their sophomore years at various East Coast colleges, brings 20-plus years of personal experience to the table, which is now being reinforced through continuing theater studies at the university level.

The idea for CAST, the town's first theater program, was championed by Pierce last December when he drafted a budget and proposed it to Canton Recreation Director Brian Wilson, who was intrigued by the idea.

After overcoming adversities with enrollment and finances, Wilson and Pierce garnered town approval — as long as CAST could be self sufficient.

Pierce accepted the financial terms and was willing to make it work.

"[We] raised just under half of the $8,000 budget for the show through enrollment fees and the rest will be raised through ticket sales," he said.

Pierce was glad to gain approval and support for the opportunity to put on a show in the recently renovated Town Hall Auditorium, a project Pierce worked on for his senior project for the Canton High School class of 2010, with a $10,000 grant from Connecticut Light and Power.

Twelve local participants, ranging in age from 9-15, will perform the two-act classic "You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown," reinforced by a "six-set live orchestra band directed by myself, and all originally choreographed by Pierce and Bahre," Smith said.

Not only are the dance scenes original, but so is the overarching philosophy of the CAST staff, which places an emphasis on process over product. Simply put, the ultimate goal of this program is not the performance of the show, but rather it is the journey in getting there which truly motivates the impassioned, young staff of theater studies students.

Considering this is the first year Canton has offered such a program to its youth, many if the program participants are entirely new to theater. The staff not only teaches the kids where stand, how to dance, and the correct lyrics of a song, but also offers tips on such techniques as getting into character, introductory dance moves, basic theater terminology and how to properly warm up the voice.

Twelve-year-old Canton resident Hayden DiMaio, cast as Charlie Brown, says, "(his) favorite part of the morning is the plastic red-cup game where one person and a partner stand in front of each other while trying to keep a plastic drinking cup in the air (with their hands) back and forth."

"This simple game, much like volleyball, is designed to engineer group focus and the ability to work with and off of another person in a dynamic setting," Goeler said. "Not only is it fun, but the kids are actually gaining something from the practice as well."

Another example of this philosophy, Smith said, was bringing in a special guest each Wednesday.

"The purpose of special-guest-day is to introduce and expose the kids to some of the classic Broadway musical songs," Smith said.

For example, Phantom of the Opera was performed for the kids, many of whom had never heard the song.

Pierce proudly noted that the show would not have been possible without the generosity of several local businesses.

“The program has also successfully involved several local businesses in the procurement of necessary supplies," he said. "Miner Lumber graciously donated the wood supplies for the set at cost, Wal-Mart donated all of the paint supplies, and BK Designs donated all of the posters for the show.”

Online tickets can be purchased at http://www.cantonrec.org and will be held at the will-call table for the day of the show. Tickets can also be purchased at 860-693-5808 or at the Parks and Recreation Office at 40 Dyer Ave.

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