More Opportunities to Grow for Young Actors!

If you and your kids, ages 4-14, are looking for ways for them to have fun and grow as actors this summer - look no further! Chaya Glass, an acting coach for MCT's 2011 production of The Boy Friend, is holding Drama Camps June through August at Brighton School in Edmonds. Whether you're looking for a day long adventure or a week full of action, Brighton's Summer Drama Camps are the place to be for young actors.

For more information, or to sign up, contact Chaya at ChayaGlass@msn.com

See below for all of the fantastic options available to you this summer!

The Many Faces of Shel Silverstein, June 16th, 2011

Time: 9am-3pm Grades: 3-8 Price: $75*

We will spend the day bringing the poems and music of Shel Silverstein to life. Using drama excercises and creative thinking we will dive into the wacky world where Shel Silverstein's characters reside.

Brighton's Glee Club, June 17th, 2011

Time: 9am-3pm Grades: 3-8 Price: $75*

5-6-7-8! Sing and dance your way to the Drama Room for a day of show choir. We'll learn a dance routine and sing a song from a popular Broadway Musical. This class will be fun, energetic and suitable for young performers of all skill levels and backgrounds. We will end the day with a performance for friends and family. Get your dancing shoes on and get ready to sing in Brighton's Glee Club!


*Sign up for both single day sessions for only $125!

Story Trunk, July 5th-8th, 2011

Time: 9am-12pm Ages: 4-6 years Price: $140**

Arggghh Matey! Come aboard the Story Trunk ship as we sail away on an adventure. Ever day we will explore a book with a seaworthy voyage and sue our imagination to look into the Story Trunk for the buried treasure.

Story Trunk, July 5th-8th, 2011

Time: 12:30pm-3:30pm Ages: 4-6 years Price: $140**

Howdy Drama Campers! Strap on your boots and join us as we ride out to the Wild West with the Story Trunk. We will wrangle books with some cowboy and cowgirl adventures. Using creative drama to activate our imaginiations and maybe even lasso the moon!


**Sign up for both half-day sessions for only $200!

Play It! Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, August 1st-5th, 2011

Time: 9am-3pm Grades: 3-8 Price: $250

Lilly is very excited about her Purple Plastic Purse, and we are very excited to do a play about it! In just one week we will put together a production of "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" by Kevin Henkes. Students will creat a set, props and costumes for the production they will put on for friends and family at the end of the week.

Story Trunk, August 22nd-26th, 2011

Time: 9am-12pm Ages: 4-6 years Price: $175***

3-2-1...BLAST OFF! This week we will get our space gear on and travel around the universe as we explore some stories that are out of this world! Using our imaginations we may travel to Saturn or Neptune...who knows what the Story Trunk will have in store?!

Story Trunk, August 22nd-26th, 2011

Time: 12:30pm-3:30pm Ages: 4-6 years Price: $175***

Come rock your socks off with the Story Trunk this week as we follow some stories about music and even make some music of our own. Ever day we will go into the Story Trunk and find clues for our musical adventure. Using our creative minds we will dance along to our own melodies.


***Sign up for both half-day sessions for only $250!

It's Opening Night!

Tonight's opening performance by the Eclairs Cast kicks off at 7:00pm!
Get your tickets at the door.

Additional performances are:

Friday, March 25th @ 7:00PM
Saturday, March 26th @2:00PM* & @7:00PM*
Sunday, March 27th @12:30PM & @5:00PM*
*ASL Interpreted

Every star shines in ‘The Boy Friend'

Madrona theater produces more than upbeat musicals

By Lauren Thompson
Enterprise writer
(See original source)

In the Mountlake Terrace High School auditorium on a Thursday afternoon, a chorus line of elementary school girls dance in line to a 1920s tune. Dozens of students fill the red theater seats.

Behind the auditorium, more students walk through the locker-lined hallways, some wearing dance shoes and others holding scripts.

A piano tinkles in the background. For now, it's filling in for the live pit orchestra that will play during the Madrona Children's Theater's performance of “The Boy Friend,” a musical and romantic romp set in the 1920s French Riviera. Performances are March 24-28.

Tonight, from soon after school's out until 9 p.m., it's rehearsal – for one half of the 84 actors in “The Boy Friend,” at least. At MCT, every child who tries out gets a part; this year, that means there's two full casts. All the actors are fourth- through eighth-graders at Madrona K-8 School in Edmonds.

“We find places (for everyone), expand parts if we need to, add parts, customize it to make it fit,” says Mark Press, who is the show's music director along with his wife, Nancy.

This is just one of the things that sets MCT apart from an ordinary school play.

MCT is an almost-completely volunteer organization run by the parents group of Madrona K-8, says Brandis Roundy, a Madrona parent who is producing 'The Boy Friend.' “(At MCT), they find the kids' talent – if there are better dancers, they highlight that, if there are better singers, they highlight that,” described Roundy.

Director Ted Jaquith agrees: “It gives kids the opportunity to have a real theater experience.”

“We like to think we surround the kids with professionalism at all levels. We harness their talents and energy,” Press added, later.

Just a little school play

Press has been helping with MCT plays for almost 20 years, which is about how long the theater program has been around. “It started as a little school play,” he describes. Now, it's an annual, large-scale musical production. Press and others attribute its growth to two main things: professionalism and a community of volunteers.

Behind the scenes, parent volunteers run almost everything – building sets, doing makeup, making costumes, feeding the cast. “Our parents are amazing,” says Roundy. In addition, there is a lot of “volunteer expertise,” says Press. (Only a few, more specific roles are paid positions.)

For example, choreographer Carissa Meisner Smit is also currently directing “Nunsense” at Driftwood Players in Edmonds. Other volunteers include the Seattle Opera, Seattle Pacific University and more.

Coming back for more

This level of professionalism and community also entices Madrona alumni to come back and volunteer.

At rehearsal, entire families of siblings stand in the hallway talking about their fond memories of their days in MCT productions. Dani Langlie, a senior at Meadowdale, and her freshman twin sisters Malena and Sydeny joined siblings Corinne and Lily Jaquith, the director's daughters and Edmonds-Woodway freshman and senior, respectively.

Elspeth Nolen, 27, who acted in the very first MCT production, is also back, working as the director's assistant. “(MCT) does so much for kids,” says Lily Jaquith. Nolen agrees. “It really gives kids more,” she says, noting that MCT has higher production value than a lot of high school programs she's seen.

The alumni roles are diverse: some help with makeup or music, others are stage managing. But their attitude toward MCT is the same. “It's such a great community,” says Dani Langlie, and the rest concur. They all agree that they were a part of something special – and now they're back.

Over-the-top awesome

In the halls, blue bags with each actor's name and “The Boy Friend” written in bold font are scattered among backpacks and lunch pails.

Talking to the actors themselves shows why MCT even exists – they are excited. Nicole Roundy, a seventh-grader and daughter of Brandis, is in her third Madrona play. “I think it's fun to be somebody else and go crazy with it,” she says. This year she plays Hortense the maid – next year, she says, her role will be even bigger. Being on stage, she says, is “a big adrenaline rush that keeps going.”

“I'm not myself (onstage); I get really into my character,” adds fellow seventh-grader Olivia Teno, who plays Lady Brockhurst. They, along with seventh-grader Katja Jacobs, all talk of their love of theatre and desire to continue in it after graduation.

“It's totally over-the-top awesome,” says Teno. She and Roundy give a goofy thumbs up in excitement.

The best part

And this genuine excitement, according to Ted Jaquith, is the best part. He begins to tear up as he talks about “seeing kids that couldn't get one foot in front of the other singing and dancing the front of hundreds of people.”

“It's a chance to shine for everyone,” he says.

Hearing-impaired students in the spotlight at Madrona

By Lauren Thompson
Enterprise writer
(See the original source)

One of the hallmarks of the Madrona Children’s Theatre is that every student gets a chance to perform.

In their upcoming production of “The Boy Friend,” this includes seven deaf or hearing-impaired students taking the stage. “This creates wonderful opportunities; (it makes the musical) more accessible to as many as possible,” said music director Mark Press.

One person helping make this possible is Casey Johnson Pasqua, an Edmonds-Woodway ninth-grader and alumna of MCT. Johnson Pasqua, who herself is deaf, assists the director with coaching the hearing-impaired actors. “It’s a different experience to communicate with my hands and not my voice,” she said. “I use hands to express myself.” Talking to Johnson Pasqua, it’s clear she uses more than just her hands – her face lights up and speaks volumes in expression as she signs.

Johnson Pasqua and others spoke of the heightened awareness and extra levels of communication having hard of hearing actors brings to a play. “You’re really showing more of a connection between the actor and community,” said Johnson Pasqua. “When you have two actors signing, it’s like a triangle with the audience… there is more communication, (which) highlights the relationship.”

“It makes it a really intentional interaction,” said fellow MCT alumna and director’s assistant Elspeth Nolen.

In addition, “It’s really pretty to see the signing of the songs,” said Meadowdale senior Dani Langlie. “It really highlights the visual.”Everyone agreed that having Pasqua Johnson there was essential in allowing the hard of hearing shine on stage. “She’s fantastic,” said Nolen. “She actually causes kids to become better actors.”

Director Ted Jaquith agreed: “(Casey) puts so much effort into making other kids look great.”

The Boy Friend Costume Parade

Every year we spend a Saturday in March trying on the hundreds of costumes involved in the production of an authentic musical. Countless hours go into designing the costumes to outfit two full casts of 40+ students each!
Check out the photos from this year's Costume Parade to see what the amazing Erika Larimer and her team have designed for The Boy Friend!

The Making of The Boy Friend! A Photo Story

It takes months of hard work by the 80+ students, the Creative Team, and the dozens of parent volunteers to make a full scale musical reality, each and every year.

Check out some photos below of this year's cast and crew hard at work!

All pictured are listed from left to right


Ted Jaquith - Director


Dani Langlie - Director's Apprentice
Cassidy - Lord Brockhurst, Crepes Cast
Mark Press - Music Director
Carissa Meisner Smit - Choreographer
Diane Jamieson - Assistant Director & Stage Manager


Dani Langlie - Director's Apprentice
Ted Jaquith - Director


Lily Jaquith - Assistant Stage Manager
Aaron Wheeler - Props Assistant


Elizabeth Short - Sign Language Support
Jon Woods - Performance Interpreter
Casey Johnson Pasqua - ASL Coach


Diane Jamieson - Assistant Director & Stage Manager
Dani Langlie - Director's Apprentice
Lily Jaquith - Assistant Stage Manager


Duncan - Tony, Éclairs Cast
Ted Jaquith - Director



Liz - Bobby, Crepes Cast



Crepes & Éclairs Casts

Stepping Out: MCT presents 'The Boy Friend'

Published on
Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

To view the original article seen in the Edmonds Beacon, click here.

The Madrona Children’s Theatre (MCT), in cooperation with Madrona K-8 school in the Edmonds School District, is producing its 18th musical – The Boy Friend – the Broadway show that turned Julie Andrews into an overnight sensation. The cast is comprised of 84 Madrona students in two casts (Éclairs cast and Crepes cast).

The setting is The French Riviera, where Polly, an English heiress attending Mme. Dubonnet's Finishing School, falls in love with Tony, a delivery boy.

Recalling her father's warning to beware fortune seekers, she poses as a working girl, unaware Tony is in fact the missing nephew of the wealthy Lord Brockhurst.

Things get complicated with the unexpected arrival in Nice of Polly's parents and Lord and Lady Brockhurst - but not to worry, a happy ending is in store for all.

MCT productions are performed by 4th-8th graders; all who audition get to participate.

This year the Éclairs cast includes seven deaf and hard of hearing students who play a variety of characters. When a deaf actor is signing there will be voicing by one of the hearing actors.

High school student and MCT alumni, Casey Johnson Pasqua, who is deaf herself has returned to assist with the process of translating the English into American Sign Language for both the deaf and hearing actors.

Performances are Thursday, March 24 at 7 p.m. (Éclairs cast); Friday, March 25 at 7 p.m. (Crepes cast); Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m. and 7 (both Éclairs cast); Sunday, March 27, at 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. (both Crepes cast).

Performances are at Mountlake Terrace High School
21801 44th Avenue West, Mountlake Terrace.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students.

Children’s Musical Features Deaf and Hard of Hearing Actors

By Katherine Luck
Published: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 9:28 AM PST
To view original source in the Lynnwood Journal, click here

Amber Winkle and Liz Hood in
The Boy Friend. Photo by Michael Bury.

As dozens of young actors at a theater rehearsal warmed up their voices by singing scales, a small group of them stretched their arms, first low then higher and higher. As the singers did rapid tongue-twisters, this group moved their hands faster and faster. And when the actors began to sing, they moved their hands expressively in American Sign Language to the beat.

Madrona Children’s Theatre’s (MCT) 2011 production, The Boy Friend, is a big Broadway musical with show-stopping songs, hilarious comedy bits and plenty of dancing. Among the cast of fourth- through eighth-graders are seven deaf or hard of hearing kids.

“We’ve always had a few deaf and hard of hearing students in our shows. We’ve tried different ways to integrate them with the hearing students, some more successful than others,” said Director Ted Jaquith, who has directed six of the annual shows at MCT, as well as productions at Driftwood Players and Renton Civic Theatre.

Jaquith got involved with MCT when his children were enrolled in the theater program’s home, Madrona K-8 School in the Edmonds School District. The school has over 650 students enrolled, including students from the North Puget Sound Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program.

In planning this year’s annual production, an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter put together a workshop for the MCT creative team. The workshop was lead by local deaf actor Howie Seago, who has appeared on numerous TV shows including “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “The Equalizer,” as well as on stage at theaters around the world, from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to the Berliner Festspiele in Germany.

“He came and worked with us for an evening, and spouted out idea after idea. It was very inspiring,” said Jaquith.

Inspired by Seago as well as their experiences with previous productions, the MCT creative team decided to try something new this year.

“We tried to have our deaf actors play deaf characters, rather than trying to hide them in the chorus,” said Jaquith. Instead of having someone offstage read the lines for the deaf and hard of hearing kids, as in previous productions, “The [hearing] kids are learning signs — just enough to ‘say’ their lines,” he explained.

The 84 students in the play are split into two casts. One cast includes the deaf and hard of hearing kids along with hearing kids, the other has only hearing kids.

“For the most part, they’re the same [show]. We’re using the same script. Some of the blocking is different so the signs can be seen,” said Jaquith.

One of the young actors in this year’s production is eighth grader Amber Winkle, who has been participating in the MCT program for four years.

“I like doing dramatic productions and so I brought an interpreter to an audition,” she explained through an ASL interpreter. “[Ted] is doing really well working with the deaf actors, incorporating them into the production. ... There are a lot of deaf actors in the show. It’s interesting that the hearing actors are learning to sign their lines. They’re getting better.”

Instrumental in this learning process was MCT alumnus Casey Johnson Pasqua. Now in high school, Pasqua undertook the task of translating the script into ASL, then teaching the signs to the hearing students.

“I think I was in fourth or fifth grade, and my dad was a light manager. One day, I came and watched a performance. I wondered, ‘What are they doing?’” Pasqua recalled through an ASL interpreter. “For the next performance, I decided to try out. It was The Music Man.” Pasqua got the part of Amaryllis. “I was hooked. I’ve loved theater ever since,” she said.

Pasqua explained that after translating The Boy Friend into ASL, she simplified the signs a bit to make them easier for the hearing students. “They try to copy what I do. I fix whatever errors they might have. It’s a lot of repetition,” she said.

Jaquith has high hopes for the integration of sign language into the play. In last year’s production of Oliver!, he staged a scene in which all of the young actors signed along to a song. “That was one of the most moving moments of the show. People seemed to be taken with the beauty of the signs,” he said, adding that his first experience with ASL came from his work with MCT. “It’s a beautiful language. Our deaf kids are very expressive, not just with their hands, but with their bodies. ... Your voice is just one tool that you have to use as an actor.”

Nearly 1,400 students have participated in MCT productions since the program’s inception in 1990. Not only do the students act in the play, they work on the stage and make-up crews, are members of the artistic team, and serve as ushers. This year’s production is the culmination of three months of work by the students, as well as school, parent and community volunteers.

“I think it will be good for people who don’t know much about the deaf community to learn more about us and our culture,” said Winkle.

“I hope the community will see that deaf people can be in a performance with the hearing community. They may not be able to speak or sing, but they can be on the stage and you can see the communication between the hearing and deaf actors,” Pasqua agreed.

The Boy Friend is on stage March 24–27 at Mountlake Terrace High School, located at 21801 44th Ave. W. Tickets are $5–$10.

For more information, visit madronachildrenstheatre.blogspot.com.

We need your help!

Hello from Madrona,

My name is Sheree Gibson and I am a parent at Madrona K-8, located in the Edmonds neighborhood. I am coordinating the MCT Silent Auction that will be held during our run of performances of “The Boyfriend” at the Mountlake Terrace High School Theatre.

We hope you will consider contributing to our Silent Auction, as we feel strongly that this offers you the opportunity to reach new customers while simultaneously supporting your community and raising funds for a neighborhood school - a win-win scenario for all!

The Silent Auction will take place during all performances of “The Boyfriend” March 24th-27th, 2011. All proceeds from the event go directly to support Madrona K-8 students’ vital Art, Drama and Music programs that build character and confidence in our students. By donating to our cause, your business will be featured in a catalog on our Bear Facts website, viewed by the families of our 650+ students. Additionally, more than 400 viewers will be at each of the six performances, resulting in the exposure of more than 2400 individuals to your products or services.

There are several ways for you to make a contribution:
• Donate a product or sample of your products to be auctioned at our school event
• Donate a service or a mini session of all of your services to be auctioned at our school event
• Donate an “unforgettable experience,” which would remind our parents to patronize your business, to be auctioned at our school event
• Think outside the box: What could you donate that would draw families to your business or firm? We’d be happy to discuss creative ways to make a donation that
would be meaningful to your business.

Residents and families living throughout the Greater Seattle Area attend our performances and Silent Auction each year - think of the exposure to all these potential customers that a donation would bring! In addition, Madrona families are even more motivated to patronize sponsors like you, fully appreciating that your auction donations fund our school programs.

Should you be interested in supporting our school, please visit our School Web Site to download the Procurement Letter, Auction Donation Form, and information. We respectfully request that all contributions be received by March 1, 2011.

Even if you don't represent a business, I hope you all take some time and stick those procurement forms in your car when you’re out shopping or stopping by your favorite coffee shop. It only takes a minute to give them the forms; you don’t even have to say much - everything is included in the Procurement Letter.

Ideally, I would like all items procured by March 1st. If there items that trickle in after that of course that’s okay. But I would like most in by March 1st so we can assess, organize and pretty them up for the auction and raffle.

After the auction, we will mail you a Statement of Donation for tax-related purposes. All donations are tax deductible our ID number is 91-1423509.

Without the generous support from our business and family communities, these supplemental programs would not be sustainable for our students.


Thank you for your consideration!

Sheree Gibson
Parent of two students
shereegibson@frontier.com
425-678-8506

Promotional Photos from The Boy Friend!

Take a sneak peak of some of the stars of both casts of
The Boy Friend, opening March 24th, 2011!
Photography by Michael Bury

Duncan and Rachel
as Tony & Polly

Aidan and Emily
as Percival Wright and Madame Dubonnet

Amber and Liz
as Maisie and Bobby

Amber and Cassidy
as Maisie and Lord Brockhurst

Cassidy as Lord Brockhurst
Amber as Maisie
Emily as Madame Dubonnet
Aidan as Percival Wright
and Liz as Bobby

Do-Do-Doing the Riviera!

From Pirate King to Zombie Mastermind

Kevin Hamedani
Professional Actor, Director, Producer
MCT Alumni

MCT Productions
Rogers & Hammerstein's
Cinderella (1996)
Pirates of Penzance (1997)

"I was first exposed to the arts when I attended Madrona middle school. It's still one of the most educational and eye opening experiences I've ever had and I mark it as an important time in my development as an artist. I continue to do work based on lessons learned and skills developed from those two years. I'll never forget the teachers there and I owe a lot of my success to them."-Kevin Hamedani, MCT Alumni

MCT alumni Kevin Hamedani was born in 1982 in Kent, Washington. After his family moved to Edmonds, Kevin attended middle school at Madrona K-8, where he participated in the 1997 production of Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and the 1998 production of Pirates of Penzance. His first experiences with theatre at MCT were to spark an interest in acting and film, which he began to explore during his years at Edmonds Woodway High School.

At the young age of 18, Kevin borrowed equipment from EWHS to create his first feature film, Clothes (2001). Kevin used his own high school experiences to write, direct, and produce this film that looked into the sometimes painful process of self-discovery that most high school students find themselves in.

In the same year as his successful film debut at Edmonds Movie Theater, Kevin enrolled in the University of Washington, where he attended the Digital Arts and Experimental Media School. He continued to write and direct films during his college career (including The Love of C.A., 2003; Bookends, 2003; and The Unfinished Novel by the Man Who Ate Himself, 2004), even winning film festival awards for his work.





In the years following his graduation from UW, Kevin has written, directed, and produced a wide range of projects, from commercials, to promotional videos, all over the world. In 2009, ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction was nominated and presented at the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Seattle International Film Festival. Following this high praise, ZMD also enjoyed a limited release, distributed by Lionsgate Films.

'Filmmaker Kevin Hamedani says the Sept. 11 attacks transformed him from an ordinary American into “the other.” Hamedani, an Iranian-American, recalls the isolation he felt in the weeks and months following the terrorist attacks, even though he considered himself as “Americanized” as his neighbors. “I wanted to talk about that as a filmmaker,” he says.

So he created “Zombies of Mass Destruction,” a horror comedy comprised of equal parts bloodshed and political beefs. The movie, out this week on DVD as part of After Dark HorrorFest 4, tracks a small Washington state town overrun by zombies – and prejudice. He calls the film a “cathartic experience” born from what he saw as the previous administration‘s missteps. “It’s like writing a song. If you’re angry, you hit the notes harder. In this case, I added more blood,” he says.’
– Christian Toto, WWTW, March 26th, 2010

The Marriage of Two Cultures

Guest Blog by Elizabeth Short
High School ASL Teacher
Volunteer ASL Instruction Consultant for MCT

Being a hearing member of the Deaf community for 4/5 of my life, I tend to look for things that join my two worlds together. Often times the space between is something hearing people take for granted - like being able to go see a movie is way more work than checking show times online. You need to see when the captioned shows are and unfortunately only one time in a hundred is there a captioned option. This is no easier when wanting to see a play. When a play is interpreted, the interpreters are standing to the side, off from view and out of the way. When you think about it like that, it becomes clear that following along with the story and watching the action on the stage is very difficult to do - but not anymore!

Madrona Children’s Theatre has been a part of the Edmonds community since 1993, but in recent years it’s grown to include the Deaf community. For more now than ever there is a play to cater to their every need and love for theatre! This year I have the opportunity to work with the Theatre - my first exposure actually since I am the worst actor on the face of the planet. I am a high school American Sign Language teacher, and volunteered to teach the hearing cast members their lines in ASL. Why you ask? Well this year’s production of The Boy Friend has both hearing and Deaf cast members interacting with one another in sign language, on stage. This is something the Theatre has done before, but never to this magnitude. Seeing these two worlds collide on and off the stage is simply fantastic.

Personally, I have seen a great divide in the hearing and Deaf worlds over my years, but never once at Madrona. It truly is inspiring to see the kids interact with one another, the TEAM of interpreters on hand for the staff’s and children’s every communication need, and to watch children grow as little actors in the Theatre. One of my biggest smiles comes from watching Ted, our director, treat every child just the same. It’s an amazing feeling for Deaf children to be treated just like everyone else. As a card carrying member of both communities, it’s great for me to see that there are people who will take the time to show these kids a little fun, whether they can hear or not.

The students this year have already put in so much hard work. The fact that they are only 4th – 8th graders simply blows me away. Being able to be a part of this production is something I will never forget. I hope that after all the hard work these kids and staff put in, they will see not only a great play come together on the stage, but a community brought together by a common language and shared with all to SEE.

Tickets ON SALE NOW

Get your tickets to see this year's
MCT production of the Broadway musical "The Boy Friend"

To purchase, please call Deborah Hargrave at (425) 774-8639

Buy soon while tickets are still available!

**Reminder that performances on March 24th, March 26th, and 5:00 PM on March 27th will be ASL interpreted**

For the Love of Theatre

Guest post by Lily Jaquith
EWHS Senior
MCT Assistant Stage Manager



For nine years I have worked with a local theater program, MCT. It’s part of the K-8 school I attended and gives so many opportunities for kids to experience first hand. This year is going to be my last year with them. I head off to college next year and I won’t be able to continue my work with them. I feel sad just thinking about not being around all these wonderful kids.

MCT is the reason I am the person I am today. It’s the reason I didn’t fall apart when my friend bailed on me. It gave me so many different experiences that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

My first show with MCT I had an easy job, helping the backstage coordinator follow the show. That small role had a huge impact on me. It was the first time I felt the rush of live theater. There’s nothing like knowing anything could go wrong, but having everything go perfectly. I wanted to hold on to that feeling and never let it go.


The next four years I was an actor. Those years were incredible. In my awkward pre-teen years I was learning to express myself through theater. I had a difficult time my middle school years, constantly being bullied by my own friends. It made me a shy and self conscious person, but when I was on the stage singing out Freddy my Love from Grease, nothing could bring me down. Becoming someone else and expressing all my emotions through song was the best way to forget.

My freshman year of high school I returned and helped out with rehearsals, passing on my knowledge of theater to those younger than me, while at the same time learning about how everything happens behind the scenes. This was the first time I realized I wanted to work with kids someday. It was also the first time I saw my passion for teaching.

However, the most beneficial of all my years with MCT were the past two. I gained the role of Assistant Stage Manager for our 2009, and took on that role again in 2010, it’s the role I hold this year for our 2011 production of The Boy Friend. The work was so different than anything I had ever done. It was just as rewarding, if not more so. It was my job to make sure those kids got on stage on time and my fault if something went wrong. I learned not to take the role lightly and be serious when working backstage. I also gained a lot of patience. There were many situations where I was dealing with kids who weren’t listening, talking backstage or asking questions I’d just answered. As a fairly impatient person, it took me a while to handle this well. After a while I gained the tolerance to answer questions calmly and nicely ask kids to quiet down without getting frustrated and flustered.

Along with all the skills I have acquired, MCT also became my home away from home. The sense of family felt between the cast and crew is an amazing feeling. I love being someone the kids can look up to and I love the look on their faces when they accomplish something amazing. The stage is somewhere I will always feel comfortable.

MCT and theater will always be my happy place!

Save the Date!

The Jazz Age Lives On in Madrona Children’s Theatre (MCT)
2011 Musical Comedy “The Boy Friend”


Edmonds, WA (January 31, 2011) – The Madrona Children’s Theatre (MCT), in cooperation with Madrona K-8 school in the Edmonds School District, is producing its 18th musical – The Boy Friend – the Broadway show that turned Julie Andrews into an overnight sensation. The cast is comprised of 84 Madrona students in two casts (Éclairs cast and Crepes cast).

SYNOPSIS: The setting is The French Riviera, where Polly, an English heiress attending Mme. Dubonnet's Finishing School, falls in love with Tony, a delivery boy. Recalling her father's warning to beware fortune seekers, she poses as a working girl, unaware Tony is in fact the missing nephew of the wealthy Lord Brockhurst. Things get complicated with the unexpected arrival in Nice of Polly's parents and Lord and Lady Brockhurst - but not to worry, a happy ending is in store for all.

MCT productions are performed by 4th-8th graders; all who audition get to participate. This year the Éclairs cast includes 7 deaf and hard of hearing students who play a variety of characters. High school student and MCT alumni, Casey Johnson Pasqua, who is deaf herself has returned to assist with the process of translating the English into American Sign Language for both the deaf and hearing actors.

DATES: Thursday, March 24 at 7:00pm* (Éclairs cast)
Friday, March 25 at 7:00pm (Crepes cast)
Saturday, March 26 at 2:00pm* and 7:00pm* (Éclairs cast)
Sunday, March 27, 2008 at 12:30pm and 5:00pm* (Crepes cast)

PLACE: Mountlake Terrace High School, 21801 44th Avenue West, Mountlake Terrace

TICKETS: Are available starting February 14 for $10 adults, $5 students by calling Deborah Hargrave at 425-774-8639



CREATIVE & PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director - Ted Jaquith
Music Directors - Mark and Nancy Press
Stage Manager - Diane Jamieson
Choreographer - Carissa Meisner Smit
Producer - Brandis Roundy
Assistant Producer - Debi Waters


About Madrona Children’s Theatre Company
Since 1990 Madrona K-8 has produced major musical plays for multiple performances before a live audience. Nearly 1400 students have participated in productions including Alice in Wonderland, Hello Dolly, Once Upon a Mattress, The Wizard of Oz, Li’l Abner, Annie, The Sound of Music, The Pirates of Penzance, Tom Sawyer, Bye Bye Birdie, Cinderella, From Borders to Bridges, Honk, Grease – The School Version, Seussical the Musical, Beauty and The Beast and Oliver!

Productions involve scores of volunteers including school educators and staff members, parents and others from the local arts community. Madrona students comprise the cast, stage crew, make-up crew, art team and ushers, and work countless hours over three months preparing for this major musical production.

Who are we?

Vision Statement
The vision of the Madrona Children’s Theatre is to create an annual multi-generational collaboration of families and educators which supports children in the preparation and performance of extraordinary musical theatre productions.


Mission Statement
The Madrona Children’s Theatre provides theatrical experiences for all students who want to participate, enhancing their self esteem, and helping to promote and develop each child’s belief in his/her own unique blend of abilities. Our intention is to provide continuous learning with the educational process being as important as the finished product.

Values

We believe:

• Life skills including leadership, mentorship, cooperative learning, effective communication, as well as theatrical skills can and should be emphasized during the rehearsal process.
• We do our best work when all are involved as collaborators in the pursuit of the artistic vision.
• We provide a valuable multiage experience through teamwork, modeling and mentorship
• The lasting experience of being an integral part of a large, diverse and complex organization assembled to accomplish a specific goal will be valuable in any future endeavor.
• Artists of all ages and abilities must be valued and provided with the tools to achieve excellence and realize their vision.
• Every child should have an equal opportunity to reach their potential as artists and performers.
   

The Director, Producer and Musical Director Positions will be filled based on the above Vision
and Mission statements and the following criteria:

• No one with any family ties to the possible lead cast should have any influence over casting.
• Madrona recent alumni may not be in the lead cast.
• All extra curricular policies of the School and District must be followed to allow participation.
• The MCT must involve the entire Madrona community including DHH, Intermediate, Middle School and Staff.
• The Performance piece must be approved by the Madrona Theatre Administrative Board.
• The performance piece must be a child centered production giving the most students the most opportunities to participate.