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.
