The Magic of the Theater

It’s more than entertainment, it’s possibility By Rebecca Ison-Huber

“Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.” – Lady Bird Johnson

There’s something magical about the theater. It becomes even more magical when kids get to experience the lure of the stage first hand. Is it the heavy velvet curtains and bright stage lights in their eyes? Maybe it’s the feeling of their footsteps upon the stage for the first time? Could it be the butterflies in their stomachs before the curtain rises, where they can’t decide if they are excited or going to get sick? No matter which magical moment resonates best, the theater is a safe place for kids to be someone else for a little while, to use their imagination and learn about possibilities.

Celebrating its 15th year, The Seaside Repertory Theatre (The REP) believes kids need to experience the theater magic. Over the years, The REP has had excellent mentoring programs and relationships with many of the local schools, including the Seaside Neighborhood Schools, Emerald Coast Middle School, South Walton High School, The Ohana School, The 30A Learning Academy and the Tesla School, among others. The REP teaches all aspects of theater, including lights, sound, costumes, sets and stage management. This shows that students don’t have to be on the stage to be in theater and there is something for everyone. During a time when drama is being cut from many school programs, The REP’s theater mentoring program is important to the well-rounded education for students.

While The REP is active locally during the school year, there is plenty of excitement available during the spring and summer breaks. Every spring and summer, The REP’s Theatre Camp teaches students the basics of improv comedy, creating solid scene work and fun characters. The campers also learn different types of improv games and formats while exploring their own creativity and how group trust and teamwork make for an amazing and hilarious improv theater. At the end of the week, camp goers have a chance to show off their new improv skills as part of the Improv ARMY on The REP stage for friends and family on Friday nights at 5 p.m. Theatre Camp runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through Aug. 7 for kids ages 5 and up.

Remember all of that magic? Nationally hailed as “an inspiration,” Jeanette Andrews has brought an entirely new and thought-provoking take on the art of magic to The REP. Andrews performs five times a week at The REP, including two magic workshops at noon for kids ages 5 to 7 on Tuesdays and for ages 8 to 14 on Thursdays. Students will learn several age-appropriate magic tricks — making a quarter disappear and instantly reappear, being able to instantly sort the colors in a mixed-up pile of beads, being able to magically sort a shuffled deck of cards and making a friend’s roll of the dice coincide with an incredible prediction.

There is nothing like the excitement, inspiration and joy on the faces of children who experience theater and the arts with The REP. For more information about these great opportunities for your kids to become a part of the theater, visit lovetherep.com.

Visit The REP online