FILM/THEATRE

Sunriver Stars Community Theater Offers Virtual Showcases on YouTube Channel

by LYNETTE CONFER

For almost a year now we have all been navigating murky waters… unclear of when we can get back to the things we enjoy most. Being together, giving hugs, going to sporting events, going to the movie theater… and even more fun and exciting, going to see live theater! Stages have been dark, spotlights dim, no rehearsals, tech week, opening night, matinees, standing ovations and sold out shows!

But, never fear! Sunriver Stars Community Theater (SSCT) has been working hard to stay innovative and creative in their approach to continue to offer performing arts to loyal community supporters and audience. Our world has never needed arts and entertainment more!

A few months ago, then SSCT President, Renee Anderson, dreamed of a way to connect SSCT performers and artists to their audience, even expanding the potential audience, for the local community theater group. SSCT has been part of the Sunriver community since 2012. Through the years, SSCT’s audience has grown and many look forward to the regular SSCT annual performance schedule. But, last year’s performance schedule was, of course, interrupted by the COVID pandemic.

First, SSCT created a YouTube channel as a way to upload videos of productions and performances. A link to this YouTube channel can be found on SSCT’s website at sunriverstars. org. Once it was clear that regular live performances were not going to be possible, Anderson and the other SSCT Board members began thinking of ways to keep actors acting and audiences watching.

“I came up with the idea of having actors film their own scenes in the safety of their own homes, or within pods using COVID-19 safety protocols,” stated Anderson. “I then stitched all of the individual videos together into a larger show for YouTube.” February 14, the second SSCT virtual production was released to the SSCT YouTube channel. This video program entitled Kid’s Valentine’s Video Spectacular features Stars Kids, part of the SSCT’s family of performers. This particular group of Stars range in age from kindergarten through eighth grade.

The following youth Stars are featured in this new Valentine’s Video Spectacular: Saydi Miller, McKinley Grant, Crusade Grant, Malakai Grant, Jovi Mae Grant, Danny Hartman, Luke Hartman, Rowan Kristy-Thompson, Kieran Kristy-Thompson, Olive Bailey, Otillie Bailey, Catalina Krislyn, Niko Owens, Spud Wright, Emma Davis, Clara Davis and Talon Confer.

Directed by Michele Hans (SSCT director of Children’s Programming) with video editing done by Renee Anderson, this production of the Kid’s Valentine’s Video Spectacular is a great example of a “labor of love” for those involved. As a nonprofit entity, SSCT’s Board of Directors, cast, crew and all those involved in their productions, are volunteers. One skit that appears in this most recent YouTube video program, entitled Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad, is an original take on the classic Little Red Riding Hood. In this skit, ‘the big bad COVID’ is the threat, and ‘Dr. Fauci’ makes an appearance on screen. For production of this skit, SSCT provided a traveling backdrop, a tripod with circle lighting and all the costumes. Each actor filmed their portion of the skit in the safety of their own homes. This required collaboration among Stars families to get the equipment transferred in a safe and timely manner, film their performance on their own and then email final footage to Anderson for final splicing and editing.

Another original video short available on the SSCT YouTube channel showcases Stars kids in Kindness is our Super Power! This video features the following Stars kids ranging in age from three-seven: Kieran KristyThompson, Rowan Kristy-Thompson, Olive Bailey and Otillie Bailey.

SuperHeroes of Kindness kids: (L-R) Otillie Bailey, Kieran Kristy-Thompson, Rowan Kristy-Thompson and Olive Bailey | Photos courtesy of Sunriver Stars Community Theater

The Show Must Continue To Go On!

BEAT Children’s Theatre presents The Radio Play Disaster — A Radio Play! The world has been faced with challenging, uncertain times. There are many unknowns and changing conditions. The performing arts world has been challenged to find new and creative ways to proceed and bring the stage to the community. How do you present theatre when you cannot safely gather an audience, or a cast? Once again, BEAT Children’s Theatre has taken a cue from theatre of the past. BEAT’s talented young actors have worked hard over the past month to present a hilarious play in an old fashioned radio play format! This play has been recorded and released for streaming on your computers at home for everyone to enjoy safely and comfortably.

Director Bree Beal, along with BEAT Children’s Theatre, is pleased to present a radio play version of The Radio Play Disaster by Don Zolidis. The story follows self-proclaimed genius, Harlan Bean, who is ready to make history with his science-fiction radio masterpiece, Battle of the Planets. But when the broadcast is in the hands of an ambitious actress with her own vision for her character, several terrified last-minute replacements jumping in, a disgruntled sound engineer out for revenge and a contest winning walk-on member of the public who insists on calling himself Furious Hamster, everything goes terribly wrong... in the most hysterical ways! In a world full of stress and chaos, this hysterical play has allowed our young actors to let go and embrace their crazy over the top acting skills.

BEAT misses you at the theatre and looks forward to seeing you again in the future. In the meantime, grab the family and gather around at home for some hysterical comedy brought to you by the talented actors you miss seeing on stage! This play will leave you crying tears of laughter! Don’t miss The Radio Play Disaster streaming on your devices March 12, 13, 14 and March 19, 20, 21.

For information about this presentation and tickets, visit tickettails.com.

Roman Russell | Photo courtesy of BEAT Children’s Theatre

According to SSCT founder and Artistic Director, Victoria Kristy, “The Sunriver Stars Community Theater is alive and well! Even though our stage is dark, we are working on developing exciting new and creative projects while we are plotting and planning for the day we can once again bring live theater back to the stage.”

One such project is the third annual SSCT Stars Kids Drama Camp. This six week drama education program that not only teaches theater craft, but also challenges students to become more responsive members of their communities, is for children grades K-8 in Sunriver and surrounding communities. Drama Camp classes will be held two-three days per week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday after school hours from April through June (Still to be determined if classes will be held in person or via Zoom or some other video platform). Plans for the final Stars Kids Drama Camp Showcase are to offer the filmed production of Willy Wonka Jr. on Facebook and the SSCT YouTube channel. If state mandates in June 2021 allow, a live Final Showcase may be offered featuring the filmed version of Willy Wonka Jr., along with several other live performance pieces.

“This year, students will be performing excerpted scenes and selected music from Willy Wonka, Jr.,” explained SSCT Director of Children’s Programming, Michele Hans. “Our Stars Kids Drama Camp was cancelled last year due to COVID-19. And, though we will be keeping a close eye on the ever-changing state mandates regarding gathering due to the pandemic, we are excited to be able to move forward with this year’s camp due to some creative thinking and planning.”

The first date to keep in mind for the upcoming Stars Kids Drama Camp is the Mandatory Parent Meeting on Saturday, March 13 from 6:30-8pm. Parents of interested students must pre-register their students and attend this mandatory meeting. There are two age groups for the Stars drama camp, with only 20 spots available in each age group: Little Stars for grades K-2 and Stars Kids, grades 3-8.

New for the 2021 Stars Kids Drama Camp is the Student Filmed Auditions. Submissions of filmed auditions are due by Sunday, March 28. In order to receive instructions for these submissions, families must pre-register their students and attend the Mandatory Parent Meeting. Students chosen for lead and supporting rolls for the Stars Kids Drama Camp production of Willy Wonka, Jr. will be invited to participate in call backs on Saturday, April 3.

Pre-registrations are now being accepted for the 2021 Stars Kids Drama Camp. Please email the Camp Director, Michele Hans, with your child’s name, age and grade at MicheleHans29@gmail.com.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Sunriver-La Pine Rotary Club and the charitable hospitality of The Door, a Church in Sunriver, this third annual Stars Kids Drama Camp will continue to be offered to students free of charge.

As always, if you would like to support SSCT and their efforts of bringing performing arts and education to Sunriver and surrounding communities, all donations are tax deductible. And, SSCT always welcomes new members to their family… Join Us! We are an all-volunteer community theater group and here are just a few of the opportunities available: actors, make-up artists, program designers, pianist, hair stylist, graphic design, set builders, ticket sales, set artists, stage crew, costuming, lighting, stage manager, advertising, sound, technology.

So, though the live stage may still be darkened, the Sunriver Stars Community Theater Virtual Stage is alive and well. Join us anytime from any location… We are so honored and pleased to still be creating and bringing to you Theater Magic during times such as these.

Clara Gray as Grandma in Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad