Examiner.com

   The Delray Beach Playhouse fosters young actors, both
   dramatic and comedic.                      Photo/ Tracy Allerton
 

The childrens' theater program at the Delray Beach Playhouse, which has been training and inspiring young thespians for almost 30 years, held a recent fund-raiser that brought in $5,700 for the community theater.

The Feb. 26-27 fund-raiser consisted of two sold-out performances of a musical concert reading of The Sound of Music, along with a silent auction and raffle drawings for various family-friendly gift baskets.  Led by Sabina Ortiz as Maria and Dylan Bondy as Capt. von Trapp, the 17  talented youngsters performed all of the songs in a simplified script version of the classic musical. 

Moneys raised will go toward programming at the theater -- specifically the upcoming summer children's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast -- said Sue Easton, executive director of the playhouse.

These productions take place in the $1.2 million children's theater wing of the playhouse, which was built four years ago with the help of an $850,000 grant from the county in recognition of its value to the community.

Children with show business in their blood are happiest when performing, and that's what this theater program is all about.  Two 14-week semesters of classes are offered in three areas: drama, musical theater and comedy/improv.  At the end of each semester, the students perform a recital for parents and friends -- but no big "production."

"These are classes," Easton notes. "The kids are here to learn the different aspects of theater. Most of them are interested in attending the local middle-school and high-school of arts -- and these are difficult to get into. So, the students come to us for the proper training and preparation."

The acting program, led by esteemed teacher Dolly Workman, started with 7 students, and has grown to 100 kids from as far away as Wellington and Pompano. 

And, while providing an invaluable community service, the program also serves another crucial function: fostering new generations of theater lovers!

"This is a community theater," Eason observes. "We need the community's involvement. This program brings in the kids, which brings in their  parents -- so we have longevity."

Bottom line: A thriving community theater takes all types -- and all generations! -- of active involvement. The return on investment to the community is immeasurable.