Sycamore drama class bringing audiences to Oz
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STEUBENVILLE -- The Sycamore Youth Center's drama class will bring audiences to the fairytale land of Oz with two performances of "The Wizard of Oz" at 6 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 p.m. Friday in the center's sanctuary.
The youth-directed drama class, made up of about 20 youth between the ages of 4 and 14, has been preparing for the performances since the beginning of October. Wednesday was a big day, with actors getting ready for opening night with newly painted forest backdrops and no scripts in sight.
Francis Tullius, who played the Tin Woodsman, said he was "more excited" than nervous as opening night approached. Appearing in the approximately 90-minute production were the woodsman and other iconic "The Wizard of Oz" characters, including fighting trees, magical poppies and flying monkeys.
Main director Asher Breuninger addressed the actors after the dress rehearsal, saying they did a "fantastic job."
"You all have come so far, and it's turned out really, really well, and I'm so excited," Breuninger said, followed by cheers from the kids.
This production was Breuninger's first time as the main director for the drama class, one of the center's classes covering various activities and disciplines offered during the school year. The school year drama class, which has no official age range, offers two productions -- one in the fall and another in the spring.
The drama class is separate from the five-day drama camp the center hosts in the summer. Last year's camp, putting on an original play, had more than 70 participants.
Breuninger said this fall's class, meeting for two hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays, began with acting and improvisation games for the participants, so that Breuninger and his four-person crew could determine the their strengths. From there they made the decision of what production to do and assigned roles.
Practices began with basics and, eventually, slowly weaned the kids off of their scripts, Breuninger said. Parents of the actors contributed some props and costumes, Breuninger said, and he acquired any other materials the crew needed.
Helping on the crew were John and Von Holmes, who both have experience in theater and served as the class's adult supervisors. They admitted to being mostly hands-off in the production, with the youth directors and actors taking the initiative.
John Holmes, English professor emeritus at Franciscan University of Steubenville, said having the production be youth-led was the founding concept of Sycamore's drama class, which is beginning its third year.
Von Holmes has directed two productions at Steubenville Catholic Central High School, and for four non-consecutive years, she has directed "Wooden Heart Follies," an original family musical written for the Steubenville Nutcracker Village. Von Holmes said the kids' initiative in handling each aspect of the production themselves is "amazing."
"It shows leadership, maturity, responsibility and creativity," Von Holmes said. "I have been impressed by what the young people have been able to do in just meeting two times a week (for) not even a full two months."
Breuninger was sure each day of practice to reinforce with the kids four crucial aspects of acting: "pacing, articulation, projection and no talking backstage."
Breuninger himself first became involved with the drama class last fall, after watching as his friend Josh Mello directed "Little Women."
"I've loved acting," Breuninger said. "As a kid, I'd always do skits with my friends, and I did a school play when I was younger."
He contacted Mello and was assigned as co-director for the spring production, "Alice in Wonderland." When Mello left for college this year, Breuninger stepped up to the plate, armed with no formal training but passion and the skills Mello imparted on him.
"(The class), for me, is a way to do God's will," Breuninger said, "giving a safe place for these kids to go and get away from home and all the stresses from school and ... just have fun."
Breuninger said the kids get a snack after each practice. On Wednesday night, Breuninger emerged in the downstairs snack room to the actors enthusiastically chanting his name.
Among actors was Cecilia Coakley, whose portrayal of the Wicked Witch of West featured a hearty cackle much akin to the "The Wizard of Oz" movie's witch. This was Coakley's third time participating in the class, which she said is fun.
"I like hanging out with friends and acting and being someone that I'm not actually," Coakley said.
Amelia Breuninger, who played Dorothy, acted alongside siblings Ollie and Ben Breuninger, Toto and the Scarecrow respectively -- Asher Breuninger is her brother. Amelia Breuninger has been participating in the class for three years, though she said this one might be her last, on the stage at least. Having that much experience, she is able to "give advice and tips" to her younger siblings.
"My mom kind of forced me (to join the class)," she said. "I thought I was going to hate it, but I actually really liked it. ... (Acting) the most fun thing you can do and something I never really knew I liked. I actually found I had a deep passion for it."