CPAL’s student actors
Fourth-graders: Sarah Cope, Isabella Muddiman, Jenna Tomaszewski, Nicole Tomaszewsk
Fifth-graders: Carly Landers, Danielle Leaym, Rachel Messer, Hope Rieck. Jennifer Robinson
Sixth-graders: Toni Carter, Rebecca Fisher, Gabriel Hammann, Sophia Spivey, Haley Stevens, Emma Stiefel
Seventh-graders: Alexis Leaym, Malena McClory, Caleb Vanden Eynden
Eighth-graders: Grace Deutsch, Alyssa Troxel
11th-grader: Taylor Fanta
LIBERTY TWP. — Local residents will have an opportunity to see some of Lakota’s most talented young actors on stage.
Twenty-one students in grades four through 11 will participate in two plays with Children’s Performing Arts of Lakota. The performances are part of the Fine Arts Sampler Weekend, where many Cincinnati venues host free events celebrating the arts.
The theme of the weekend is jazz, so the shows — “All That Jazz,” written and directed by Jim Burton; and “Dancing Joe,” written and directed by Donna Roth — focus on music and dance.
Calling the shots for “All That Jazz” is student director Caleb Vanden Eynden, 13, who attends Liberty Junior School. Vanden Eynden has been participating in the group’s programs for several years, but this is his first directing job. He’s enjoying the experience.
“I just like the process,” he said. “At school, we don’t do too many performances, so this gives me another performance to do.”
Burton said the group aims to supplement the students’ arts education. The organization was created seven years ago by Steve Kuhn and Ben Dibble in response to arts programming cuts in Lakota schools. As arts education at Lakota has evolved, so has the group, he said.
The company offers drama classes and voice lessons in addition to productions, Roth said. The goal is for students to “get enrichment and have fun,” she said. The experience helps students build confidence and work as a team.
“Theater teaches everything,” Roth said. “It’s not just being on stage. It comes off stage, too.”
The young actors rehearse weekly and Roth said they love their time on the stage.
“I look forward to Wednesdays all the time,” said Taylor Fanta, a junior at Lakota East who shows off her vocal talent in “All That Jazz.”
Burton said he sees a lot of promise.
“They’re really talented kids,” he said. “I’m really proud of them for what they’re trying to do.”
The free Fine Arts Sampler Weekend begins at noon Feb. 12, at the Lakota East Freshman Campus, with the group taking the stage at 3 p.m.
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