TERRE HAUTE — Imagine learning 19 songs, hundreds of dramatic lines and stressful dancing routines within three weeks to present a free outside musical production for your community.
That has been the task for about 100 students, teachers and staff members of the Vigo County School Corp. in the 19th Performing Arts Workshop. This year’s production features Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” on Wednesday and Thursday, starting at 6:30 each night, at the Fairbanks Park Amphitheater.
Since its inception in 1990, PAW has given budding actors, singers, musicians and artists a unique summer repertory theatrical experience. It was started by Rex Magner, former choir director at Terre Haute North Vigo High School, and has continued through a legion of dedicated music, choir and theater teachers. Past PAW productions have featured “Annie,” “The Music Man,” “Brigadoon,” and “Annie Get Your Gun.”
Rehearsals for this year’s “Beauty and the Beast” show began on June 8 — meaning no summer break after concluding the school year — and continue through opening night on Wednesday.
“Keeping a strict schedule of rehearsal and daily prop gathering is central to getting it all done,” admitted Terre Haute South Vigo High School choir director Kathy Anderson, who is directing her second PAW show.
Production coordinator Jill Brewer said, “I love the kids and theater. This is a unique way to combine both and it showcases some very talented youths in our community.” Brewer, a retired middle school orchestra director, is spending her 18th summer with PAW.
Choreographer Quincy DelColletti has returned to Terre Haute this summer from teaching in South Carolina to participate in her 15th production.
“I love what PAW provides for the kids,” she said. “They don’t get any better than theater kids. They are funny and smart, and I never have more fun than I do choreographing for students.”
Other teachers helping mentor the students in this program include orchestra conductor Wade Winston, band director at Sarah Scott Middle School; technical director Paul Ellison, choir director at Chauncey Rose Middle School; chorus director Dan Tryon; assistant technical director Tyler Hutcheson of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College; costume designer Jessica Becker and her assistant Joni Hooper.
“I love seeing the look of accomplishment on the students’ faces when they complete the show. They deserve it because they work really hard,” said Winston, who is assisting with his 15th PAW production. “Seeing the community support that this program gets is also very satisfying.”
“Beauty and the Beast” is a classic love story between Belle, a beautiful, young woman and a frightening beastly-like character who is really a charming prince that’s been cast under a mystic spell. The show features such popular songs as “Be Our Guest,” “Belle” and, of course, “Beauty and the Beast.”
Performing the role of Belle is Abby Cunning, a junior at Terre Haute North and a veteran PAW actress, while Matt Hooper is the Beast. In other parts are Jordan Allen as Gaston, Savannah Richardson as Mrs. Potts, Marcus Steiner as Maurice, Samantha Thiede as Babette, Abel Waston as Lefou, Layke Fowler as Chip, Cole Bennett as Cogsworth, Cecilia Gray as Madame Bouche, Jesse Outlaw as Madame D’Arque, Vincent Butler as Prince and Kaylie Gambill as Sorceress. Playing the Silly Girls will be Keia Friend, Samantha Ivaturi, Catherine Rink, Kate Shaw and Megan Outcalt.
“PAW gives me a chance to do something that I love [acting and singing] outside of school,” Cunning said. “No other shows that I have been in have had the same feel that PAW creates for the people involved. It’s challenging but when we all work, we end up pulling through — together.”
The chorus includes Karis Anderson, Caitlin Barnaby, Elizabeth Beddow, Calli Beighley, Mercedez Bray, Ellie Brown, Susan Brown, Kendra Carpenter, Kassie Chalos, Skyler Cottrell, Catherine Duree, Natalie Earl, Wiliam Edwards, Michaela Gambill, Kati Gaston, Jaena Gormong, Cassandra Guarino, Richard Hansen, Miranda Harper, Alexis Hedges, Gayle Henderson, Kilie Hoffa, Stephenie Holley, Austin Hooten, Angel Hyde, Samantha Ivaturi, Madison King, Rose Landaverde, Promise Large, Tiffany Lee, Hunter Lumsdon, Alexandria Maras, Morgan Outcalt, Milton Outlaw, Brandon Pershing, Laura Pinkens, Katrina Plank, Zack Purdue, Sarah Schikora, Matt Shaw, Sarah Sim, Alexa Smith, Ashlee Smith, Dario Stephens, Kylie Stranahan, Lane Sullivan, Elizabeth Tock and Kaitlyn Wallace.
Musicians in the orchestra are Colin Boggs, Olivia Carson, Ashton Dillion, Jonathon Ellinger, Autumn Long, Kasy Long, Kristan Morris, Aaron Mutchler, Dylan Newkirk, Emily Okamoto, Kyle Perry, Dixie Sanders, Autumn Trifone and Zachary Weaver.
Trifone, a violin player, has returned for her second year in the orchestra.
“I think PAW has made it easier for me to play in the school orchestra and it really makes me appreciate music. PAW is a great way to spend time with my friends that go to other schools. I would choose PAW over sitting at home in the summer any day,” she said.
Members of the technical crew are John Chesterfield, Matt Clinkenbeard, Zoe Cottom, Jonathan Dang, Chris Farrell, Kathy Garcia, Diamond McDonald, Kathleen Owens, James Padan, Micah Palmer, Tiereny Pollard, Erin Sluyter and Aaron Todd.
Arts
Performing Arts Workshop features ‘Beauty and the Beast’
- Arts
-
-
Terre Haute artist putting ‘The Good Housewife’ on exhibit in New Harmony
Former Terre Haute artist Mary Ann Michna will exhibit a series of mixed media artworks titlted “The Good Housewife” at the Women’s Institute and Gallery in New Harmony.
-
Traveling Civil War exhibit makes history personal
Civil War history will come alive for visitors to the Sullivan County Public Library who experience “Faces of the Civil War,” a traveling exhibition created and managed by the Indiana Historical Society.
-
‘All Dolled Up’ exhibit opens today VU’s Shircliff Gallery
“All Dolled Up,” an exhibition of handmade dolls, will open today at Vincennes University’s Shircliff Gallery of Art.
-
Bolte Taylor exhibit will feature 5-foot-tall brains
An Indiana brain scientist whose memoir about her recovery from a stroke became a best-seller has dreamed up an exhibit featuring giant brains that will be mounted around Bloomington this spring.
-
RCAA member presents ‘Waterfalls’ at Vigo Library
February brings a stunning exhibit of waterfalls by photographer Spencer Young to the Vigo County Public Library in Terre Haute.
-
River Wools’ Stitch Red/Wear Red part of First Friday events
Downtown Terre Haute’s First Friday is a monthly evening that encourages collaboration among downtown merchants, museums, galleries, and university and commercial venues.
-
Swope kicks off anniversary with ‘Reflecting’ exhibit
Swope Art Museum will kick off its 70th anniversary by hosting the exhibition, “Reflecting Terre Haute,” Friday through March 10 in the Haslem and Hodge galleries.
-
New Arts Corridor banners now hanging downtown
Arts Spaces Inc. recently worked with ISU’s Energize Downtown on a contest for a new banner design for the Arts Corridor.
-
Theater: Jan. 19, 2012
Today-Feb. 4 — “DEBBIE DOES DALLAS,” musical at Theatre on the Square, 627 Massachussetts Ave., Indianapolis. Call (317) 685-8687.
-
Actor to portray Lincoln at dinner for historical society
A special program, “And Lincoln Wrote,” is coming to Harlan Hall in Marshall, Ill., with a featured presentation by Dick Benach as Abraham Lincoln and Chuck Hand as the publisher of the Prairie Beacon.
-
BOOKS: Wabash Valley author to sign books at Java Haute on Saturday
Brazil resident Marjorie E. Hopkins will sign copies of her Christian Life book, “Dying to Meet Him: Wit and Wisdom from a Funeral Director’s Wife” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday in Java Haute, at 3805 Wabash Ave.
-
‘Magic School Bus Live!’ cruises into Rose
America's favorite bus zooms to the stage at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Hatfield Hall Theater on the campus of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
BOOKS: Rockville Library partners with Vigo for Big Read
Rockville Public Library and Rockville Correctional Facility’s vocational program (offered by Ivy Tech) are partnering with the Vigo County Public Library for The Big Read.
-
LTC offers murder mystery, singing valentines
To raise money for its spring trip to St. Louis, Lincoln Trail College’s Music Department is offering two sweetheart deals just in time for Valentine’s Day.
-
Chase away winter blues at Harlan Hall Sock Hop
Join the Harlan Hall Entertainment Committee for a fabulous night of fun and frolic at the Winter Wild Sock Hop on Saturday at Harlan Hall.
-
Halcyon features Petra Nyendick, Ray Chen this month
This month, Halcyon Art Gallery’s North Gallery is presenting a collaboration, featuring works of art by Ray Chen and Petra Nyendick.
-
Enter 2012 Max Ehrmann Poetry Competition by Feb. 24
The Wabash Valley Outdoor Sculpture Collection and Arts Illiana are seeking entries for the 2012 Max Ehrmann Poetry Competition.
-
Swope achieves coveted accreditation
Long an anchor of the Wabash Valley cultural scene, Swope Art Museum has once again achieved national recognition.
-
One of Clabber Girl’s own showcases photography at museum
Denise Turner, a graphic designer at Clabber Girl Museum Gallery, will showcase her photography through Jan. 31 in the museum gallery at Ninth Street and Wabash Avenue.
-
Museums and Exhibitions: Dec. 15, 2011
• Downtown
• Vigo County
-
‘Gilligan’s Island of Death’ up next at Castle Finn dinner theater
Castle Finn Winery near Marshall, Ill., is planning its next murder mystery dinner for Jan. 21. Tickets go on sale today.
-
Christmas comedy opens Friday at Old Town Players in Vincennes
The Christmas comedy play “Dashing Through the Snow” opened Dec. 9 at the Old Town Players Theatre and Arts Center, 432 Broadway St., in Vincennes.
-
‘The Swan’ captures imagination of 10-year-old boy circa 1957
Had Kurt Vonnegut, William Saroyan, J.D. Salinger, Carlos Castaneda, Raymond Carver and James Thurber ever gathered at a writer’s workshop to co-author a short novel, the product might well have been “The Swan.”
-
River City to feature artist Don Turner in January
River City Art Association and the Vigo County Public Library will feature art by Don Turner for the month of January in the library at Seventh and Poplar streets.
-
See ‘A Christmas Carol’ on Tilson stage at ISU
A Christmas classic is coming to Indiana State University’s Tilson Auditorium. “A Christmas Carol” will be performed for one night only on Tuesday by nationally known production company NTC Productions.
-
CT presents ‘A Christmas Story’
That favorite holiday movie classic, “A Christmas Story,” comes to life on the stage of Community Theatre of Terre Haute this month under the direction of Tina Thomas.
- Dance lessons: Dec. 8, 2011
-
ISU students create plays inspired by Swope collection
Indiana State University theater professor Arthur Feinsod thinks that to be a true artist, one must have an appreciation and respect for all of the arts.
-
‘Whiter-Morn’ exhibition at Bicentennial Art Center in Paris
The Bicentennial Art Center and Museum at 132 S. Central Ave., in Paris, will host a reception from 5 to 6:30 p.m. CST today to open its current exhibit, “Whiter-Morn,” featuring photography by R. John Ferguson of Terre Haute.
-
Rose fall exhibit showcases textile art, landscape paintings
Hoosier artists Julie Sermersheim and Jerry Smith are featured in the fall exhibition that cover the renovated hallways of Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Moench Hall. The main campus classroom building hosts large exhibits each fall and spring to showcase Wabash Valley and Indiana artists.
- More Arts Headlines
-
Terre Haute artist putting ‘The Good Housewife’ on exhibit in New Harmony
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fans 'Speechless' Over Houston's Death
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Snow Strands Italian Towns
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Video of M.I.A's Obscene Halftime Gesture
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Stocks Fall Sharply As Greek Deal Is Held Up
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Exclusive Video: Bobbi Kristina Leaving Hospital
2012 Grammys: Rihanna
Raw Video: Aurora Borealis As Seen From Space
2012 Grammys: Taylor Swift
Exclusive Video - Whitney's Bodybag
FUEL TV: Punk Payback Gym tips
Whitney's Final Days - EXCLUSIVE
First glimpse of Blue Ivy Carter
Lusetich: AT&T Rd. 3 recap
Peek inside Barbie's closet
Romney Tops Santorum in CPAC Straw Poll
Madonna's Daughter Shaves Head
Angry Dad Shoots Teens Laptop
Absolute Lin-sanity
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Test on Comforter in Powell Unit Shows Blood
Hero Driver Saves Kids From Burning Bus
Funeral to be held for Powell boys
