CRT gears up for annual Kid Show

CREEDE— The Creede Repertory Theatre (CRT) is pleased to announce that the 2017 KID Show will air on July 20-22. The KID Show is a nationally recognized production that is put on by local children from around the Valley. The project began several years ago as the theatre wanted to begin reaching out to area youth and bring them into the life of live theatre. Through the years, the staff and crew at CRT have worked miracles for youth in the Valley by bringing this fun and free program to those who wish to see the underbelly of what it takes to create live theatre.
According to the program description, CRT invites children to come and see what it takes to be part of the stage. “The KID Show‘s mission is to provoke and empower the creative minds of local youth while placing them in a professional environment and encouraging them to play. Since 2003, as part of CRT’s annual summer season, a professional team of actors, directors, playwrights, painters, designers and stage managers mentor local kids (ages 10–17) through the process of creating a fully produced, original show. Participants are involved in every aspect of the play-making experience from the very beginning; they learn production values and assist in building costumes, scenery and puppets while rehearsing the play they ultimately perform in CRT’s state-of-the-art Ruth Humphreys Brown Theatre.”
This is the 15th season that CRT has participated in this nationally recognized children’s program aptly named The KID Show after its many participants. Youth Program Director Johamy Morales and several teaching artists from CRT bring children in from around the Valley and place them in a professional setting only to teach them how to have fun. Each child that participates gets the unique opportunity to learn about professional theatrical productions and what it takes to make a high-quality performance.
In the past four years, The KID Show has had the privilege to be nominated for the National Arts and Humanity Award that is supported by former First Lady Michelle Obama. The program has made it to the top finalists all four years and has been recognized by Animating Democracy which is a program of American for the Arts, for fostering social change through the arts, according to Morales.
CRT teaching artists lead a short class on theatre fundamentals and speake with students about the process for making the production, which is called I, MAC(kers) this season. According to the play’s description it states, “Now in its 15th season, the KID Show program will debut a play called I, Mac(kers), based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. I, Mac(kers) uses spoken word to tell the story of aspiring thespian, Martyn, who lets social media and technology fuel his ambition. Will he resist the temptation of cyberbullying or will he compromise his morals by allowing technology to spread rumors and manipulate others? Join us for three weeks of compelling, explosive and colorful storytelling!”
The educational program implemented by Morales is called The Voice of Creede. According to Morales, “This educational program is geared for students interested in any aspect of theatre: design, writing, directing, production and performance. Through research, writing, acting and community engagement students learn about a specific theme and gain collaborative skills. This program culminates in an original piece based on their experience and research that is performed for the community. The goal of this program is to connect students to their surrounding communities in order to build relationships, expose them to pertinent issues, and empower them through the arts. My hope is that we can branch out this curriculum to surrounding communities in the SLV.”