Auditions being held Sunday for kids-only comedy
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Michael Cantrell works with West County students during the district’s theatre camp in 2022. Cantrell has written a one-act kids’ play and will hold auditions on Sunday. Pam Clifton
Calling all kids ages 6-16! Don’t miss the comedic one-act play written by Park Hills resident Michael Cantrell.
“Fairytale Court: The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf” is the story of the Big Bad Wolf on trial in Mother Nature’s court. Auditions are Sunday, April 7, at 2 p.m. at the new Mineral Area College Industry and Technology Center.
There are about 30 roles in this play. Adults and teens are also needed to volunteer to work as assistants and with behind-the-scenes tasks. Anyone interested in helping should email Cantrell at michaellainecantrell@yahoo.com.
Cantrell said kids can read their favorite fairytales or children’s books in different voices to prepare for auditions.
“We will be doing a cold read of selections from the script for auditions,” he said.
All students ages 6 to 16 are welcome to audition Sunday, but they must be accompanied, with a parent. No students may be dropped off at auditions.
The first rehearsals are April 10 and 11 at 6:30 p.m. All cast members must be present with a parent to read through the script and obtain important information. Regular rehearsals begin April 15 and are held Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
“Fairytale Court: The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf” will be presented in the style of a courtroom drama. The play is written by Cantrell, an instructor with the Mineral Area Fine Arts Academy.
“I wanted to parody the subject while still giving the kids something memorable and fun for this first outing in children’s theatre,” said Cantrell. “I was inspired to write this because on the main stage, we’ve had two shows that didn’t feature children back-to-back and I wanted to give the kids a show to be involved with during that time that is only kids.”
This will be the first all-kids cast for a MAFAA performance, which will be held on May 23 and 24 at 6 p.m. in the MAC Industry and Technology Center.
Cantrell said it’s important to have theatre “for kids to be done by kids.”
He’s thankful for the opportunity to write this script for this fun kids’ show.
“I’ve included several fairytale characters to fill out the courtroom,” he said. “Mother Nature is the judge of Fairytale Court, and she is working hard to give the wolf a fair trial, even if the other creatures aren’t making it easy for her.”
Cantrell is excited to give back to the community with this show. He wants to inspire kids to pursue theatre, whether on stage, directing, or writing.
Pam Clifton is a contributing writer for the Daily Journal.
