Cultural corner
Local youth shine at children's theater
By Cristina Vegliante and MollyAnn O'Malley
Have you ever heard of the Meriden Youth Theatre, also known simply as MYT? MYT is a year round theatre program that welcomes performers ranging in age from 5 to 19 years old. If you love to sing, dance and act, you would really enjoy participating in this group.
MYT has a rich 21-year history of involving and educating Connecticut’s youth through theatre. Ms. Carolyn Daniels is the company’s lead director. She has been a theatrical performer ever since her elementary school years. Her first director, John P. Healy, Jr., was her primary inspiration and motivator. It was he who sparked her already blossoming creativity. The tradition of MYT is perfectly captured in its motto, "It's not how big a part you get, it's how big you make the part you get."
Joe Oblon is the company’s stage manager. Stage managers are a critical part of the theatre; they are responsible for the handling of props/sets, sound and lighting. Mr. Oblon is truly “a jack of all trades” as he also directs and helps “block” shows. Blocking determines where the actors should stand and move during a performance.
In addition, MYT has three more directors, Lindsay Pytel, Sam Edinger (an assistant director) and Kendra Henderson (the musical director). Lindsay co-directs shows with Joe. Sam assists too and is at rehearsals when needed. Kendra, as music director, works with all the students and is responsible for helping the cast learn the songs necessary for the company’s musical productions.
Have you ever heard of the Meriden Youth Theatre, also known simply as MYT? MYT is a year round theatre program that welcomes performers ranging in age from 5 to 19 years old. If you love to sing, dance and act, you would really enjoy participating in this group.
MYT has a rich 21-year history of involving and educating Connecticut’s youth through theatre. Ms. Carolyn Daniels is the company’s lead director. She has been a theatrical performer ever since her elementary school years. Her first director, John P. Healy, Jr., was her primary inspiration and motivator. It was he who sparked her already blossoming creativity. The tradition of MYT is perfectly captured in its motto, "It's not how big a part you get, it's how big you make the part you get."
Joe Oblon is the company’s stage manager. Stage managers are a critical part of the theatre; they are responsible for the handling of props/sets, sound and lighting. Mr. Oblon is truly “a jack of all trades” as he also directs and helps “block” shows. Blocking determines where the actors should stand and move during a performance.
In addition, MYT has three more directors, Lindsay Pytel, Sam Edinger (an assistant director) and Kendra Henderson (the musical director). Lindsay co-directs shows with Joe. Sam assists too and is at rehearsals when needed. Kendra, as music director, works with all the students and is responsible for helping the cast learn the songs necessary for the company’s musical productions.
Over the last two decades, MYT has produced many different kinds of performances. Its most recent productions were Into The Woods (directed by Joe Oblon & Lindsey Pytel), and Sendin’ Out Love (directed by Carolyn Daniels & the junior staff). This coming spring, MYT will present The Lion King Jr. Auditions for this show will be held for youths, aged Kindergarten through 12th grade, on January 13th & 14th. MYT helps participants develop confidence, communication skills, and community pride.
At MYT, everyone gets a part in the performance no matter what! If you would like further information about this dynamic program, please visit MYT’s website by clicking on the button below
At MYT, everyone gets a part in the performance no matter what! If you would like further information about this dynamic program, please visit MYT’s website by clicking on the button below
WMS presents: Highschool Musical Jr.
with Mrs. Mendes
By Lyna Faulkner and Cristina Vegliante
Recently we had the chance to interview Mrs.Mendes about our new school play, High School Musical, Jr. as well as her thoughts about auditions, running the play and finding a way to get it done in time for the curtain to go up!
Q: What made you decide to do High School Musical as the play this year?
A: High School Musical, Jr. is a fun play to do! It’s not as expensive put on, as something was a show like Beauty and the Beast, Jr. or The Lion King, Jr. was. In fact, the first play I did in Meriden was when I worked at Thomas Hooker Elementary in 2009, was High School Musical.
Q: How did you determine who got the lead parts?
A: The auditions were really tough. There are so many talented people and it’s hard to choose. When you’re watching the auditions you just have an instinct of just knowing who is best for each part.
Q: How do you decide which play you choose?
A: This year it was really hard for me to decide. I try to do shows that are not so old fashioned, I didn’t make a decision until the school year just started. It’s really hard for me to do something that I didn’t already do, but people seem really excited about it. This one (the play) seemed like the right fit for this year.
Q: What types of parts can kids students audition for?
A: Anyone that gives me a contract is in the show, and as long as you turn in a contract you are in drama club. As long as you follow the rules in the contract you could stay in drama club. This year all the kids who auditioned and didn’t get a speaking part were given the role of party kids and get to perform an extra song in the show.
Q: Does it ever get hard or frustrating trying to get everyone to do the correct choreography or to sing the songs just right?
A: With so many people involved in drama, rehearsals tend to become a little crazy. We all just become one big family, but rehearsals can become a little off track. We perform in a competition called music in the parks and we have won every time for the last four years, so it’s important for us to stay focused because we have a reputation to uphold.
Q: Is it hard to balance your personal life, teacher life, and drama life?
A: It’s definitely time consuming. I like to joke how when drama first starts that I have no life. It gets very busy with all the trips and performances, such as the car wash and the elementary school performances. I try to stay as organized as possible especially because at home I have a husband and a six year old daughter. I also have plenty of helpers, especially all the past drama club students and plenty teachers at WMS, Maloney, and even in the community; It makes life a lot easier with all of the people helping.
Q: Is the backstage crew as included in the musical as much as the on stage crew?
A: The backstage crew, while they are a big help and make the on stage crew look as best as possible, they don’t have to come to as many rehearsals. They usually don’t come till around the end of March or beginning of April. They don’t have to stay the whole year with us, but they are just as much a part of our drama family. We couldn’t do the show without them!
Recently we had the chance to interview Mrs.Mendes about our new school play, High School Musical, Jr. as well as her thoughts about auditions, running the play and finding a way to get it done in time for the curtain to go up!
Q: What made you decide to do High School Musical as the play this year?
A: High School Musical, Jr. is a fun play to do! It’s not as expensive put on, as something was a show like Beauty and the Beast, Jr. or The Lion King, Jr. was. In fact, the first play I did in Meriden was when I worked at Thomas Hooker Elementary in 2009, was High School Musical.
Q: How did you determine who got the lead parts?
A: The auditions were really tough. There are so many talented people and it’s hard to choose. When you’re watching the auditions you just have an instinct of just knowing who is best for each part.
Q: How do you decide which play you choose?
A: This year it was really hard for me to decide. I try to do shows that are not so old fashioned, I didn’t make a decision until the school year just started. It’s really hard for me to do something that I didn’t already do, but people seem really excited about it. This one (the play) seemed like the right fit for this year.
Q: What types of parts can kids students audition for?
A: Anyone that gives me a contract is in the show, and as long as you turn in a contract you are in drama club. As long as you follow the rules in the contract you could stay in drama club. This year all the kids who auditioned and didn’t get a speaking part were given the role of party kids and get to perform an extra song in the show.
Q: Does it ever get hard or frustrating trying to get everyone to do the correct choreography or to sing the songs just right?
A: With so many people involved in drama, rehearsals tend to become a little crazy. We all just become one big family, but rehearsals can become a little off track. We perform in a competition called music in the parks and we have won every time for the last four years, so it’s important for us to stay focused because we have a reputation to uphold.
Q: Is it hard to balance your personal life, teacher life, and drama life?
A: It’s definitely time consuming. I like to joke how when drama first starts that I have no life. It gets very busy with all the trips and performances, such as the car wash and the elementary school performances. I try to stay as organized as possible especially because at home I have a husband and a six year old daughter. I also have plenty of helpers, especially all the past drama club students and plenty teachers at WMS, Maloney, and even in the community; It makes life a lot easier with all of the people helping.
Q: Is the backstage crew as included in the musical as much as the on stage crew?
A: The backstage crew, while they are a big help and make the on stage crew look as best as possible, they don’t have to come to as many rehearsals. They usually don’t come till around the end of March or beginning of April. They don’t have to stay the whole year with us, but they are just as much a part of our drama family. We couldn’t do the show without them!