SRO Theater, Yelm Parks and Recreation collaborate for PLAY Summer Workshop

Standing Room Only (SRO) Theater and the City of Yelm’s Parks and Recreation Department recently collaborated to create a new theater-focused summer workshop for some of the youngest residents in Yelm with the inaugural launch of the PLAY Summer Workshop.
PLAY, standing for Performing Learning Aspiring Youth, allows for young area residents, kindergarten ages and up to learn about the art of theater and drama, all while preparing for a performance of their own.

“This is our first children’s summer workshop. This is a program we’ve talked about for a long time,” SRO Theater Board Member Daniel Wyman said. “This is our first year of putting it together and having a program for children and really the kids who are too young to do the other shows we’ll traditionally do.”

The organization has traditionally hosted events such as radio shows, musicals and even a Dungeons and Dragons interactive show, and while successful, it was hard to “even cast teenagers” due to the complexity of the shows.

“This gives an opportunity for the much younger children,” he said. “Kids who just finished their first year of kindergarten and are going into first grade and all the way up are going to be here. This program, this year, runs up to age 11.”

Dawn Emilia Young, SRO Theater’s vice president, said participants in the PLAY Summer Workshop have been preparing for a musical performance called “Swamped.” Two performances are set for Yelm City Park’s Centennial Stage at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 18, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 19.

“We’re working on a musical called ‘Swamped.’ It’s a journey in the swamp. It talks about a lot of the different animals in a swamp, such as frogs and tadpoles becoming frogs, and dragonflies,” Young said. “There’s a whole scene and song about the dragonflies going from the pupa stage all the way to flying around. The show also has a bully in it — bully frog.”
She added that two of the older casted students have been selected for the role of bully frog, and noted each actor has at least one line in the performance.

“It was really important for us to make sure every participant had a moment to shine in the spotlight,” Young said. “The bully frog has a nice journey and a transition with learning and growing, and ends up a little nicer in the end.”

Wyman and Young were each thankful that the City of Yelm’s parks and recreation department has allowed the organization to use their space at the Centennial Stage and inside Yelm Community Center for the summer program.

“It’s amazing to utilize this space. It’s only the second year of the Centennial Stage even being an option, so it’s exciting to utilize that and put something on for the community to enjoy,” Wyman said. “We’re really excited to bring this kind of workshop to the community. It’s something that we want to bring back every summer. The goal is to make sure this is something parents can put on their calendars and bank on. We’re looking forward to expanding it.”

Young added, “One of our big challenges, and what we’ve been working on, is understanding stage and theater terms with our participants and also how to project. How to articulate, and use not just your voice but your whole body to tell a story.”

She also gave a special thank you to Kelly Cornwall, Carolyn Cornwall, Tara Bastian, Sophia Tate and the “Stewards of the Arts” team for their help throughout the summer program. The Stewards of the Arts program includes Heidi Cornwall, Adrian Roberto, Fisher Cornwall, Oliver Barber, Kaydince Wampler, Ava Messler and Hazel Hick.

“It’s been something we’ve wanted for a really long time. It’s part of our mission statement to educate and bring the joy and magic of live theater to all ages and all stages,” Young said. “Kids like to go see a show, but it’s a different practice and discipline to come in and start learning how to not just be good on stage, but also understanding the importance of being a good audience member as well.”