We were pretty amazed by how well these pint-sized triple threats were able to put it all together with the support of the Kidz Kabaret teachers. They focus on helping kids develop self-confidence while learning the many exciting aspects of theater production.įor my son, the Summer Theater Camp “Aladdin” performance at Kidz Kabaret led to the Fall program where he performed in “Annie Jr.” to the Winter program where he just finished “It’s a Fairy Tale Life” heading toward the Spring Program. “Non-Audition” means every kid gets a chance to perform even if that means having 15 different casts each with their own performance date. Today, their facility on Quincy Avenue is pretty incredible in terms of its size, theater and rehearsal space. Kidz Kabaret and its 501(c)(3) Fair Lady Productions is a Naperville-based non-audition children’s theater company that began in 2003 as a summer stock performance in Executive Director Kandiss Hernandez’s backyard. Of course, once he gets comfortable just sit back and enjoy the entertainment. The one detail I’ve left out is the fact my youngest son is a pretty shy kid and often struggles in relating and communicating with other kids. He loved the pottery class he took through our incredible Naperville Parks District and this Summer took the leap, participated in a Theater day camp at Kidz Kabaret here in Naperville and fell in love. Over the past few years, we’ve worked our way through soccer, t-ball, cub scouts, coach pitch baseball, football and pottery. While my oldest son is a natural-born competitive athlete, it’s been a process of elimination for my youngest son in his journey to discover his own unique niche. As a matter of fact, its been my experience that siblings tend to be opposite in personality, interests and behavior.Īs a parent, my dream for my children is for them to discover their own unique dream and support them as much as I can in their journey. July 26, Aug.My youngest son, pictured in the middle, has found his passion in theater through Kidz Kabaret.Īs any parent knows, no two children are the same. Kidz Kabaret presents “The Wizard of Oz” (Young Performers Edition)ħ:30 p.m. It’s more of a learning experience and they get more out of it as opposed to me just being real general with everything.” “It’s harder but it’s definitely necessary. I have to remember the individual kid and who I’m talking to, their strengths and weaknesses and how I can help them improve. “I have to pay more attention to detail as opposed to just saying everybody do this, everybody do that. But the results can have lasting effects. Guillory said the individual attention makes the production more challenging. The staff works with each child according to their strengths and weaknesses. “It really gives them artistic freedom to take these roles that everybody knows and put their own spin on it.”Īrtistic freedom is among the goals of Kidz Kabaret, Guillory’s summer program that lets children perform while learning all aspects of musical theater. We have Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Lion and the Tin Man but they all do their own thing with it, which I think is really cool. It’s really fun watching them create these iconic characters but in their own way. “I knew they’d have fun with it since they wanted to do it. It must have some kind of universal theme to it. Now these kids voted to do the show again. “That says something about the show and the timeless element of it,” said director Travis Guillory. The cast, ages 7 to 15, has been learning about performing arts and rehearsing for the past three weeks. It’s just fun.”īrody was among the young actors in last year’s Kidz Kabaret camp who voted unanimously to do “Oz” this year. “This is my favorite movie,” said Brody, who also attends L.J. ![]() Brody is only 11 years old, but can quote facts about Ray Bolger, who played the Scarecrow in the original movie. ![]() The impact of the film can be seen through Brody Walker, who plays the Scarecrow in the Kidz Kabaret production. The play is a young performer’s edition of the iconic 1939 film, which is an adaptation of Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Several generations have enjoyed the musical movie, which CBS TV has broadcasted annually since 1956. 2 at Cité des Arts in downtown Lafayette. Phoenix and a cast of 34 young actors perform in the Kidz Kabaret production of “Wizard of Oz,” which opens Friday and continues through Aug. ![]() I’ve always been kind of out of the ordinary.” ![]() “I like that it’s not normal,” said Phoenix, a student at L. She feels right at home with her ruby slippers and the rest of her offbeat cast - the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion. Phoenix Walker was anxious about her audition for “The Wizard of Oz.” Phoenix, 12, had been at “sleep away camp” and had only one day to prepare.īut Phoenix sang “I Dreamed a Dream’ from “Les Miserables” and landed the lead role of Dorothy.
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