"We're Working on It" is what the members of Reichhold's Youth Theatre are doing. That's the title of their summer production that takes to the stage Saturday and Sunday (July 24/25) with performances at 3 and 7 p.m. both days in the Little Theatre on the University of the Virgin Islands St. Thomas campus.
Oriented for kids but enjoyable for all ages, this is the fourth show produced and presented by the young people's repertory group that got its start as a summer activity last year and evolved into a year-round program.
Don't think that the title means a performance that's not ready for prime time. What it refers to is the process of acting. The monologues, skits and stories they young thespians are offering this weekend are keyed to demonstrating the "skills that acting has taught them and that acting requires of them," program director Andrew Heller says.
The RYT members, 10 to 17 years of age, handle all aspects of their productions — from creating the scripts to constructing the sets to operating the sound and light systems to appearing onstage. In this show, they will step out of their parts at times and explain to the audience what techniques they are employing, such as "using focus as an anchor." In a "mirror image" routine, sets of actors mime reflections of each others' motions and expressions. In improvisation exercises, they are provided basic props but must make up their own action and/or dialogue.
According to Heller, show-goers can expect a lot of the humor and audience involvement that characterized the group's first show, "What If… ," a year ago. The offerings include a version of "The Dating Game," "The Wolf Who Cried Boy" (yes, that's right) and the Dr. Seuss classic "Horton Hatches the Egg." (No one who attended "What If…" can forget last year's Seuss spectacular, "Green Eggs and Ham.")
This summer, Heller has offered a separate course in acting to the older, experienced students. Those youth are helping to direct and stage manage "We're Working on It" and will star in their own presentation the following weekend of two one-act plays. In addition to Heller, the RYT staff consists of instructor Denise Humphrey and program coordinator Jennifer Heller.
Tickets are $5 for adults as well as young people. They're available at the Reichhold box office and will be sold at the door before each show. Those needing group seating should make reservations in advance. To do so or to learn more, call 693-1559.
