Telluride's Main Street is quiet, but the theater at the Sheridan Opera House is filled with song, dance, and theater. Over the next two weeks, the Sheridan Arts Foundation's Young and Non-Yo Young People's Theater will open its doors to all ages with two of his productions and auditions for his third.
The first to emerge was the children's version of Finding Nemo.
“It's a lovely, moving, sweet piece,” said Leah Heidenreich, artistic director of the Sheridan Arts Foundation Young People's Theater (SAFYPT).
Director Heidenreich's “Finding Nemo'' will feature 30 young actors ranging from third to fifth grade and will be performed from Friday to Sunday, May 3-5.Friday and Saturday shows are at 6 p.m., Sunday matinee is at 4 p.m.
Heidenrich had wanted to do this show for a long time.
“'Finding Nemo' has always been on my bucket list, but I had to wait until the royalties came in,” she explained.
As soon as it happened last year, Ms. Heidenreich said, she went for it.
“It's amazing to see how excited the kids are about this show. They're having so much fun and working so hard,” she said.
Jaden Casanova, a fourth-grade theater student who plays the character Bubbles, said he was looking forward to this weekend's evening show and encouraged the audience to see it.
“It's a fun show. We've been working hard and we can't wait for you to enjoy our performance. Mrs. Lear will be happy to help us put on this show for you. He worked hard to guide us.”
Casanova is one of the actors who, along with several others, plays a major role as one of the many voices that make up the powerful ensemble.
“Even if the actors play a small role, they are still important to the team because we sing on many songs,” he said.
“Audiences will love seeing kids get into the shadowy characters,” Heidenreich said.
And they'll love the music, she added.
The Music Theater International website described the show as fun and lovely.
“Featuring memorable songs like “Just Keep Swimming,'' “Fish Are Friends Not Food,'' and “Go With the Flow,'' Finding Nemo Kids takes you on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure. Bringing a vibrant underwater world to life.
It's also a show specifically aimed at parents, Heidenreich said.
“The themes of this show really hit home for parents. It touched me in a way I never would have thought of until my daughter was born,” she said. “This is a story about the intense and abiding love that parents have for their children, and the belief that they raised them to go out into the world and make their own decisions, their own mistakes, their own life choices. . Seeing the kids perform these themes makes it even more special.”
Next Thursday, May 9th, Jennifer Nyman-Julia will lead a group of 19 high school actors, ranging from grades 8 to 12, in a one-act production of You're the One That I Want, a condensed version of the original story. was directed. Julia founded SAFYPT as long ago as 1998 in the dusty pages of opera house history.
“This story is about the high school production of 'Grease,' and all the people who decided to audition and why they wanted to be a part of it,” Julia said. “Essentially, this is a play about how theater can bring different people together and unite them through the creative process.”
“I love playwriting and directing,” she added. “My cast is really fun and passionate about creating honest and interesting characters. I think they're especially excited about this show because next year's YPT High School production is going to be 'Grease.' , this is a fun little warm-up.”
Finally, Mr. Heidenreich invited everyone ages 6 and up (adults included) to attend the Sheridan Arts Foundation's Not So Young People's Theater production of “Into the・I was invited to the audition for “Woods''.
“Into the Woods'' is last year's “Meet Me in St. Louis,'' 2022's “The Sound of Music,'' and “I Love You, You're Perfect,'' “Now Change.'' It will be performed in 2021. “Into the Woods” will run from October 24th to 27th, 2024.
Tickets and audition applications are available online. sheridaoperahouse.com.