A big Emporia plus
John E. Peterson, Special to the Gazette
Thursday, May 14, 2009
A couple of weeks ago, two of the Cravens girls spoke to a group I was fortunate to be in. I call them “Cravens girls” because they are the daughters of Wilma and Don Cravens, longtime acquaintances of mine. Actually, their names now are Penni Hansen and Susie LeGault.
Penni and Susie told us about the Young Thespian Players, an acting group they started and direct. I had heard of the group before, but knew little about it. Now, I know enough to think that it is a big plus for our Emporia community. And enough so that I would tell you about it, if I had my way. I am, indeed, going to have my way, so here we go.
Young Thespian Players, also known simply at YTP, has the goal of bringing very young people into acting activities, to get them involved in the theater. Young people from 8 years old on up — to about 15, I think — are permitted to be in the plays. And some of them help with the stage decorations and lighting, costumes and other theater things. The goal is to get them interested in the theatrical arts at an early age.
Penni and Susie get no compensation for all they do. They do it as a service and, of course, because it is of great fun for them. They do get cooperation from the Emporia Arts Council. The performances have been there and the Council cooperates in other ways. But it is Penni and Susie who do it. They would get considerable recognition for their fine work, if I had my way.
The YTP started in May of 2004. Penni started it. She has been involved with theater for over 40 years. She has a degree in theater. She has acted professionally in Kansas City, Denver, Colorado Springs and other places. She lived in New York and Minneapolis before moving back to Emporia. She wanted to find a way to give back to the community and saw a need for Emporia kids to have a theater interest.
Penni had been part of the Topeka Young Thespian Players in the 1960s. Those experiences stimulated her to get that sort of thing going in Emporia. She got the help of her sister, Susie LeGault, who also had had professional theater experience. And the help of her brother-in-law, Greg LeGault, who is the director of theater at Bethany College. Her parents, Wilma and Don, also pitched in to help get it started.
The first auditions were in the Amend Girl Scout Center. Fifteen kids showed up to audition for the play, “The King’s Creampuffs.” There were only 10 parts, but Penni double cast a few so that all kids could participate. They rehearsed in her home. No other place was available.
Since then, more than 60 kids have participated in a variety of shows. The shows were all different in order to give the children a challenge to different activities. The shows were all presented in the Emporia Arts Council theatrical room. It is not an easy place in which to work, but all went along pretty well.
The Young Thespian Players project has received some support. There have been arts grants from the State of Kansas and the Emporia Community Foundation. The Hopkins Foundation and the St. Patrick’s Day committee have also given assistance. Much more support could be useful.
As far as I know, Penni and Susie get no monetary compensation. Any funds go for the theatrical needs — stage things, costumes, etc. Penni and Susie just do it as a service, in my opinion. I commend them greatly for what they are doing for the community. What they have brought to us is a big Emporia Plus.
The Young Thespian Players have performed 10 productions for us here in Emporia. They have been comedies, musicals and mysteries. They have usually done two each year, but this year there will be three. They have all been presented at the Emporia Arts Council theater.
There has already been a presentation in March. Now, Penni and Susie have put out an announcement for auditions for two more this year. “Winnie-the-Pooh” will be performed at the Granada in July. A musical, “The Story of Hansel and Gretel,” will be performed at the Arts Council in August. Have your kids audition for them. Also, count on attending the productions.
Now that I know so much more about the Young Thespian Players program, I am going to send them some dollars. It is such a fine Emporia Plus that it should be supported. More of you, also, would support it, if I had my way.
Send your support dollars to the Emporia Arts Council, 618 Mechanic St. Designate it for Young Thespian Players. The Council will see that it goes for that use. Also, attend some of the performances.
I shall end by thanking Penni and Susie for the wonderful work they have done for our community. They would get thanks and support from more of you, also, if I had my way.