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Farmington Children’s Summer Theater Camp presents The Jungle Book Friday & Saturday

4 mins read
Talia Kidder, Emma Parsons, Grace Bell and Skyler Kidder learn how to be silly
Cast members, from left to right: Talia Kidder, Emma Parsons, Grace Bell and Skyler Kidder learn how to be silly during a rehearsal of Farmington Children’s Summer Theater Camp production of The Jungle Book this week. The play will be performed 7 p.m. Friday, July 31 and Saturday, Aug. 1 in the Bjorn Auditorium on the Mt. Blue High School campus.

FARMINGTON – Kat Zachary sits in the empty Bjorn Auditorium at Mt. Blue High School as a handful of kids goof around on stage, skipping, jumping and laughing.

“I’m trying to teach them that it’s okay to be silly. They do it all the time on their own but they need to be taught that they have permission to do it here,” Zachary explained. This is Zachary’s second year of directing the Farmington Children’s Summer Theater Camp, a job that she enjoys thoroughly.

This year’s two-week production is an adaptation of The Jungle Book. The play is mostly based off of Rudyard Kipling’s novel but uses music from the animated Disney movie as well. The entire production, from try outs to memorizing lines to the dress rehearsal and performances takes only three weeks.

“We have these amazing parents who work so hard on the costumes. Then we keep it really minimal with the backdrop and props. It keeps it simple,” Zachary said. Tomorrow is costume parade day, where all the cast members dress up and test out their outfits. “I teach them to be responsible for their own costumes and props. I want them to learn not only to love theater but also theater etiquette,” she said.

Zachary is a Mt. Blue High School graduate who just got a job teaching Social Studies at Mt. Blue Middle School. Although this is only her second year of directing, Zachary has always been involved with theater as a kid and throughout high school.

“I loved theater as a kid. It did so much for me. I really want these kids to feel the same way- to get excited about theater and maybe even continue doing it throughout their lives,” Zachary said. “Not only that but it opens so many doors- things like dancing and music and even just gaining confidence in speaking.”

The Jungle Book has led to a particularly fun year for the 24 participants, who are between the ages of 7 and 14. “This year we’re doing a lot of games involving how to move like animals, since almost all of the roles are animals. The younger kids do it with abandon but it’s around the age of 12 that they start getting self-conscious,” the director noted.

The play will hit the stage this Friday, July 31 and Saturday Aug. 1 with a 7 p.m. curtain. Tickets are sold at the door, $6 for adults and seniors and $4 for students and children. All proceeds benefit the Mt. Blue Music Boosters.

Kat Zachary directs the 23 cast members of the upcoming production of The Jungle Book
Kat Zachary directs the 24 cast members of the upcoming Children’s Summer Theater Camp production of The Jungle Book at the Bjorn Auditorium on the Mt. Blue High School campus. Performance is Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
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2 Comments

  1. Hope to see everyone at the performance.
    Thanks to Kat, the campers and the parents
    for sharing their children.

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