OTA Children’s Troupe prep ‘Phantom Tollbooth’

By Matthew Nash • July 25, 2018 1:30 am
Bonne Smith, director of “The Phantom Booth” for Olympic Theatre Arts’ Children’s Troupe, speaks with Ava Fuller and Emily Loucks about their scripts for the upcoming play Aug. 31-Sept. 9. Photo by Pete Griffin
Bonne Smith, director of “The Phantom Booth” for Olympic Theatre Arts’ Children’s Troupe, speaks with Ava Fuller and Emily Loucks about their scripts for the upcoming play Aug. 31-Sept. 9. Photo by Pete Griffin

More than 20 children ages 8-15 with Olympic Theatre Arts’ children’s troupe prepare for its fourth summer production and second season opener for OTA later this summer.

With scripts in hand for the table read, organizers say actors eagerly consumed “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Susan Nanus, based on a book by Norton Juster.

“I had to slow them down. They were stuffing themselves with the elegant language and conundrums,” said director Bonne Smith.

“The excitement was palpable, voices soared as they tried on the sentences which gave way to laughter, surprise and them getting the inside out jokes.”

“The Phantom Tollbooth” runs Aug. 31-Sept. 9, with showings at 7 p.m. Fridays/Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $12 for the public, $10 for OTA Members, and available online at OlympicTheatreArts.org or during the weekdays from 1-5 p.m. at 360-683-7326.

Organizers say “The Phantom Tollbooth” is a fun, hysterical look at how we use words and how they’ve changed.

For this show, the troupe brings experienced child actors to the stage for the season opener along with some first time stage acting explorers.

Grayce Houle, who attended the OTA Summer week-long Theater Skills class, embraced her character, the Horrible Dynne, with engaging sound effects. Sweet Rhyme, played by Emily Loucks, was swinging Rhyme’s lines into a rap.

“Our youngest participant, Sage Moody, who also attended the OTA Summer class, signed up for ‘Phantom Tollbooth’ as a demon bringing his brother Leif, who wants to help backstage,” Smith said.

Kenzi Camp, a troupe veteran, loves her character Humbug’s lines, especially saying words like “Balderdash,” “Bosh,” and “Pure Bosh!”

Kenzi found Humbug’s personality interesting and she said it will push her to make choices in how to act Humbug’s story.

Amelie Mantchev, another OTA Children’s Theatre veteran, plays Tock the dog, and is also the costume designer. Amelie’s mash-up vision – a Futuristic Victorian view – endows the Land of Wisdom with a Sci-Fi fantasy twist.

OTA’s Children’s’ Theatre program is committed to introducing community youth to the magic of live theater, helping foster self-esteem, self-confidence and teamwork.