OTA offers youth acting opportunities this winter

Young actors and Olympic Theatre Arts are once again teaming up to warm up Sequim’s winter days with a flurry of on-stage activities.

OTA’s Winter Theatre Workshop returns with a week-long stage film project from Dec. 30-Jan. 4, at the Olympic Theatre Arts Center, 414 N. Sequim Ave.

Continuing the story of the “Flip Flop Flotilla” — a play-writing project pioneered by OTA’s youth writers group called The Tidepool Times — youth actors focus on the development of a short stage film where they start with a bare stage, build the set, costumes and film it, all within one week.

Actors explore stage crafts for film, working in teams to hone skills and learning new roles. As part of a production team, the students act, direct, produce and create characters who tell the story.

The workshop is for ages 8–18 and runs daily, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Dec. 30-Jan. 4 (except Jan. 1).

Registration forms available online at OlympicTheatreArts.org.

Children’s theatre tour sets audition

Olympic Theatre Arts sponsors the return of the Missoula Children’s Theatre Tour to Sequim.

Tour organizers host auditions for the musical production “Peter & Wendy” at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, in the Sequim High School cafeteria, 601 N. Sequim Ave.

Two performances are scheduled: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, at the Sequim High School auditorium, 533 N. Sequim Ave.

Those auditioning should arrive with ample time to complete a short participation form before auditions begin promptly at 3:30 p.m. and plan to stay for the full two hours. Some cast members will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the audition.

About 50-60 roles are available for local students. All students, from youths in grades kindergarten through 12th grade, are encouraged to audition. No advance preparation is necessary.

Most students rehearse two hours each day, Monday through Friday, Jan. 6-10, with principal characters sometimes called for four hours.

Thespians Class Series, youth theatre set

Jellybeans, the Winter 2020 Afternoon Young Thespians Class Series, returns to OTA on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m., Jan. 14-March 18. This 10-week class session with Lorra Cornetet explores creative story-telling and theatre basics through imaginative, interactive games. The final class ends with a showcase presentation to parents and invited guests where these enthusiastic thespians show off what they have learned.

Youth Theatre – Renaissance of the Bard! returns on Wednesdays from 3:30–5:30 p.m., Jan. 15-March 18, at OTA. A 10-week class session for ages 8–18 is led by Bonne Smith and Sarah Tucker, who tell and retell some of Shakespeare’s most famous scenes and sonnets. Young actors will also have the opportunity to participate in an Olympic Theatre Arts fundraising production, working with adult actors in a March Shakespearean Renaissance Faire.

Registration forms for both class sessions are available online at OlympicTheatreArts.org.

For more

Find more information about Olympic Theatre Arts, visit www.OlympicTheatreArts.org or call the OTA business office at 360-683-7326 between 1-5 p.m., Monday–Friday.

The Fall Jellybeans class strikes silly poses after their stage performance. Pictured, from left, are Banyan Nelson, Ellie Grace Hannam, Egan Owie, Josie Basset and Alana Polizzi. Photo courtesy of Olympic Theatre Arts

The Fall Jellybeans class strikes silly poses after their stage performance. Pictured, from left, are Banyan Nelson, Ellie Grace Hannam, Egan Owie, Josie Basset and Alana Polizzi. Photo courtesy of Olympic Theatre Arts