Area children to learn about cultures through CSC story theatre

According to CSC Theater Director Roger Mays, 12 CSC students have selected a folk tale from a certain country, adapted it and led the rehearsal and staging of their tale in a style known as story theatre.

Mays said dialogue, action and improvisation will be used to portray cultural, geographical, mythological, artistic and musical components of the tales.

“We hope this approach will prove to be not only a great entertainment for our young audiences, but also a strong co-curricular presentation,” Mays said.

The CSC students have compiled a study guide of about 60 pages including a variety of exercises such as crafts, coloring pages, links, holidays, customs, alphabets, word puzzles and science experiments.

Chadron Public Library Director Rosella Tesch will distribute the study guides to participating elementary schools. The Chadron Library Foundation is the sponsor of the event.

Schedule of elementary school performances:

Nov. 7 – Gordon/Rushville and Hay Springs

Nov. 14 – Hemingford and Alliance

Nov. 21 – Crawford and Harrison

Dec. 5 – Chadron State College, Memorial Hall

Tesch said Kenwood, Eastward, fifth and sixth grade students from Chadron Middle School, Oelrichs, Trunk Butte Christian School, the Prairie View Adventist School and area home-schooled, elementary-age children are invited to the Dec. 5 performance in M-Hall.

A touring set for the production is under construction in the Burkhiser building on campus. Ashley Daniels, a senior from Sheridan, Wyo., said work on a set usually starts about five weeks before a play and the crew has the set finished two weeks before the public performances begin so the cast can rehearse with it.

Daniels said the touring set components are designed by Scott Cavin for efficiency since the group will only have 90 minutes to set up lights, sound and set in each location. The stage also must be sturdy enough for the actors to dance on it.

Preparations also include costume design and construction.