The play’s the thing at Geauga Lyric Theatre Guild

Reading about young thespians performing plays on our area stages is not an uncommon experience in this space. But reading about young thespians directing shows is less common.

And writing them? Almost never happens.

Next week, however, you can see exactly that at Geauga Lyric Theatre Guild in Chardon.

Young playwrights from all over Northeast Ohio submitted their plays and four were selected. Student directors, costume designers, prop designers, and tech crew applied for and were chosen for each production.

The four directors held auditions and cast out of a group of students ages 10-18 and have been working together with the playwrights and their student production team to put together each show. On Oct. 17 and 18 the original shows will debut at GLTG.

“Carschool” is written by Mary Proctor, 13, and directed by Kaia Bulkoski, 17. The play revolves around a typical morning car ride to school when two siblings discover exactly how the people they trust and respect the most view their mom.

And it’s not exactly what this brother and sister would expect to hear.

Izzy Glauser, 13, has written “What You Didn’t Know” and is being directed by Kat Magalski, 16. In this show, Catherine — a witness to the Kent State shooting — comes to term with her past and current life through examining letters she wrote to herself as a child.

“Within the Playwriting Festival I am not only directing ‘What You Didn’t Know,’ but I’m also performing as Mom in ‘Carschool,’” Kat tells me. “This festival has been such an amazing experience thus far — every single one of the actors involved, whether new to the theater or veterans, are so talented and driven to learn these shows in such a short period, and it has blown me away.”

Kat is a junior at West Geauga High School who has found this festival a real learning experience.

“I’ve grasped so much from this process and I’m sure I’ve only just grazed my fingers against the tip of the iceberg,” Kat says. “Just being in charge of an entire show — showing the actors where they move, helping them with lines, ensuring they know how to deliver said lines — has been the most amazing and eyeopening experience.

“‘What You Didn’t Know’ is a challenging show to direct, but every single one of the actors involved have taken the process so unbelievably seriously and are so very dedicated to making sure the message is clear and reaches the audience. I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of kids to work with, and I wouldn’t trade them, or simply just being involved, for anything.”

“This experience has been so crazy incredible for me,” Izzy agrees. “It’s amazing to watch the show you put all those hours and hard work into come to life onstage. For ‘What You Didn’t Know,’ Kat has been such a great director and asked me for my opinions on things which I’m sure most writers don’t get the pleasure of doing. I also got to costume my show which was so fun after imagining how someone would costume it for several months.

“As for ‘Just One Moment,’ I think the show is definitely something special and was also truly special to costume. I loved having this experience and I’m so excited to watch and see the shows come to life.”

“Just One Moment” was written by Eden Wheeler, 14, and is being directed by Mary Proctor.

The story revolves around two actors, who decide that they are going to save a theater by writing a musical.

There is also “For Good For Good” by Maddie Ferguson, 14, being directed by Bethany Truax, 17. The story involves heroes Damien Shay and Silversaige.

Can they work together to fight a new group of villains?

“This process has been so incredibly cool to see!” Maddie tells me. “Watching my words be interpreted and put into action is something I never imagined could have happen and is very surreal.

“I am so grateful that my play was selected to be put on! I would encourage everyone to come see the shows. All the casts and creative teams have put so much effort into the playwriting festival and it’s going to pay off in the end!”

Prop and costumes designers for the four plays are Ellie Ramos, Hailey Karban, Kaia Bulkoski, Izzy Glauser, and Madison Schooler.

Best of luck to these young thespians as they stretch their legs in some new theatrical directions.

Silhouette Productions

Elsewhere, you can also check out a new show from Silhouette Productions at Shore Cultural Centre.

Their current musical is “Shrek,” featuring Adam Harris as the title ogre and Rebecca Riffle Polito as Princess Fiona. This popular modern musical is based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks animated smash hit film.

The stage version was nominated for eight Tony Awards. Songs include opening number “Big Bright Beautiful World,” “I Think I Got You Beat,” and “Build a Wall.”

“Shrek the Musical” runs weekends Oct. 12 -21, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

Advance purchase tickets are available at $15 for adults and $13 for those over 60 and under 17 years; at the door is $17 for adults and $15 for those over 60 and under 17 years. To purchase tickets, call 216-219-3630, visit www.shoreculturalcentre.com, or in person at Shore Cultural Centre, room 143, 291 E. 222nd St. in Euclid.

More information can be found on the website or by calling Shore at 216289-8578.

Next week, I will profile some young thespians making their presence known in this fairy tale.

Break a leg opening weekend!

Young Thespians is a regular column that focuses on youth in theater. Do you have a production you wish to see featured? E-mail stevecouch@windstream. net, follow me @ StevenRCouch on Twitter or join our “Young Thespians” Facebook group and post your show information.

Young Thespians Steve Couch