Northern Stage Ensemble Brings Beloved Children’s Books to Life

Families throughout the area will enjoy "Literature Alive," a music- and dance-filled tribute to some of the most beloved works of children’s literature, performed by the Northern Stage Ensemble, a dedicated troupe of 22 talented young actors, ages 8-18, from New Hampshire and Vermont.

"Literature Alive" will be performed Saturday, June 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 22 at 2 p.m. at the Briggs Opera House in White River Junction. For tickets and information, call 802-296-7000.

This benefit showcase features scenes and musical numbers celebrating books from the historical to the hysterical, with scenes, songs, and musical numbers drawn from a wide range of American children’s literature, including "Winnie-the-Pooh," "Anne of Green Gables," "The Wizard of Oz," and many more.

Proceeds from "Literature Alive" will benefit the Northern Stage Ensemble. Selected through open auditions, ensemble members learn about all aspects of theater onstage and backstage—from acting and directing to lighting, costumes, set design and theater administration—with instruction from highly trained theater professionals. They also take on significant leadership roles, and some of them work backstage at Northern Stage productions.

"The kids in the ensemble are here because theater is where their passion lies," says Jody Davidson, Northern Stage’s Director of Education. "They’re getting a top-level theater apprenticeship from some of the best professionals in the business, they work very hard, and their commitment shows. It’s a unique opportunity for young people to gain practical hands-on practical experience with an Equity LORT-D theater. If a child has a passion for theater and wants to explore all aspects of production in a professional setting, the ensemble is the only program of its kind in the region."

Ensemble members have worked in key positions on such shows as "Disney’s Beauty and The Beast," "The Full Monty," and "The Elephant Man," as well as handling all ushering and house management positions at the final matinee of every show this season. Members have also made their mark as performers, with six working professionally with Equity theaters around New England, and one on Broadway. Davidson says the Ensemble Showcase will give all ensemble members a chance to perform on stage and demonstrate their skills as actors and all-around theater professionals.

"For this production, ensemble members will run lights, sound, props, and costumes, work the front of the house, and perform. They even designed the poster!"

Upcoming ensemble events include fall auditions to expand the group from 22 to 28 students, and a season of family theater at the Briggs Opera House, which will eventually go on tour to small rural New England communities. There are also plans for "K2K–TA" (Kids to Kids—Theater Arts), a unique new outreach program in which ensemble members will share their love of theater with their peers in outlying communities, mentoring and teaching all the skills they have mastered.

For more information about Northern Stage’s ensemble program, call Davidson at 802-291-7029 or e-mail her at education@northernstage.org.

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