This spring, the Oswego Children’s Theater will be presenting a reprise production of the teen drama “Juvie†for the fourth time eight years. The show was first preformed by OCT, in the spring of 2003 and since then has been presented dozens of times with three different casts. “Juvie†has also been seen in many different venues including, on stage at the Frances Marion Brown Theater, as a touring production in many of the schools in the Oswego School district and at the Akwasasne Mohawk Indian Reservation near Massena N.Y.
The staff of The Oswego Children’s Theater has always felt that it was part of their mission to not only to promote dramatic expression through the production of theater, but also to use it as an educational tool. A key part in this education process is Director Lyndsie Lee Jones, who has been involved with all the previous productions of the show. In addition to just learning their parts, Jones has insisted, that the members of her cast fully research their characters to get a sense of what it would be like to be in the same position. This not only adds to the realism of the show, it also educates the cast members and through them hopefully the public about the problems facing modern youth.
“Juvieâ€Â, takes place in a Juvenile Detention Center lockup. It tells the tale of a group of young teens that are brought into “Juvie†for crimes ranging from shop lifting to murder. Each of the teens narrates their own story about how they got to where they are.
The second show, “Crying Outâ€Â, speaks to the anguish that many young teens face and the communication gap that young people always seem to have with their parents and teachers.
The cast includes Hayden Avery, Erin Chetney, Seamus Darrow, Lauren Farnsworth, Abby Field, Becky Gray, Emily Gray, Emily Henderson, Jessica Johnston, Lena Kimball, Stephen Mahan, Ashley Murtha, Maddison Neuland, Ryan Smith, Nicole Snow, Austin Swindon, Patricia Talamo, Angela Thomas and Hailey Thompson. Adult cast members include Tammy Pospesel, Bobby Fontana, Connie Smith and Wayne Mosher Jr.
Director Lyndsie Lee Jones, is assisted in the production by Machele Pospesel, as Stage Manager. The “Juvie†set was originally designed and built by Ken Snow. Costume design is by Kelly Mosher.
“Juvie†was written by the late Jerome McDonough and is presented by special arrangement with I.E. Clark Publications. “Crying Outâ€Â, was written by Matthew Hunt, and is presented by special arrangement with Baker’s Plays.
“Juvie†and “Crying Out†will be performed on March 5, 6 12, and 13 at 7:30 p.m. with a special matinee performance on March 14 at 2 p.m. The shows will be presented at St. Mary’s Church Hall, located at the corner of West Sixth and Cayuga Streets, in Oswego. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students. For reservations call (315) 342-5265 or email [email protected]
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