2017 DEC PASO Magazine

Mark your calendars now for December 14 and January 9-11
APPLAUSE CHILDREN’S THEATER
to hold auditions for ‘Peter Pan, Jr.’
By Melissa Chavez
Kiddos and teens
throughout the community
still have an
opportunity to take
part in one of the
most exciting children’s
musical productions
in Paso Robles. Peter Pan, Jr. will take
the stage in springtime, but preparations are
beginning now.
“Don’t miss your chance to fly the Neverland
with us,” said Vikky Mullin, founder
and director of Applause Children’s Theater
(ACT). “We have had such a wonderful response,
but we still have a few spots left.”
This adaptation of the Disney animated
film based on a play by J.M. Barrie, is a
modern version of the boy who refused to
grow up. The cast includes the characters that
we all know and love, including Peter Pan,
Tinker Bell, the Fairies, Wendy Darling,
her parents and brothers John and Michael,
Nana the nursemaid, the villainous Captain
Hook and his hilarious sidekick, Smee, and a
slew of pirate henchmen, just to name a few.
The ensemble is large, which gives opportunity
for every child to receive more than one
part to perform.
ACT was created with the desire for all
children to take part in a live theater production.
Every young person who auditions
gets cast in the play. The process helps put
everyone at ease, builds friendship among
Stacks of scripts await eager
kids waiting to take part in the
musical production, Peter Pan, Jr.
cast members and encourages positive reinforcement
for everyone from first-time actors
to the most seasoned members.
To help children equip themselves to put
their best foot forward, Vikky will host an
ACT workshop on December 14 from
5:30 to 7:30 pm at the ACT studio, located
at 1413 Riverside Avenue in Paso Robles.
“All kids, age seven through high school
who audition, are cast in the show, but you
must preregister and attend the workshop,”
said Vikky. “Kids will sing through songs,
read the script, and get familiar with the
characters. While the children are practicing,
parents can finish filling out paperwork and
sign up for the day and time they would like
their children to audition.”
Vikky’s approach to working with youth is
very relational and inclusive, helping develop
the confidence they need to unleash their
talents on stage.
In November, Vikky hosted a six-week acting
class geared for youths to become familiar
with the audition process. It is this training
that she developed to help children become
aware of the gifts they already possess and to
discover and cultivate new ones, too.
“Last year’s show, The Wizard of Oz, was
a huge success, selling out in three performances
with crowds of 350 for each show!
Sixty children from the community enjoyed
learning the joy of performing live theater,”
said Vikky.
For its enthusiastic audience response,
the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization would
be hard-pressed to survive without support
from its generous sponsors. Monetary
support is 100 percent tax-deductible and
provides a win-win for Applause Children’s
Theater and those wishing to make the most
of their last-minute December donations in
time for tax season in April.
This season, business and other sponsors
can even help sponsor the show. For $400,
a banner is displayed of the business name
or donors at the show along with a business
display table in the lobby. However, no donation
is too small.
52 PASO Magazine, December 2017