Children’s theater will present ‘Dragon’

It’s Broadway, baby!

The terms Broadway and theater are synonymous with live entertainment, which makes it fitting that Theater Arts for Children’s theater is at the Spokane Valley Community Center, 10814 E. Broadway Ave.

The theater group, which casts youngsters new to theater in each of its productions, premieres “The Reluctant Dragon” tonight at 7 p.m. The production runs through Feb. 26, with performances at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

The play was first performed by Theater Arts for Children 10 years ago.

The actors who played the dragon and famed dragonslayer Saint George will reprise their roles.

In this George C. Fosgate play, the dragon is a peaceful being who enjoys tea, poetry and an afternoon nap.

Some mischievous children rile the townspeople against the dragon, however, and spur them to call for an aging Saint George.

A young boy befriends both Saint George and the dragon and arranges a meeting between the two.

As Theater Arts for Children begins its second decade, more than 300 children and 120 adults have been involved in its various productions – not counting parents and others who have volunteered to take tickets, distribute programs and help out backstage.

Since opening in December 1995, the company has welcomed more than 750 children and more than 120 adults audition for its 40 successful productions.

Four years ago the company began offering introductory theater classes and has now expanded to offer both intermediate and advanced classes as well.

The group’s next production, “The Spell of Sleeping Beauty,” will hold auditions March 5 and 6 at 6:30 p.m. and will run from April 15 through the April 30.

The audition process is designed to be as stress-free as possible for youngsters.

Actors need not prepare for their audition.

Instead, directors rely on a cold read of the script.

For youngsters who cannot read, the directors will work with them to prepare.