Stagewest’s Children’s Theatre Workshop provides dramatic outlet for kids

She’s been at it for five years, and this year self-proclaimed loud-talker Kayla Ramsey received the role of Dorothy in the “Dorothy in Wonderland,” a play being put on by Children’s Theater Workshop. Ramsey, a 12-year-old from Medical Lake Middle School, only has two more years to participate as an actress, but she is so enthusiastic about the program that she says she will stick around to help once she ages out.

The Children’s Theatre Workshop, created by Stagewest Community Theatre and associated with Medical Lake School District, has been around for six years. Deborah Munyon, a fourth-grade teacher at Medical Lake, noticed that drama programs were being cut in the school systems and decided to do something about it.

Munyon approached Judy Gross, a member of the Stagewest Community Theatre, about her plan. Munyon knew that she wanted to “keep drama alive,” and Gross was brave enough to say yes, Munyon said.

The children pay $100 each. The money helps pay for the royalties for the play, for the scripts, for some of the costuming – the parents do a lot of it – and some props. What’s left goes back into the drama group. There are also need-based scholarships.

The workshop consists of daily drama games, learning the play, and learning “blocking” where they are told where to stand on the stage.

“It’s very creative and fun,” said 8-year-old Keili Ornelas from Michael Anderson Elementary School.

Munyon expects the kids to do more than learn their lines, and this instruction is a critical part of their project.

“We teach the kids how to move their face, how to lean, and how to be excited, and all the fun drama parts,” Munyon said.

Gross said that assigning parts is always the hardest part of the workshop for both her and Munyon.

“Debbie tells the kids their parts and she does it so well, that’s the teacher in her,” Gross said.

The difficulty of casting is easily overshadowed by watching the progress and evolution of the members, Munyon said.

“We get the privilege to watch kids grow from year to year and truly see how it builds their confidence,” Munyon said.

Jackson Sorensen, 17, from Davenport High School, became a member in 2011 and now is the assistant director for the play for his senior project.

“I never thought a shy kid like me could be doing something as cool as this,” Sorensen said.

“It’s enjoyable and gives you a chance to be someone you’re not,” said Maxim Brandstettel, 14, from Hamilton International Middle School in Seattle. He’s been participating for two years, said. He will play the Mad Hatter.

“I get to watch the excitement in their eyes as they become stars as I call them,” Gross said.