July 6 Only — HCT Rising Star Gala Showcase & Fundraiser

A former “Rising Summer Stars” production. Photo courtesy of Hawai`i Children’s Theatre

One Night Only — Hawai`i Children’s Theatre — Rising Summer Stars Gala Showcase and Fundraiser

Celebrate the magic of live theatre with the entire family when the Hawai`i Children’s Theatre Rising Summer Stars program performs for one night only, on Friday, July 6 at the Kaua`i Community College Performing Arts Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the show starts at 7 p.m.

It’s a performance, a showcase, and a fundraiser.

The evening promises cool family entertainment including original music, an original mime piece and an original play with original costumes. These rising summer stars have been hard at work.

Over a four week period, Rising Summer Stars held three workshops  — Beginning Acting Keiki for students ages five through seven years old; The Art of Acting for students ages eight through 15 years old; and The Art of Performing, for students ages eight through 15 years old.

On Friday, July 6, it’s show your stuff night for the Beginning Acting Keiki and The Art of Acting students. Those who took The Art of Performing will show their stuff separately, in the production of Bugsy Malone, Jr., to take place, also at KCC Performing Arts Center, but on the nights of Friday, July 13 through Sunday, July 15.

What’s up on July 6

A particular highlight of the gala will be an original song with composition and lyrics generated by the students and taught by long-time HCT favorite Nina Sarois and Summer Stars alumnus Cameron Williamson, composer and musician, as well as founder and leader of Paradox Lockdown, a semi-finalist band in the Unsigned-Only music competition where the band was selected from  7,500 entries.

Also planned for the evening: an original mime piece created in student collaboration, a display of aerial silks techniques — think Cirque du Soleil — as well as tumbling.

And finally, the keiki will take you on a stroll down America’s favorite street — Broadway — and present their very own production, an original play with costumes they made.

One might find the concept of being fabulous at an early age unlikely, but not so, say the Hawai`i Children’s Theatre folks. The proof is in the pudding, as HCT stages its Rising Summer Stars Workshop Presentation and Fundraising Gala on Friday, July 6  at the KCC Performing Arts Center.

Doors open at 6 p.m. to enjoy dinner — HCT board member John Cabello’s JC’s Puerto Rican Tacos — and baked treats for dessert will be available for purchase.

Peruse silent auction items, check out the displays and mingle with friends before the show starts at 7 p.m.

Maile Speetjens, in her 11th year with HCT, plus a multi-talented staff, along with a contingent of 32 amateur thespians pulled this show-and-tell showcase gala together. It gives an overview of the workshop offerings and what learning the ropes of theatre is all about.

Students in the musical theatre skills class will perform. In addition, student costume design renderings and student-created masks will be on display. By the way, these students also worked on the Bugsy Malone costumes.

Participants in the workshops ranging in ages from five through seven years old include the following: Maddison Hubbard, Savannah Hubbard, Tanner Hubbard, Leigh Idica, Charles O’Neill, Silas Pinzer, Caleb Plowman and Emmy Telles.

Participants in the workshops ranging in ages from eight through 15 years old include the following: Talia Abrams, Athena Alexander, Tirah Brings, Napua Canales, Ashley Crawford, Nai’a Delviscovo, Isaac Dubey, Dominique Edwards, Kolten Gusman, Alea Hardie, Sarah Keith, Alexie Lane-Schwarze, Danni Lewis, Emmanuella Marcil, Janique Marcil, Raven Ochoa, Katherin O’Neill, Zylan Pa-Conant, Alena Pinzer, Katherine Polzin, Jasper Shell, Maile Shell, Amelia Styan and Kasiah Vercelli.

Since it’s inception in 1996, HCT has produced over 60 productions, turning out a quantity and quality of plays that over 45,000 Kaua`i residents have enjoyed. HCT is asking everyone who has ever been involved with its programs previously to support Hawai`i Children’s Theatre by coming to this fundraiser, donating an auction item, or just helping out.

All Gala proceeds benefit The Hawai`i Children’s Theatre of Kaua`i. For further information call 808-246-8985 or visit online at  www.hawaiichildrenstheatre.com.

Tickets for the show are $7/ advance — call 246-8985; or $10/ door.