So very soon I will start a new theatrical journey. I suppose it started a while ago, with the writing, rewriting, public reading, more rewriting, and even more rewriting of my new play, Kazoo. Auditions are a few weeks away, the script is done except for a few language tweaks here and there, and I’m working with the producer to pull together a tech team. My costumer is already on board and we’ve been sharing costume ideas, which has been fun. Next week, I’ll meet with my stage manager.

I’m excited about the show for a number of reasons.

Storytelling. This show has eight actors telling the story directly to the audience. They also become characters in the story as well. I like the idea of giving the kids the chance to learn storytelling techniques, which is different than creating a character. One of my goals when writing a children’s theatre play is to create challenges for the actors. I want them to have opportunities to learn. Of course, I also want the play to tell a good story, to be entertaining, and to have an emotional center that audiences can connect to. But always in children’s theatre, I want to focus on educating the next generation of actors.

Puppets! This play will have snake puppets that I’m really excited about. The main Python character will be 10-15 foot puppet, which will be manipulated by 3-4 actors. There will also be smaller snake puppets. One of the key aspects of plays is making things theatrical. There’s no point in doing a play if all you’re going to do is try to put a movie onstage. There has to be something inherently theatrical about the play for it to make sense to make it live theatre. Storytelling, my first reason for excitement, is inherently theatrical. And puppets fit with the theatricality of the show as well. And I love the idea of giving kids a rare opportunity to do something really different in the midst of the play.

The story. I am telling the story of Wren, a young teenager who loses her mom and falls into a self destructive spiral, only to find her way out through her own strong will and with the help of two friends, Lily and Kaylee. Because it’s me, there’s magic involved and another world that they venture to. There’s a lot of challenging material for the lead actors, and I relish the opportunity to help them find their characters and harness the emotion necessary to pull it off.

The funny. The center of the story is how Wren deals with the loss of her mother, which is a tough topic. So of course, I put in as much humor as I could. I am hopeful I can let the actors loose to add some silly and fun to what’s already there in the script. I really love the Lawn Care Professional character and I want to see that character in particular shine with humor and fun.

And of course I’m also just thrilled to be working with such a great team at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts and Young Footliters. And these kids! This is my fifth show in five years for Footliters and every year I get some familiar faces as well as a bunch of new faces. But whether they’re new or familiar, they always give 100% and are fun and funny and brave. I can’t wait for auditions!