Millennium Fund Helps Buckeye Theatre for Kid Actors

The Buckeye Community Theatre of Medina stands as a remarkable haven, welcoming kids aged 10 to 18 to gather during after-school hours and on weekends. This vibrant theatre draws public, private, and homeschooled children from Medina, Summit, and Cuyahoga counties and even beyond. Its overarching mission is to inspire and educate local children through the performing arts, ensuring that the theatrical arts are accessible to all.

Unlock the Potential of Young Thespians at Buckeye Community Theatre

Onstage and Offstage Reins

A significant aspect of the education offered here is enabling kids to take the reins both on and off the stage. They actively participate as actors, crew members, and high school interns. This includes stage managers, light and sound assistants, and even directing interns. It's a hands-on experience that nurtures their skills and creativity.For instance, student intern Michael Younkin, a 14-year-old Wadsworth High School freshman, directed "Beauty and the Beast Jr." After a December interview with the theater board, he was selected for the position and received mentorship from Artistic Director Kimberly States. Additionally, he was sent to a Weathervane Playhouse directing camp in Akron last summer for further training. During his interview, Michael brought a model of the set he had created for the show, showcasing his innovative ideas and hard work. He not only directed but also helped design the set and all the lighting for the production.

Supporting High School Internships

The nonprofit theatre has been awarded ,000 by the Millennial Fund for Children to support its inclusive program for after-school youth theater. This grant directly benefits high school internships in conjunction with the musical. It provides mentorships with adult theater professionals in the community, offering valuable job training for those students interested in pursuing theater as a full-time career. Many high school students are eager to major in theater in college and make it their profession. The experience of working with individuals who understand the intricacies of theater lighting and costume design is invaluable.As Artistic Director Kimberly States, who also serves as the shows' music director and producer, explains, "It's a wonderful opportunity for these students to gain practical experience and build their skills."

Annual Musical Productions

Putting on an annual musical involves various costs such as the show's rights, costumes, sets, renting the Haddad Theater at the Medina County Administration Building, renting lights and microphones, and providing the cast with meals, snacks, and water. The students began rehearsing in July at Medina's St. Paul's Episcopal Church for the October show. Thanks to the support of the Millennium Fund, these costs were managed effectively.States expressed her gratitude, saying, "We've been so blessed with this Millennium Fund, that it did help us. It allowed us to bring this amazing musical to life."

Outreach and Inclusivity

Outreach is a crucial aspect of this theatre. This fall, they organized a free story time at a local bookstore, where "Beauty and the Beast Jr." youth actors in character read to young kids. To make theater accessible to all, the organization provides a sensory-friendly performance for each show and offers education to the cast on sensory sensitivities. They partner with a local moms' club focused on children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and invite their families to attend the sensory-friendly performance.Artistic Director States emphasizes the importance of theater in giving kids purpose and making them feel special. "We have a lot of students who are LGBTQ, who may face challenges at school. Theatre provides them with a place to connect with like-minded peers who share their love for theater and understand their experiences. It gives them an opportunity to be seen and heard."Seventy-five kids were fully immersed in the show, acting on stage and working backstage. They ran the computerized light and sound cues as well as the show's fog and haze. Other interns included Stella Vodilko from Highland High School as stage manager and Lily Pozderac from Buckeye High School and Medina middle schooler Andrew D'Aurelio as light and sound assistants.The Buckeye Community Theatre was founded in 2008, and States joined as artistic director two years ago. With a master's degree from the New England Conservatory of Music and a background as an opera singer on the East Coast, she now teaches private voice lessons in Medina. Here, kids truly run the show, from set changes to directing, demonstrating their talent and passion.