Heartwood’s annual winter middle school production leaps to the stage this weekend, as an enthusiastic group of 5th-8th grade Midcoast youths present an adaptation of “The Jungle Book”. This entertaining piece features a wide array of familiar roles found in Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 collection of stories, brought to life with movement and music.

Students auditioned for directors Griff Braley and Heidi Kopishke in December. As school resumed in January, the group dove into four weeks of focused rehearsals, which will culminate in school-day and evening public performances in the Poe Theater, at Lincoln Academy.

Four school performances will be filled with more than 500 Midcoast students and teachers bused in from numerous Midcoast schools on Thursday, Jan. 25 and Friday, Jan. 26.  Each year, many students arrive as first-time audience members, wide-eyed and brand new to the inside of a theater;  returning students enter with a knowing air of expectation and excitement, recounting memories from previous productions.  Together, they share in the special thrill, when the lights go down and the magic of live theater begins. 

Heidi Kopishke works with Director Griff Braley in casting, managing students, and costuming (this has been an interesting and fun show to costume).  Lincoln Academy junior, Sophia Scott, gives back to a program that she enjoyed as a youngster, teaching basic drumming rhythms for actors to use in transitional music.  Technical elements are polished by Light Designer Ryan Kohnert.

“This annual winter drama adventure is a unique opportunity for young actors,” notes Heartwood’s Executive Director Joy Braley.  “Students are thrilled to present their work to peers and teachers, in the setting of a real theater!  Their opportunity is much broader than memorizing lines and saying them at the right moments; they learn and rehearse and hone their skills with students from several Midcoast schools, forging friendships and trust, in their shared pursuit of excellence.  Performing in a theater with quality technical elements – lighting, costumes, sets and sound -  is exciting.  They learn theater protocol, the importance of ensemble, and the joy of accomplishing an ambitious goal, together.”

Director Griff Braley says of this group, “They arrived in January, memorized and ready to dig into a month of deep learning and dedication to the material.  They’re learning to see beyond their own lines, to be aware of others onstage, and to create true ensemble, which raises live theater to another level.”

“The Jungle Book" cast: Everett Oakes, Vivian Wells, Grace Walker, Aysel Fraser, Heron Kypragoras, River Brazwell, Schulyer Brazwell, Natalie Hodgdon, Adeline Scott, Elizabeth Casad, Josie Winston-Feder, Monette Swall, Silas Percy, Octavia Aurora, Olive Pine, Gwyn Fraser and Aura Jones. 

In essence, this annual middle school program serves as a feeder system. Students’ skills and confidence grow each year, preparing them to enter high school with experience and a solid understanding of the theater process, protocol, and expectations.  They come to know and trust their director and one another, a huge factor when undertaking intense productions. The net result is very strong high school theater and strong training for students intending to continue acting in college and beyond.

Two public performances are scheduled in the Poe Theater, 81 Academy Hill Road, Newcastle, at Lincoln Academy on January 26th and 27th at 7pm.  Tickets are $5/student and $10/adult.  Reservations available by contacting Heartwood:  info@heartwoodtheater.org OR 563-1373.

This program is made possible, in part, by: Heartwood’s Season Sponsors, Bath Savings Institution and Chesterfield Associates, Inc.; Season Youth Sponsor, Damariscotta Hardware; and Education Sponsor, First National Bank.  Student tickets are available for $5 for every show this season, thanks to sponsors Peapod Jewelry and First National Wealth Management.