Rockwell Students to show off acting skills in 'The Emperor's New Clothes'

Norman Rockwell Elementary, in partnership with Studio East, presents a musical version of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” at 7 p.m. Friday, April 17 and 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18 at the Redmond High School Performing Arts Center, 17272 NE 104th St.

Tickets are $5. For advance ticket purchases, e-mail rockwelltickets@gmail.com.

The production features 44 Rockwell students in grades 4-6. Managing such an energetic group takes finesse — and that’s the benefit of having Studio East’s involvement, said Siri Bleisner, a parent volunteer who is co-producing the show with Jeni Craswell.

Two years ago, Bleisner contacted Studio East about their Art Reach program, in which they pull together a school musical in six weeks.

The school PTA does the administrative work and Studio East oversees all the specialized, technical aspects, she explained. The process for “The Emperor’s New Clothes” began with auditions on March 2 and all students who tried out got a part.

“This is written to have a large cast. There are lots of large ensemble parts,” said Bleisner. “I’m always amazed at how they pull it together in six weeks. Studio East does a great classroom experience. It’s more about the process than the end production. They teach the basics of theater .... they ask kids to think, ‘What is your character about? What are they thinking?’ and ‘What do you do when you’re not saying a line? Even when you’re not speaking, when you’re on the sides, people are looking at you, you’re still acting.’ They run a great program, work with kids of all abilities, including special needs kids.”

Jillian Kramer of Studio East is directing the production. Musical director is David Spring and Rockwell teacher Heather Hein is the choreographer.

The show’s humorous script is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” about a vain ruler who is tricked into believing that his finest suit is invisible to anyone who isn’t smart or capable. To protect themselves from ridicule, everyone around him pretends to admire the non-existent suit.

To learn more about Studio East, the Kirkland-based theater arts school, visit www.studio-east.org/.

Contact Redmond Reporter Reporter Mary Stevens Decker at mdecker@redmond-reporter.com or (425) 867-0353, ext. 5052.

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