Theater teaches youth more than acting skills

By AMBER DILLEY
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW June 25, 2009 12:11 pm

— In the gym of the Liberty District Ralph Bunche Center, two actors playing the roles of Mr. Zuss (God) and Nickels (Satan) are arguing about Job.
The scene is part of a play called “J.B.,” a modern telling of the story of Job, set in a circus.
Two vendors, Mr. Zuss and Nickles assume the roles of God and Satan with J.B. playing the role of Job.
J.B. is a play within a play, within a play, according to Eddie Sakowicz, director of the center’s new children’s theater and program director for the center.
“The play starts out with God and Satan doing commentary, setting up the scene and then watching the story of Job,” Sakowicz said. “Through the whole thing, a voice keeps interrupting, making sure they stay the course.”
J.B. is the second play the group has done in its first season and the first drama as well.
For some of the actors, working in the theater is a hobby, for some a first-time experience and for others, a life dream.
For Gage Wilson, who plays Mr. Zuss, this is his first play.
“I just thought I’d try it out to see if I liked it,” he said. “And I do.”
Wilson plans on going to law school and possibly doing acting as a hobby.
For Staci Woodcock (Nickels), however, acting is what she’s wanted to do her whole life.
“I love the stage. I just love it,” she said. “This is what I want to do.”
Nikki Ashton, who plays three roles: Leah, Mrs. Leisure and Eliphaz, wasn’t planning on being in the play at all.
Ashton started out as an understudy, but due to several people dropping out, she has taken on three characters.
“I love acting and being on stage,” she said. “Nothing beats that. Nothing beats the applause at the end.”
“Or the awkward silence,” she joked.
The theater has been a learning experience for both Sakowicz and the actors.
Sakowicz, who is trained in children’s theater, said he holds the group to a professional standard.
“I don’t treat them like children,” he said. “I’ve found that when you treat them as peers, you get a better reaction. This is not just a theater program, this is a learning experience. It teaches them vocabulary, increases their disciplinary skills, breaks them out of their shells. Doing this also gives them a wide, diverse look at theater.”
The play will show July 2 and 3 at the Liberty District Ralph Bunche Center at 8 p.m.

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