More than rehearsal:" Performers learn stagecraft as they get ready for "The Hobbit" opening

By Jennifer Brummett
jenb@amnews.com

HARRODSBURG - Three weeks in to rehearsals for Ragged Edge Children's Theatre's Summer Stage production of "The Hobbit," a massive battle scene was in progress. Dwarves, a hobbit, a wizard and miscellaneous bad guys were fighting each other with wooden swords and various other prop-weapons.



"Hobbit" director L. Henry Dowell said they tried to give each dwarf a unique personality.



"There are a couple of hippies, one who is a chef, hillbillies, a doctor. They're more like Smurfs. And there's an Elvis, an artist, a couple of military dwarves, and a nerd dwarf," Dowell explained.



Earlier in the day, makeup was the subject matter the 30-plus kids and teenagers studied. Theater veteran Tim White, a "Lord of the Rings" fan, talked to them about how he made molds and casting as well as silicone and masks, said student Kirsten Kellersberger.



Rollins Grubbs said he learned to blend his makeup better rather than just "using the same shade over and over." That way, it doesn't look "stuck on you," he noted.



The day before, the ensemble worked outside - a new experience for most of the group. The weather could make outdoor theater hard because it could be hot or it could rain, said Ashley Crank.



Added Max Searcy, "You have to accentuate everything you do."



Robin Nicole Estes agreed. "You have to speak louder" so there is no echo, and because of background noise.



Dowell listened to the answers the young actors gave to questions. He said Ragged Edge takes great pride in doing theater for children and by children. "The Hobbit" was chosen because he is a fan.



"This has been my favorite book since I was in sixth grade," said Dowell, who also is artistic director at RECT. "The play is a reasonably faithful adaptation.



"What makes a story like this so difficult to stage is that the play is about a journey and takes place in many different locations. Luckily, 3/4 of those locations are a cave of some sort. Our set will resemble Castle Greyskull from the old "Masters of the Universe" cartoon, which aired in the '80s."



"The Hobbit" is the prelude to "The Lord of the Rings." It is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a quiet and contented hobbit whose life is turned upside down when he joins the wizard Gandalf and 13 dwarves on their quest to reclaim stolen treasure. It is a journey fraught with danger - and in the end, it is Bilbo Baggins alone who must face the guardian of this treasure, the most dreaded dragon in all Middle-earth.



"The Hobbit" production features a large contingent of boys because of the fantasy element. Last summer's production, "The Little Mermaid," appealed more to girls, Dowell noted. Next year's production will be "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe."



"All of our children's shows are produced in three weeks time," Dowell added. "Which is adequate rehearsal time for a one-hour show. However, it still requires the same amount of work for set building, costuming, sewing, etc. It is always a real challenge putting these shows together technically.



"I will never allow a director or designer on a MainStage show to tell me that they can't get the job done in five to six weeks. Ever."



An offering during "The Hobbit's run is a performance interpreted for the deaf June 24. Dowell said he's been working on achieving that since he was hired.



Dowell said the children's theater continues to grow and enjoys broad support from the community.



"I would put our program up against any other program in this state," he noted.



"'The Hobbit' ends our 23rd season, and one of the most successful ever at the Ragged Edge. ... If there are adults out there who think that maybe they wouldn't enjoy a kid's show, let me assure you that there are lots of great gags worked into our productions specifically for the older members of the audience."



Dowell added Summer Stage Theatre Camp and all other 2006-'07 Children's Theatre productions have been supported in part by funding from the Rowland Family Charitable Fund; as well as by the Kentucky Arts Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet with support from the nal Endowment for the Arts.



Up next on the MainStage is the musical "I Do! I Do!" The Children's Theatre next will produce a one-hour version of "Macbeth" using high school-age actors.Copyright:The Advocate-Messenger 2007