Michele Jacobson and Jessica Stanley, Boone Community Theatre, Youth Theatre, July 6, 2026

Today we're talking about Boone Community Theater, joining us on our program today. We've got Michelle Jacobson here. Good morning. And Jessica Stanley returns as well. Good to have you back. Thanks for having us. She survived the Olympic Games. Well, okay, yeah. Youth Theater is basically, we're going to talk a lot about where we're at with Youth Theater. That's right. You're halfway through basically your Youth Theater season as well. This is true. Yeah, so we've got another production coming up, but the first one was, wait a minute, I have the whole title here. Greek mythology, Olympia Gansa. Yes. So which was kind of a farce. Yeah, it was. It was taking a lot of the more familiar Greek mythology stories, but telling them with a new, more modern twist. A lot of humor to it. A lot of cast. Yes, it was a very large cast. And even that, a lot of the cast had more than one role. We picked it knowing that we have so many youth that want to be involved. We want to give everyone a part. So we try to find these plays that have a lot of roles. Just things that, yeah. Yeah. Where you can, they can do something. Yeah, absolutely. So part of it is you did, you had a whole week of basically camp where they all had their parts that they were supposed to be practicing or at least memorizing and stuff. Yes. But then you go through the whole thing. What stage, the whole bet? Yeah. So we come in and we do a read through. So we, you know, we sit down and we have everyone read it. So they can hear it. They've all read the play hopefully by that point. But now they're hearing it for the first time and hearing everyone do their parts. After that, we move straight into blocking. So it's the idea of where do they come in at? Where do they walk to? What are they doing as they're saying these lines? So it's putting it from the lines that they should have had memorized into actual action. And I think by the time we got that done, the next time just start running through. We get sound put in. We get lights put in. We work in props. So the idea is we're basically speed running through all of the different parts of running a play in a week. So that on Friday night, it looks like a very polished, ready to go piece. And they did amazing. So, and you had three performances. We did. It's a little hard to just say for the public, you're welcome to try and find tickets. Because when you get a lot of kids in there, you get a lot of family that comes to see them. We did. We had a lot of family with a lot of friends that come to see them. I know a friend and I was sold out. I think Saturday and Sunday, we had a pretty decent size. We had a few tickets left. And I think some of some extras got to come then. But yeah, it's that's kind of the best thing when you're on stage is to have a full audience. So I was so happy the kids would have that experience as well. So part two, Michelle. Yeah, part two. You're going to be you're going to be directing that. That's Alice in Wonderland, Jr. Yes. And this is a musical. So there's the added element of music and dancing. What that which is good. Yeah. Because now you also very large cash. Some I'm guessing there's a little bit of overlap. But still not that much. Really, when you look at the number of young people in there, it's there are some but there's a lot of parts. There are a lot of parts. Yeah, I think we have 32 kids that are going to be in Alice in Wonderland. And I would say almost half of them were also in the Greek mythology, Olympia Gensa. So some new people are some kids, you know, some kids just do one or the other and then some are able to do both. So and again, you'll have the same process going up a week. Just come in and boom. I mean, in the meantime, right now, you're prepping set and everything. Yeah. So I have tons of support. People are setting lights and making lighting plans. People are painting backdrops and creating props and costumes. So we get all of as much of the tech done before the week of camp starts so that the things are ready for the kids to walk in and try on their costumes and and just get working on the play itself. Okay. So again, since it's a musical and with dancing and everything else, who's helping out with some of that part? Well, I am a musician. So I am directing and music directing. So I am taking care of that part. And then Meredith Stroh is doing the choreography this summer. So that's really great. I have, yeah, like I said, some adult, other adults that are doing sets and things like that and lights. And all right. So big crowd and already people are saying, when are the tickets? Yes. So tickets are on sale just for the kids in the cast right now. But next week, we'll see how many tickets are available. And then we'll release that to the public on our Facebook page. So watch probably next Monday to see what we have to say because they will sell out quickly within the family of the kids. Just community theater Facebook page. Yes. Yeah. Just the regular community theater Facebook page will have that information. So you know, if there are tickets available and when they're available, but the same thing three shows Friday and then two on Saturday. And again, for people that are wondering, auditions for these were done. March, they were back in March. And we do that so that the kids have time to practice ahead of time because a week is a lot to learn all of the things. And if you don't, if you haven't looked at it ahead of time, it's really hard to be successful in a week. So we want to give kids time to be practicing and learning their music and their lines before coming into the actual rehearsal process. So for this, and again, these, for the youth theater one, and after watching Annie, we saw a lot of young people do take part in that. How, I mean, not all of them are going to come and do the summer youth theater program. But what, what kind of ages do you get? Well, we open it up for ages eight to 18. This year, I think our oldest is 17, but we do have it. We have some eight year olds. So it's a really wide range. I love the younger kids getting to watch the older, more experienced kids and learn from them. And I feel like the, the youth that we have involved are really inclusive of each other and are really encouraging of each other to help them kind of grow their skills and become more confident performers. So it's great that we get to have that, that age range so they can, oh, hey, someday I could be in that kind of role doing that kind of thing. And I get to watch this older kid who has a lot of experience doing it really well. And I can even go talk to them and maybe, you know, form, form a friendship. So it's really cool. They will do some mentoring. They do. Yeah, it's really fantastic. They're really great at that, honestly. It's like you said, they're so inclusive, but they're also really good at just taking these kids under their wings. We saw this happen with Greek mythology that we had some kids that were brand new. And we always have kids waiting to age into the program. We always have kids like, next year I get to do this. But then we have these older kids that they kind of look for these ones and then they kind of introduce them to here's what we do, which is really helpful for the adults, by the way. Yeah, it is. Because we know we have these older kids that we can rely on. But it's just such a cool group of kids that they are, are willing and able to do this. It's really, it's a big group environment rather than just us leading it. Yeah, definitely. And as a result, all you got to do is watch like four, and we'll have in this season too, where we're going to have some young people that will be participating in the productions that are coming up. Yeah, yes. And then multi-generational productions. That's great. And the hope is that when they do things with the youth specifically, that they're gaining the skills and confidence to be able to go to those auditions and feel really good about what they're putting out there and feeling really ready to participate in that larger scale production, where it feels like maybe the stakes are a little bit higher when there's adults involved and when it's a longer rehearsal process. So our goal is to really give them sort of like the basic skills to be ready for that next step. This is kind of like their training camp. Yeah, it is. I was going to say it's, well, one thing I haven't, maybe Jed has mentioned it before too, but so many that ads are coming up through junior high and then into the high school theater programs and stuff like that. We get a lot of people, I see a lot of faces. Yes. Same faces. Yes. I'm really excited for Boon High this year because we have a lot of incoming freshmen that I've worked with quite a bit at BCT. And I'm like, ooh, they're going to be coming in for the fall musical and the spring play. And I'm really excited for that for them and for the program. It does, they're not afraid to get up there and perform, are they? No. That's part of what always, that was one of the main things of this when we started doing youth theater and some of those things, get them on stage, let them get comfortable. Yeah, exactly. And just think of like the lifelong skills you were building. So many people say that public speaking is their biggest fear. And here we have eight year olds dying to get up and seeing a solo in front of people. We're really preparing them for their future lives, whether it's in the arts or anywhere else. And sometimes we pull them in in other positions and then we get them on stage. Yeah. And so that's, you know, the shy ones, we get them pulled in and then they want to try it. Well, and there is a space for people who don't want to be on stage too, because we have young people running the sound and the lights and stage managing backstage. So there are ways for kids who aren't ready or aren't interested in that public speaking to still be involved in the theater. And so we love when we get those kids involved as well. And they're building a different set of skills, but also very important. Well, we know that Alice in Wonderland, Jr. will be the next production. That's going to be the July one. What, camp is 13th through the 17th. Yep. And again, if people wonder about everybody going in and out at 7-Eleven Story, that's where that's community theater. So that's where it'll be at. And again, they can check online. Facebook really, once tickets are available. Yeah. Yep. Next week they'll be available for the public, hopefully. I'm guessing that a lot of family go. Yes, there's, yeah. Well, and some parents want to see their kid in all three shows and I want them to be able to do that because it's important. Sure. Yeah. And then you got Brungram and Grandpa Rod. Yes. And aunts and uncles and cousins and people come from across the state or we've had out of status before traveling to see their, their family. Well, last time when, when we got to visit before, just before we got into the youth theater, the new season had been announced. Yes. And never after happily, we'll be leading it off. And by the way, folks, if you, and then Man of La Mancha, and when we mentioned that we're going to have youth related ones, you got Charlotte's Web and then you got Mary Poppins. Yes. So some pretty, pretty interesting productions coming out. Yeah. It's going to be a really fun season. So I'm going to say probably one of the more traditional just theater will be Never After Happily. Yes. And Jessica Stanley is directing. Yes. And so first solo directing part? It is. Yeah. First time I've assistant directed once. And so this will be my first time. Just throw her to the wolves. Yeah. I mean, I guess I've done the camp. Co-directed summer camp. So not really to the wolves. And I'll have very good support. Everyone's kind of ready to jump in as needed. And but yeah, it's going to be, and this is actually another one that it's a youth, youth and adult one. Okay. It's, we have a lot of roles that I don't want to define an age range for it because I could see a teenager playing this and a 50 year old playing this two very different ways. But, but you know, I don't know which one will be the best. And so it's kind of one of those where there's certain of these roles that are certain ages, but a lot of them are, I want, I want anyone who's interested to come try out, show me, show me how you see these characters. Okay. So yeah, this one I'm hoping from what it sounds like we're going to have a decent amount of youth going to try out for this one as well. Auditions are towards the end of this month. Yes, right after rug where I come through the next two days, next two nights are additions. So it's going to be Wednesday, July 22nd and Thursday, July 23rd starting at 6 p.m. And we'll probably go to about 8 30. Okay. And get part of the reason this early is because still have a lot of summer activity, vacation stuff going on. It does give them time to start working on the unscripted stuff. Yes. Yes. And since we were a little bit early on productions this year, so this one will actually opening night will be at the end of September. Yeah, I was going to say, it kind of rolls over September and October. Yeah. So we're kind of trying to hope or, you know, catch people around their vacations and still be able to get, you know, really dive into it by the time school starts and be fully ready to go. Come together quickly. Yes, exactly. So sizable cast for this. Yes. So again, people mark your calendar now, 22nd, 23rd, 7 11 story, anything in particular for auditions you're looking for. I know you put instructions kind of it's on the audition page, go to the audition page by the way. Absolutely, go to the audition page. And this is a show that is very interactive with the crowd. So we are looking for people who will be comfortable and, you know, excited to be able to interact with the crowd in character before the production even starts. This show has what we call a pre curtain show where we might we might even marry some people not not legally binding. There might be some coronations. There is going to there's all sorts of different things. Maybe you could get knighted on stage. Each night could be different. It depends on what the audience wants to do. Our cast, you know, we're looking for people that are going to have some fun with these roles. And this is all just kind of leading into the show, then the show opens, and they get to see the world that we've created. So how did you do was this one you wanted to do? You must have seen or heard about this. It is a fairly new play. But yeah, before we we proposed our plays this season, there were a few I found and this one just sounded like so much fun. So I'm I'm all for the plays that, you know, they describe it as a farce part SNL part. You know, all of these different types of community acts or comedy acts that come through. And it's very much what I wanted to be able to start with, but an opportunity to get everybody. Yes, very much so. And just to create a very enjoyable experience. Now, I will say the play has some very touching moments. Okay, there's some very good parts of it of life. So it's not all, you know, circus acts. But it's a very touching play. But it's got a good sense of humor, which is what I always want in everything. So you're really looking for people that want to be a part of this for auditions, a 22nd, 23rd, Boone Community Theater at 711 Story. And what was it again, six, six in the evening, six o'clock, and then we'll probably go and tell about you 30. I'm going to guess we have to do as you're looking at this, are you going to have to do a lot of set work, things like that? Because it sounds like if you want it interactive, you're going to have them relatively easy access to the audience. Yes, I know that our set designer has some amazing ideas. We'll see what works. He has, he's got some great things that he's going to hope to try. So we'll do that. And then after that, then we just roll right into the rest of the season. That's right. Yeah. And a couple of, well, Mary Poppins got to be a big one to wrap up, just like Annie was. You got an iconic one. Probably already have people going, I think I would like to, again, you're talking to big musical. Yeah, people are talking about it, that's for sure. Just like Annie, it's going to be one, people are going to talk about the entire season leading up to it. And it's kind of a really fun way to cap the end of the season is to have this show that keeps people excited the whole time. You know, it engages them early and then they're going to stay excited. Yeah, I agree. And 51st season. Hey, yeah, we do have again, as far as community theater goes, I know there are usually other things you guys try to put together. I'm not sure how busy during this summer, how you're going to get different different activities going on. But kind of game night kind of went away. Yeah. But we do some what open mics. Yeah, we don't have anything officially on the schedule yet. But there's a group of people who are working on ironing out some dates for open mics and different activities. We had a D&D night recently. Yeah, we've done trivia in the past. So again, I mean, if you watch our Facebook page, it'll all be on there. That's really the best way to keep up to date with what we're doing. But yeah, those special things sprinkled in are just as as we have people available to run them. I know I've heard hints with the open mic. It might also be karaoke as well. We might be introducing a new level. Yeah, no, one of the things you did start to pick up last year, people or businesses sponsoring, stepping up to sponsor. And that's still an opportunity, I'm guessing. Yeah, co-sponsor, whatever, just get to be a part of helping to support. Definitely. Yep, you can sponsor the entire season, which is super helpful or sponsor an individual show or at different levels. It's really helpful because the rights to shows is very expensive. Especially when you do musical. Yeah, it is. And even once you do that, then you're buying costumes and creating costumes and set pieces and paint and things like that. So it's a it's a large, a large budget process all the time. So the more community input and help that we can get the better productions we can have. And so yeah, last season, we had some really great season sponsors, the McKenney sponsored the season. And then we had some show sponsors, K-Season Hi-Vee sponsored last season, and then some other community organization sponsored. So we're just looking for that again this this season to get some extra support and help us out so we can make our theater productions the best they can be. And or people could help to sponsoring a brick for the, I mean, you know, you have a big building that you want to do a lot of things too. Yes. But it doesn't happen overnight. No, it definitely doesn't happen overnight. There's a lot, a lot involved to get the building to where we would like it to be. So yeah, anything, any help goes a long way. Yeah, and the brick thing is great because if you buy a brick, then you get to have your name in the theater forever. We'll need that. And easy, you can see that on the, on your, on your website. Yes, yeah. There's information about that and contact for if they would like to do any sponsoring of anything or a production or for the season or anything like that. There's multiple ways to do it. Do they just make contact? Yeah, just make contact. Yep, the main Boone Community Theater email address is listed on the website. Our phone number is there. You can make a phone call or send an email and somebody will get in touch with you if you're looking to make a donation or to be a sponsor. Mail at BooneCommunityTheater.org or show up for a production and just say, how can I? Yeah, someone will gladly help. Someone will gladly discuss that with you. Yes, we'll do that. Once again, Summer, so Youth Summer Theater, I know over the last, last couple of years, we had such a big turnout of youth. Again, it was a kind of a crush getting everybody involved doing things. This year, you went with two specific, is this seem to be the way to go in the future? And how much longer are you? I don't know. I mean, well, now you had Janay and Jessica stepped up and they did one part of it. Yeah, yeah, I really like having two options. I think there are some kids who are really interested in a musical and some who are really just interested in a straight play. And I think it's great to have those options. We've talked about maybe splitting into different age groups a little bit differently. We've talked about, yeah, just lots of, there's lots of possibilities and we're all very open to, you know, making changes as it seems like it's right for the groups of students that we have and the people that we have involved. We want it to really work for families and for their young people so that they can be involved. And so, like, we're open. The board basically, we must continue youth community things. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, we have full board support. It's really fantastic. It's such a big element of it, especially because we know that we're raising those kids that are going to be going into the shows as adults. We've got so many adults that we're part of the youth theater. Yeah. Originally, Janay is one of them. She grew up in it. Yeah. So, yeah. And we have other board members that were involved when they were kids and the youth theater productions and now they're members of the board. So, it's really fantastic to see the fruits of the labor kind of pay off for the organization down the road. Raising the next theater generation. Because part of it was, you know, without getting new people coming in and so after a while, you're getting a little worn out. Yeah. It is a lot of hard work. A lot of volunteers working a lot of hours on every show, continuously throughout the year, even when our season ends. That doesn't mean that work at the theater ends. It's ongoing. So, we're always looking for people to help backstage. We are always looking for people to get involved in different ways. If you're not interested in acting, there is a place for you in the production staff or as a set manager or in lighting. We have so many talented individuals that are willing to teach other people how to do their craft. And so, anyone who's looking for you know, a community, a way to, you know, get into, yeah, be a part of the community. Come and join us because there's a place for everyone. I was going to say, Jessica, you started out just doing a parts, didn't you? A couple of parts. I did. Well, I did youth theater in my town growing up. So, I had that experience as well. But yeah, I came in with an audition for my daughter for Matilda. Decided the last second, I'm here, I mean, this will try out. I ended up in a role and we've slowly integrated almost the entire family into the theater somehow. So, yeah, it's, that's how it happens and that's, we have so many families that have that story. Oh, for sure. They come in, one person has one part and then within a year we've pulled most of the family in and they, they enjoy it. They, you know, it's such a, it's such a fun atmosphere to work in and very rewarding. So, yeah, definitely. I'm going back to the home zone. That was so good. That was a lot of fun. And Michelle, I know you've been doing all kinds of things at the theater for a while. Sometimes you go on stage, sometimes. It just depends. What it is. Kind of, yeah, I'm kind of particular about what I auditioned for because my schedule's so busy and I like to be available to help with the behind the scenes things as needed. And

anyway, youth theater, again, the next production coming up, Alice in Wonderland Jr. It'll be coming up on the 17th, that's Friday the 17th, seven o'clock performance Saturday, 18th, matinee and evening production at seven. And once again, you'll have to watch Facebook, the community theater Facebook to see if any tickets are available or what's happening there. So again, anticipate, we're going to have a lot of people out there to watch. Yes. Yeah. I do appreciate you taking time to come and join us today. Thanks so much. Thank you for having us.