Meet A Christmas Carol's Rising Stars

It has been whispered by some that A Christmas Carol by the Utah Shakespeare Festival Playmakers is many Southern Utah theater goers favorite version of this classic Christmas tale. This year they even had to add an extra performance because of its popularity.

The question is: How do kids ages 7 to 17 pull off such a triumph each year? Answer: Practice, dedication, talent and a phenomenal set of directors, stage managers and choreographers that help guide this company to shine on stage. This year many of the actors are returning to play different parts, although, there are some new faces like 8-year-old Mia Gatherum who are taking the stage for the first time.

In practice: Jinger Axelson as Jacob Marley

The Shakespeare Festival’s Playmakers program gives local children the opportunity to present a play on the Randall L. Jones stage. The 30 children who star in A Christmas Carol have been rehearsing since late October. Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is an original play adaptation of the novel by the famous English Victorian writer. It tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a cranky old man who doesn't believe in the spirit of Christmas, and how he is changed by seeing his past, present, and future one Christmas Eve. The story is told through music, dance and Dickens's poetic language and Victorian Christmas songs.

We caught up with some of the actors and the orchestra musicians (who are also all middle school and high school students) to find out what drives them to practice at least 2 hours a day , 5 days a week for over a month to produce this Southern Utah favorite. We found a group of kids passionate about theater and music. Meet a few of the young stars who will bring this story to life starting December 17th.

Mia Gatherum, Age 8 – Mary Cratchett, Tiny Tim’s Big Sister

Last year Mia saw the performance of A Christmas Carol and she was hooked. She told her mother this is what she wanted to do. She has always loved acting in the safety of her home, “My family says I am a little drama,” says Mia.

Being cast in the play as Mary Cratchett is a dream come true for this girl whose acting icons include theater actors like the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s Oberon from the 2011 season of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream and Jonathon Borrego who plays Scrooge in this year’s production. Ask her what her dream role for any play is and she says she would really like to play Christmas Past. “I Really like A Christmas Carol,” Mia says.

When Mia isn’t practicing her favorite line from the play -- “Father is coming! Father is coming! Martha, hide!” – she enjoys playing the piano or brushing up on her math skills at Fiddlers Elementary.

Rebekah Harris – 14 Yrs – Ghost of Christmas Present

Rebekah started acting when she was just 7 years old and she got a part in the musical South Pacific. Acting is a family tradition for Rebekah. Her grandparents were actors, her parents have since become actors and her brothers are actors as well. Like she said, “It runs in the family.”

Rebekah has been in the Playmakers production of A Christmas Carol three times. This year she is excited to have a part she specifically tried out for. “This is a part I have wanted for a while,” she says.

Her character, The Ghost of Christmas Past, lets her explore her favorite thing about acting. “I can be as loud and obnoxious as I want. I can be big and strong and just happy.” She also likes that her character is the ghost that reveals the truth so clearly to Scrooge-- He is loved despite the fact that his family and friends think he is a scrooge.

Ask Rebekah what her favorite role to date has been and she states that it may just be this part she is playing although she really enjoyed playing the Sour Kangaroo in the Playmakers’ production of Seussical The Musical. But don’t even think about pigeon holing this young aspiring actor because guess her dream role? “I’ve always wanted to be Gaston (from Beauty and the Beast). I know. I am really weird,” she says.

When Rebekah is not throwing her acting talent around the stage she attends 9th grade at Canyon View High School where her favorite subject is French. In her spare time she reads, talks to friends and listens to music. You know, typical stuff for a teenager who is willing to spend hours practicing to be a ghost.

Kadi Norton – 15 – Narrator

Kadi has been in Playmakers’ A Christmas Carol four times. She loves it. “I am kind of nerd,” she says. “I love the text, I love Charles Dickens. His writing is beautiful. ” Although she played a narrator the first year she has always wanted to play the narrator again. This year Kadi unexpectedly got her wish and is the sole narrator.

Kadi caught the acting bug six years ago when she started with Playmakers in their production of The Pirates of Penzance. “My family has loved that play since I was little, so I decided I wanted to do it.” Acting is also a family affair for Kadi, her step-brother Jonathon Borrego is playing Ebenezer Scrooge in this season’s production, which makes for a convenient person to practice lines with.

Practicing scenes: Jacob Arnell as Bob Cratchit, Johnathan Borrego as Ebenezer Scrooge, and Jinger Axelson as Jacob Marley

Kadi has a passion for theater and relishes the many roles she has had a chance to play, especially her role as a brother in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. “I was a brother in a pink sparkly outfit. It was so much fun.” Her dream role is to someday play Eponine from Les Miserables. She would basically play any role just to get the chance to be in that musical.

In her spare time this sophomore from Cedar High school plays violin, reads or studies for her favorite school subjects, history and French. Hmmm, history and French? Sounds like a role in Les Miserables really should be in her theater future.

The Pit Orchestra -- Front Row: Talise Mosley (Blue Cello), Cierra Reid, Julia Wayment, Kerri Gifford, Kaitlyn Wilcox, Kathleen Gifford (With Green Cello).

2nd Row (With Flute) Kallee Asay, Joseph Arnell, Brenten Canfield, Isaac Hughes Not Shown: Katherine Lee, John Grafleman

Playmakers is all about developing a love for theater in our youth. Even the music is played by community youth. Unseen but definitely heard the orchestra in the pit is also made up of middle school and high school students. Music Director, LeGrande Anderson arranges music for the production based on his players skill level. Playmakers instills a sense of confidence in students,” said Michael Bahr, education director. “When students perform they learn about themselves and each other. I'm thrilled with the growth of the Playmakers students. Many are returning students and their confidence has grown."

From the 7-year-old to the 17-year-old, Playmakers A Christmas Carol promises to let you get a glimpse of some rising stars in theater.

When:

School matinees on December 15 and 16 at 10 a.m.

Public performances on December 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and

December 17 at 2 p.m.

Where:

Randall L. Jones Theatre

Utah Shakespeare Festival

351 W. Center St.

Cedar City, UT 84720

Tickets can be purchased at the Randall L. Jones Theater.