By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Paradise Flats Theatre Collective will present the first of two performances this morning, featuring local students.
The program started as a theater program for Plainville elementary students as part of its summer school program.
Last year, USD 270 opened the program to all students and added a section for students in grades 3 through 12. The program has more than doubled since the expansion, with students coming from six schools, as well as home-schooled students participating, music teacher Adam Flax said.
This year, the young student program had 63 enrolled students, and the older student session had 30 enrolled students.
"It's been exciting to see it grow," Flax said.
In addition to practicing for their performance, the students have been learning about theater traditions and superstitions this week, Flax said.
The younger students' program will culminate at 10:30 a.m. today with a "Peter Pan" performance at the Plainville High School auditorium. All are welcome. Admission is through a free-will donation.
The older students' session will begin on Monday and culminate with a "Broadway Ever After" performance at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 27, also at the Plainville High School auditorium. The show is a compilation of Broadway favorites, all with fairy tale themes.
"I think the program emphasizes teamwork when you have to put a show together, especially in a short time," Flax said.
The students are also encouraged to flex their imaginations and put themselves in other people's shoes.
"They also get exposure to theater and the arts," Flax said. "They don't get a lot of access to that, especially in this area. They latch onto it and come back summer after summer to be a part of it."
