Dan's Papers - Issue #5 - April 27, 2007

To a child, the whole world is a stage. But, Helene Leonard has sized this stage to smaller proportions in the Hamptons for the past thirteen years, bringing joy and inspiration to children and teenagers. Helene escorts these young people past their inhibitions and gives them the gifts of confidence, poise and personal growth. With her bubbling personality and gentle nature, she shares her love of theatre with children, encouraging them to explore their innate talents and uncover skills lying beneath the surface.

There is such a wealth of knowledge that can be gained from spending time on stage and Helene provides this to the kids of the East End. There is more to acting than just memorizing lines, getting in a costume and performing in front of friends. It's about the learning process that goes along with putting together a show and Helene makes sure that the kids know the show is important. While she never stresses kids out about being perfect, she acknowledges that they should take pride in the final product. They work hard for the duration of the program and she makes sure the performances come together. From makeup to set design, lighting to sound, Stages is a professional experience where kids learn about all aspects of theatre. And, let me tell you, when a child first steps into the spotlight in pancake makeup with lines ingrained in his or her memory, it is a powerful experience.

The stage is a unique place where the actor is able to step out of their own skin and speak in someone else's voice. Not only does this process teach discipline, it fosters great compassion. The practice of imagining how a character would feel in a given situation can be carried through life and instill a sense of empathy. By performing at a young age, children learn what it's like to look at the world from someone else's point of view. A good actor is not only able to understand why a character might feel a certain way, but feel for the character as well.

Acting also teaches children to work as a team. Unless you are performing a monologue, acting is a team sport. No matter how well you nail your lines, you will lose an audience if the other actors on stage don't know theirs. There needs to be a certain dynamic, and to attain that, children must work together. Whether you are the star or in the chorus, you are vital to the performance and Helene always makes sure that the young people in her program understand that.

There is more to Stages than just the performance, though. The program is offered in several sessions throughout the year and the highly anticipated Summer Stock Theatre Workshop allows children to devote themselves entirely to the craft of theatre for a month at a time. During this time, Helene teaches drama, dance and music so the children can master the "triple threat." Through these classes, in which kids play games and do routines to master these skills, they are able not only to grow as actors, but to get to know each other as individuals.

In addition, Helene's selection of delightful plays get children acquainted with classic literature and beloved tales. These stories are often modified from their original scripts, set to music and choreographed. This month's rendition of The Wind in the Willows is based on the English children's classic by Kenneth Graham. This story was rewritten by Helene's late father, Jerry Leonard, for a television program that aired forty years ago. It tells the fun-filled story of Mr. Toad and his hilarious friends, McBadger, Rat and Mole. In this story, Mr. Toad has become passionate about car driving, but his friends try to discourage him. Of course, the determined Mr. Toad cannot be dissuaded. Madcap adventures follow, accompanied by lively songs and dances. It's a lighthearted story full of laughs and the perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy this weekend. The music and lyrics for this rendition of The Wind in the Willows were written by Jerry Leonard and John Petrone, with additional music by Larry Loeber.

The last time Stages performed The Wind in the Willows was in the winter of 2003, during a major snowstorm and only the bravest of fans ventured out to Guild Hall. Helene was determined for this generation of children's theatre lovers to catch the show and decided to run another performance. The cast and crew are very excited to have the chance to perform it again, as it's a magical show.

The Wind in the Willows will be performed by 44 local actors ranging in age from eight to seventeen, and they have been rehearsing for months. It is now coming to Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor. This venue, which has hosted such major stars as Alan Alda and Liza Minelli, is a remarkable place for children to get their first taste of theatre. Amanda Jones will be on the piano and James Benard will play on the percussion and bass to provide the musical accompaniment. Tickets are $12 for children and $15 for adults. Performances will be April 27 at 7:30 p.m., April 28 and April 29 at 2 p.m. For reservations call the Bay Street Theatre at (631) 725-9500. For more information on Stages' popular Summer Stock program call (631) 329-1420.