With the curtains closed on Storyland Theatre’s 2020-2021 season, Barbara Feldman has looked for unique ways to engage the schoolchildren who comprise the theater group’s audience.
In April, a new production will be available for teachers and homeschool groups.
“This is a whole new concept for us,” said Feldman.
“Humphrey Clinker Gets His Wish” is a multimedia presentation utilizing the voice talents of actors Sol Baird, M. Sawyer Branham, Michael Silvio Fortino, Beth Goolsby and Austin Rhodes.
Rick Davis wrote the story, and Susan Burgess composed the music for this production which features the actors bringing “artfully designed characters” to life.
The production uses still illustrations created by artist Micki Cohen as well as movement and special effects to bring the story together. Rob Forbes’ skill as audio engineer, editor and animator polished the final product.
Feldman said she knows that audiences will love the story of Humphrey, his wife, Margery, their dog, Ned, and three fairies.
The project has been in the works for several months.
The theater group performs three different shows each season. The 2019-2020 season was cut short due to COVID-19. Performances of “Beauty and the Beast” were scheduled for April 2020.
After the show was canceled, Feldman took one of the archived performances of “Jack and the Beanstalk” and put it online. A few months later, another archived performance, this time of “Cinderella” was presented online.
All of these projects are being shown free.
With “Humphrey Clinker Gets His Wish,” the presentation will be free to teachers and students, but they must register with the number of students viewing the performance. Registration began about a week ago, and more than 1,200 students are signed up to view it, Feldman said.
She hopes that other groups will sign up as well. Home school groups are also welcomed to register.
Because school groups are the main audience, Feldman said they will get the first opportunity to see the production. After that, it will be on the Storyland Theatre website for general viewing.
Any teacher or home school group interested in registering to view the production, should email storylandtheatre@gmail.com.
Feldman said financially the 2020-2021 season has been challenging. With no in-person events and allowing the shows to be viewed free, the organization has not yielded any box office receipts.
Donations are not required to view “Humphrey Clinker Gets His Wish,” but it wasn’t cost-free to create.
Storyland Theatre is a 501 c3 non-profit. Donations can be made at the organization’s website storylandtheatre.org or mailed to P.O. Box 14875, Augusta 30919-0875.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the features editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
