This year’s Children’s Show, an annual production at Neuqua, is drawing near, with opening night being October 4. The show is titled What Happened After Once Upon a Time, and it details how happily ever after does not always work out.
The main director of the show is teacher Mary Van Milligen, who has been directing the Children’s Show for many years. As a result, Van Milligen has long since overcome the challenges that come with the role, facilitating communication between those involved to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
When it comes to making the show interesting for children, Van Milligen has a few tricks which have worked throughout her directing career. To start, the actors must be very dramatic, portraying emotions in a larger and more comical style. On top of this, the show is made to be interactive, which allows the characters to break the fourth wall and look to the audience for answers. These stylistic elements keep the young audience members entertained and engaged.
The show is not just for children, however. A lot of work has gone into making this show entertaining for older audiences as well. The show features a 1980s and 1990s soundtrack and utilizes more complex humor so that even parents will enjoy it.
While proud of the production as a whole, Van Milligen reveals that her favorite part of the Children’s Show is something truly heartwarming一the cast. “[They] are just positive, and inclusive, and eager, and creative,” she says. “It’s just good vibes all around.” The cast has been working hard together since early September and are confident about their upcoming performances.
If you are interested in attending the Children’s Show, or know someone who would, we highly encourage that you do! The production quality and wonderful cast will have you smiling and laughing your way through the evening. Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.nvhstheatre.com
Photographs by Joshua Barlan and Zaina Khan
