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Highlands Today

Young Actors Get In The Role

Students Enjoy Summer Break Acting In SFCC Program

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Laura Wade, artistic director, directs students on stage for SFCC Summer Theatre Institute's production of Into the Woods, Monday, at the Highlands Little Theatre in Sebring.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: June 24, 2008

SEBRING — Seemingly, none of 28 kids at Highlands Little Theatre Monday would spend their summer break from school any other way than rehearsing for a play.

While some of their fellow students were sleeping late, watching the tube or traveling, this troupe of dedicated child actors hits the boards daily, starting at 9 a.m. to practice for four July performances on the big stage at HLT.

Bethany Finney, 14, is home-schooled in Avon Park. She chose to attend the South Florida Summer Theater Institute rather than spend the summer "doing nothing."

Finney is a chorus member in the drama camp's production of "Into the Woods Junior."
The group is composed of gifted students from Sebring and Avon Park middle and high schools, and Hill-Gustat and Lake Placid middle schools.

"I do like learning, especially about the theater," said Finney. "You get to be somebody you're not and let your emotions out."

Finney is a stage veteran of two previous HLT productions, plus worked backstage and behind the scenes on several others.

The mezzo-soprano talked about meeting weekdays, five days a week, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The seventh- through twelve-graders are rigidly schooled in acting, singing and dancing.

"They teach me to breathe from the diaphragm, to project louder and fuller," said Finney. "And about resonance, tone quality and the soft palate."

Scott Jahnke, 16, attends Harrison School for the Performing Arts in Lakeland and dances his way through the role of "The Wolf "in an adaptation of "Little Red Riding Hood," "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Cinderella."

Jahnke gave up a six-week visit with his father in upstate New York to dance, act and sing in the student production. The tenor dreams of making a living as a choreographer.

"If I let my teachers push me and strive for my goal, I think anything is possible to reach my goal," said Jahnke, who often stars on stage with his mother and mentor, Kathi Jahnke.

Lindsay Lynch started acting as a kid at HLT and is the SFCC director of grants and development. This is the program's sixth year in Sebring. It operates thanks to a $23,000 grant from the state of Florida.

Older students receive college and high school credit for performing the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical.

Several cast members hope to make a career in the performing arts, but also have set up backup plans to fall back on. During the summer session, the young thespians learn all aspect of the theater, including stage production and set building.

"We teach them more than the theater arts, including leadership skills and team work" said Lynch. "You teach them that there's a lot of hard work involved. It's not just that they can sing well.

You just don't get there without all the work. They're just hungry for the knowledge and just soak anything up."

The musical is an adaptation or "Broadway Junior." An adult version was slimmed down to 90 minutes and songs were reworked for younger children voices.

Director Laura Wade of Sebring said that while everyone is talented, what most separates some from others is dedication.

"They pick up stuff very easily, and there's never a discipline problem," said Wade. "They're growing up. Every time you get on stage, it gets better."

Grace Biron, a seventh-grader at Sebring Middle School and Kaley Walter, a ninth-grader at Sebring High School, are both taking on the roles as Cinderella's wicked step sisters.

"We just get out of school and we go here," said Biron. "It's exhausting."
"But in the end, it's all worth it," said Walter.

Tickets for performances on July 10, 11, 12 and 13 will cost $5 and be available at the box office, by phone at 382-2525, or at www.highlandslittletheatre.org

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