ABERDEEN, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The first play of 2024 in Aberdeen will be put on by the Young People’s Theatre, which will be presenting Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt.
Numerous young people have gotten the “wind in their sails” through the performing arts at the Young People’s Theatre productions in Aberdeen. The Young People’s Theatre operates in a location that opened in 1927, the Capitol Theater.
The play’s director, Claire Vetter, was asked how she directs a cast with members as young as seven years old.
“Kids of a certain age can be kind of tricky to work with, but I think it’s so great having them come in and go through their own creative process and express their creativity,” said Vetter.
Vetter said the experience is a confidence-builder for the young actors, but a production during the school year could also enhance their education.
“There’s a skill of reading comprehension and knowing how to speak properly and what punctuation means and why it’s important, and then also just meeting new people, learning how to express yourself. So, there’s a grand scheme of education things that go on here,” said Vetter.
One of the young cast members is the 11-year-old star of the play, Eden Barkmeier. She discussed how she got her start in theater.
“I was about four, and my mom and I were just like, ‘I don’t know, I just love dancing around and having fun singing’ and my mom was like, ‘I feel like you should try out for a little play.’ And I was like ‘okay,’ said Barkmeier.
Barkmeier also gave an overview of the performance she’ll lead.
“This girl Judy Moody and her brother, Stink, are going, they’re having a treasure hunt and they’re going through all these clues so they can get a gold doubloon and a T-shirt with words,” said Barkmeier.
This was important because Judy’s friends came back from vacation with ‘words’ on their T-shirts such as Sea World and Disneyland.
Performances of Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt will take place February 9th and 10th at 7:30 p.m. and February 11th at 2:30 p.m. Tickets and more information can be found here.
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