Final Weekend for SCCT's 'Monsters' AND 'Annie'

Mustang Theater will be put to the test this weekend--not only will the stage in San Carlos' popular performing arts center metamorphose into a child's closet, within a few hours it will be transformed into into a 1880s Western town.

This theatrical transformation of course doesn't happen magically--the switch from  afternoon performances of Monster in the Closet to evening performances of Annie Get Your Gun will be carefully choreographed and executed by the crew and cast of San Carlos Children's Theater (SCCT) ,  led by director Eron Block. 

"We are doing two shows in rep this time," says the energetic Block during recent rehearsal.

Block explained that the two shows appeal to theater goers of all ages. The 1:00 matinee show, Monsters in the Closet, featuring a cast of 8-13 year-olds actors, is geared for younger audiences. And a lively, revival version of Annie Get Your Gun takes the stage at 7:00 p.m.

"We're going from a modern day kids room in Monsters, to traveling through the Western U.S. and the world in the 1800s with Annie," explained Block.

Two shows means two casts--and those casts are made up of young actors, actresses, singers and dancers, many of whom are performing in their sixth, seventh, even eighth SCCT production.

       Click on the video above for interviews with SCCT cast and crew!

Georgie Trembly, who plays Annie Oakley, has is a veteran SCCT performer, and has even acted alongside her dad, Jim Trembly, when he played a flying monkey in a recent production of The Wizard of Oz.

"Everybody is so friendly here--we're like one big family," said Georgie, a sophomore at Carlmont High School. 

And for Lauren Pittock, coming back to SCCT in the role of assistant choreographer has really topped off her experience in youth theater.
"This is my eight production with SCCT and I really like working with the cast and crew!" said Lauren, a Carlmont High School student.

Lauren will be assisting choreographers Daina Block and Caitlin Savage on both shows. 

Pulling off dual shows in the course of one day can be a true test of any stage crew's mettle, but Block is confident in his young staff.

"It's a full day affair with our technical crew. From 9:00-3:00 we're setting up and performing Monsters, then at 3:00 we strike, then from 3-10:00 it's Annie," explained Block. 

There are some members of the technical crew who overlap on both shows, including set designer Xanthie and co-designer Justin Levine. And of course, what would a theater production be without proper sound and lighting? Trevor Lemp, who is usually dangling high above the stage on a scaffolding of some sort, oversees sound and light design for both shows. 

But above and beyond the theatrics, Block emphasizes SCCT is part 21st century learning.

"Whether the kids are performing or not, they are learning problem solving, teamwork, communication and social skills, and these are things that help build human beings and things they will take with them out into the world," said Block. 

Monsters in the Closet

PERFORMANCES

July 26-28
All performances are at 1:00 p.m.

LOCATION

Mustang Hall, Central Middle School
828 Chestnut Street, San Carlos

TICKETS

$12 students 18 and under, $15 adults. To purchase, click here.

For more information, go to http://www.scctkids.com/full-width-2/monster-in-the-closet/

Annie Get Your Gun

PERFORMANCES

July 26-28
All performances are at 7:00 p.m.

LOCATION

Mustang Hall, Central Middle School
828 Chestnut Street, San Carlos

TICKETS

$12 students 18 and under, $15 adults. To purchase, click here.

For more information, go to http://www.scctkids.com/full-width-2/annie-get-your-gun/