For two years, we’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, one of our community partners, to cast and rehearse students (Ages 5–13) for their production of A Christmas Carol’s Youth Ensemble. The Youth Ensemble is directed by Adena Varner, Director of Learning and Community Engagement at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Many of the students cast are members of COCA’s Pre-Professional Division (PPD) Theatre Artist Program.
The Youth Ensemble consists of two casts:
BLUE Youth Ensemble
Kaelyn McCurtis, Danity Gates, Spencer Slavik, Rachel Spizler, Arden Powell, Laine Auffenberg, Milo Baker, Alexander Curtis, Lorelai Radu, Margot Perkowski, Vince Emmanuel Meyer
GREEN Youth Ensemble
Aspen Meyer, Devynn Yakel, Cheyenne Evans, Christopher Evans, Jaron Bentley, Rian Page, Georgia Reynolds, Christopher Varner, Sarah Bentley, Imi Schneider, Makenna Hosey
There’s still time to ring in the spirit of the season and see the talented youth perform in The Rep’s second annual production of A Christmas Carol, directed by Hana S. Sharif. The adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic runs through December 30 at the Loretto-Hilton Center for Performing Arts in Webster Groves.
Hear from five students in the Youth Ensemble about their experience working with The Rep team and professional performers, what the process has been like, and their favorite parts of the production.
Spencer Slavik
Peter, School Boy, Urchin
What has it been like to work with the youth team?
Working with the youth team has been great because everybody—all the adults and everyone—just really makes sure the youth group knows what they’re doing and is prepared to go on stage. If you have a question, you feel comfortable asking that question.
What have you enjoyed the most?
The best part about being in the youth group is that I’m the oldest in the youth group so I get to be a leader, and I can help draw some of the kids’ attention back in and help them do their best so that feels good.
What has been your favorite part of A Christmas Carol?
My favorite part is how much the technology influences the realness of the show. Like on stage when I’m acting, I feel like I’m in the Victorian age in London watching an inventor guy with steam coming out of his cart which is really cool, and there’s a guy coming out of the floor with chains on him and it’s really magical because I can believe that and it’s easy to do that.
Rachel Spizler
Tiny Tim, Past Attendant, Urchin
What has it been like to work with the youth team?
It’s been amazing to work with this talented group of children like me, working with people who are like me and enjoy the same interests as me.
What has been your favorite part of A Christmas Carol?
In the end where the snow falls on us in the audience, it feels so magical!
Danity Gates
Belinda, Past Attendant, Urchin
What has it been like to work with the youth team?
Working with the youth team is really nice. They are all sweet, welcoming, and generous.
What have you enjoyed the most?
What I’ve enjoyed the most is probably working on scenes upstairs and being a part of the process of making the scene magical.
What has been your favorite part of A Christmas Carol?
Either its between Marley’s entrance or ghost of Christmas Past’s entrance. Marley’s entrance I like how he flies up into the air with those chains on and also his stage effects make-up. I also like Ghost of Christmas Past and all her dolls.
Vince Meyer
Young Scrooge, Urchin
What has it been like to work with the youth team?
It’s been great working with people of all ages—some younger and some older. It’s been a great experience.
What have you enjoyed the most?
Working together for a long time, creating something beautiful, that thousands of people can come to see.
What has been your favorite part of A Christmas Carol?
I could say teen scrooge and fan, but also the Cratchit when Tiny Tim isn’t there. It’s sad and really moving. I love it.
Kaelyn McCurtis
Fan, Urchin
What has it been like to work with the youth team?
The youth team is so incredibly supportive. I love learning with them and learning from them, and they’re awesome. We’ve really made a family.
What have you enjoyed the most?
I’ve probably enjoyed the relationships that I’ve made. It’s very easy to make friends with people who have the same interests as me, and I’ve enjoyed a lot of learning about the whole process.
What has been your favorite part of A Christmas Carol?
The ghost of Christmas Past because she’s so pretty.