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News-Sun photo by SAMANTHA GHOLAR Children's Academy of Theater actor Hope Flores rehearses Friday afternoon with fellow cast members. Flores is gearing up for her role as ÔPuck' in ÔA Kidsummer Night's Dream', an adaptation of William Shakespeare's ÔA Midsummer Night's Dream'.

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published: Sunday, July 01, 2012

Young actors ready to present 'A Kidsummer Night's Dream' in AP

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

AVON PARK -- Summers are filled with dreams and magic, or at least this upcoming week will be for the Children's Academy of Theater, Inc.

For the 13th year, the CAT will be presenting their adaptation of a classic piece of literature on stage for the community to enjoy.

Founder and Director Krista Flores has worked countless hours with the cast and off-stage help to present her adaptation of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" which Flores calls "A Kidsummer Night's Dream."

"I really felt the need to do something magical and fantastic. I've never done this play with CAT before, but I wanted to spread the magic to everyone and have a midsummer night's dream. I wanted to do something fantastic," Flores explained.

"A Kidsummer Night's Dream" will begin it's week-long production Monday at 11 a.m. The show will run daily (excluding July 4) at 11 a.m. until Saturday at the Avon Park Community Center at 310 W. Main St. General admission is $5.

The well-known Shakespeare play had to be changed and tweaked a bit in order to give young actors an opportunity to let their full potential show.

"It has all the same characters of Shakespeare's play and pretty much the same plot and idea. We've adapted it for the kids vernacular. We wanted to it to be in today's language and speech," Flores said.

The uniqueness of the CAT is that it provides attendees with a different sort of summer camp, one where they not only have fun with traditional summer activities but where they learn and grow as students as well as artists.

"This camp gives them the opportunity to learn all the different disciplines of the arts. They learn lines, they learn stage direction, costume design, set-up. It allows them to be creative and express themselves," said Flores.

This year, CAT has teamed up with local, well-known artists to help bring together what is sure to be a great show.

The "shoestring" budget has proved to be a challenge for Flores after grants (the 501 c3 non-profit organization runs off of sponsors and donations) have been slashed, but she makes it work through the help of volunteers and local teens.

Musical director Dixon Taylor, artist and set designer Pamela Jay Paralikis, costume designer Phyllis Jones (with assistants Jean Jawahir and Peggy Miller), assistant director Samantha Berry and Flores' husband and scenery constructor Robert Flores have all pitched in to create the magical production.

"I strongly believe that artists should be compensated for their work. I have been so blessed to have these ladies come to me and volunteer their time and talents.

"That means a lot to me. They see what we are doing here and they want to be a part of it and mentor young, budding artists," Flores said.

Each of the volunteers are just as happy to be a part of the event as Flores and her cast.

"It's been a real challenge but it's been fun," said Jones. "She (Flores) is amazing. Not only does she teach them to act, she teaches them etiquette. She teachers them manners and life skills. It's impressed me. She's amazed me with what she's done with these kids."

The 15-member cast has been rehearsing daily for the past week in preparation of the week-long production.

Each of the actors, ages 8 to 17, have memorized lines, songs and movements that will showcase their talents and creativity.

Donations, sponsors and volunteers are greatly appreciated. For info on volunteering or donating contact Flores at 212-0800.