Thoroughly Modern Millie
7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday,
2 p.m. Friday-Sunday
Sooner Theatre
101 E. Main, Norman
www.soonertheatre.org
321-9600
$10 adults, $5 kids 12 and under
A lot of work goes into staging a musical. Over the last month, the cast and crew of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," all ages 13-18, have been getting hands-on experience in that process as part of Sooner Theatre's Young Producers camp.
In addition to rehearsing four hours a day during the week going over lines, music and choreography, many of the participants stay on with the company to help build and paint sets, gather props, work on costumes and help with the promotion of the show.
"Young Producers gives our older students an opportunity to sing, dance, act and become much more involved in the other areas of putting the show together," said Sooner's executive director and camp co-director, Jennifer Baker. "We want them to have a well-rounded understanding of what it takes to put on a theater production."
For students Colleen McLaughlin and MacKay Whalen, the experience has been worth coming back for every year since the camp began in 2005.
"It's really fun to be around these people, and it's good experience and practice if you want to pursue a career in musical theater," McLaughlin said.
Whalen agreed.
"Everyone is happy to be here and happy to be performing," she said. "I feel like I've grown as a performer and as a person. I love the directors "? they're the greatest "? because they're wonderful people and all they want to do is see you succeed, as a performer and at life."
Set in 1920s New York City, the Tony Award-winning "Millie" tells the story of young Kansas girl Millie Dillmount, who has just moved to the city to find a new life for herself. She discovers a world full of intrigue and jazz, a time when women were entering the workforce, and the rules of love and social behavior were changing.
"Millie" was selected to contrast with the last two Young Producers shows, 2008's "Fiddler on the Roof" production and "Les Mis
