A week of theater and arts is returning to the Backus Community Center June 11-16.
The week called Summer Arts at Backus, will feature Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre presenting “Beauty and the Beast,” an original musical production by the organization. Art classes under the direction of local artists will also be offered.
‘Beauty and the Beast’
Auditions for “Beauty and the Beast” will be at 8:30 a.m., June 11 at Backus Community Center Auditorium. Auditions are open to anyone ages 7 through 18. All students who audition are guaranteed a part in the production.
Two professional actors/directors from the Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre staff will conduct the auditions as well as direct the production and play roles in the play.
Rehearsals will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. throughout the week, with the performance slated for 7 p.m. June 16 in Backus Auditorium.
Art class
Art classes will be held in addition to play practice from 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., are open to anyone ages 5 and up. Class choices are: watercolor painting, art exploration, play with clay, self-portraits, sculpture and lightning’ lasers.
An art exhibit is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. June 16 in the Backus dining room. The laser shows will be available at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., in The Dungeon, which is adjacent to Backus.
Other information
According to program organizers, registration for Summer Arts at Backus is due by June 1. Cost per student is $55 for the theatre program and $25 for an art class. Cost after June 1 is $60 for theatre program and $30 for art classes. Lunch is provided free or charge for all participants, sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education.
Registration forms are available at Backus Community Center and on the web site, www.backusab.org. For more information, call Backus at 285-7225.
This activity is funded through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and a grant from the Marshall N. Knudson Family Community Fund.
