THIBODAUX – The classic tale of Cinderella will come to life on the Talbot Theater stage at Nicholls State University this weekend, courtesy of almost 50 performing arts campers, ages 5 to 17. “G2K Cinderella” is part of the “Getting to Know” series, which adapts the full-length musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein for young performers.
The show is suitable for the whole family and runs about 60 minutes. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 29 and 30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 1.
This year’s participants represent almost two-dozen different schools, including public, private and home-school settings. They travel daily from all over Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes, and some from beyond, to attend the four-week camp sponsored by the Nicholls Office of Continuing Education.
The part of Cinderella will be played by Christina Samanie of Houma, and the Prince will be played by Will Clark, who lives in Kentucky. He spends the month with his grandmother, Dr. Carol Britt, head of the Department of Music, so that he can attend the camp. This will be Clark’s fourth production and Christina’s third.
Other supporting actors and their roles include Ashley Melancon, as the Stepmother, and Hannah Verret and Madison Rousse as stepsisters Portia and Joy. Katie Fonseca will play the Godmother, while Jacob McManus and Emily Guidry will portray the King and Queen – with Amber Gatlin as the Herald.
Townspeople, palace staff and other roles will be played by Alyssa Guidry, the Chef; Joseph Davis, the Butcher; Samantha Bush, Cheese Steward; and Anna Gautreaux, Dessert Chef. Additional performers include Chelse Aizen, Kaitlyn Babin, Julie Benoit, Kate Bergeron, Quin Bergeron, Shawnna Bergeron, Taylor Bergeron, Rachel Carter, Anna Chadwick, Celie Collins, Peyton Crochet, Beth Curole, Ariana Dardar, Jacee Dupree, Grace Falgoust, Karena Johnson, Lauren Leonard, Symone Leonard, Paige Martinez, Kate Paige, Jenna Pate, Samuel Pitre, Baley Reeves, Sophia Robichaux, Taylor Roussel, Sophia Sirois, Zalayar Spurlock, Kiana Tarr, Beth Thibodeaux, Kamryn Thomas, Aly Wong, Emmy Wong and Emma Zeringue.
Pat Hornsby Crochet, retired theater teacher from the Terrebonne Parish School District, directs the camp and the productions. This year marks her 12th camp at Nicholls.
Rikki Edwards, owner and instructor at Ms. Rikki’s Center for Performing Arts, choreographs the show and serves as dance and movement instructor, while Angela Jones-Landry, vocal director at H. L. Bourgeois High School, serves as music director. Additional contributors include Arielle Domingue, vocal coach and assistant music director; Mariella Jimenez and Dillon Hughes, instructors’ assistants; and various parents and grandparents who have helped with sets, props and costumes.
The camp lasts 19 days and includes theater instruction combined with intense rehearsal. Simone Harris, director of continuing education, oversees this summer program in addition to several other activities for area children.
Tickets are $8 and may be purchased at the door. For additional information, call (985) 448-4444.
