It seems most people in Avalon wear more than one hat when it comes to getting the work done that keeps the town’s Island lifestyle alive.
It seems most people in Avalon wear more than one hat when it comes to getting the work done that keeps the town’s Island lifestyle alive.
Sean Brannock is an Avalon multi-tasker who wears hats inside of some of his hats. No, he’s not a Dr. Seuss character, but he could probably play one on TV.
The city of Avalon Recreation director enjoyed growing up on Catalina. He has dedicated much of his adult working life to making sure the Island kids coming up behind him will be able to look back on some positive experiences that may help them shape a good quality of life later on.
In addition to his day job, Brannock keeps busy by offering the local youth opportunities to experience his passion for the theater arts. One way he does that is with Kids At Play, his own creation, in which he teaches kids about theater and has them perform in plays that he writes. He has been at it for more than 20 years and there are people who are now adults who can say they enjoyed being a part of his program.
Brannock is happy for the opportunity to do what he said he hopes helps some Avalon kids build self-esteem.
“The journey has indeed been fun and fantastical,” Brannock said on the eve of a gala on Aug. 11 of this year to celebrate the program’s 20th year. “I have learned so much about myself and where I belong in the whole scheme of things. I truly feel that I am fulfilling and will continue to fulfill my dreams … and I guess, my legacy. It’s almost too much to comprehend and it is humbling, for sure.”
The Shakespeare of Avalon children’s theater explained that he writes the plays so that he can create custom characters to fit the personalities and potential abilities of his young cast members.
“The writing gives me a creative outlet and also I can make sure that everyone in the program gets to do something,” he said. “It’s interesting to write for each individual kid’s personality. That way they get to have a chance for a real role in our plays, rather than being stuck in the chorus or playing a tree or some thing.”
In a society where funding for arts education in general has become scarce, Brannock lives on the front lines of those who are trying to keep it alive, in both the public school system and the private sector.
The saga continues this weekend as Kids At Play presents Brannock’s latest book “As Seen on TV: The Food Edition.”
The new Kids At Play show will be performed March 22, 23, and 24 at the Avalon School Auditorium.
“It’s part of a series of ‘As Seen on TV’ plays we have done,” Brannock said. “They are spoofs on modern pop culture. You know, movies, TV shows, songs, books and even soap operas. This one has a food slant. I like to think it’s got a ‘tasty’ slant.”
The play is made up of a series of small vignettes based on a storyline that starts with a group of girls who get together for a sleepover.
“They decide to try out some new recipes and they end up on a fantastical journey,” Brannock said.
From there,of course, the hijinks continue …
To find out what happens next, you will have to attend one of the performances.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students and seniors.
Tickets are available at the door.
Showtimes are: 7 p.m., Friday, March 22; 7 p.m., Saturday, March 23 and 2 p.m., Sunday, March 24.
Contemplating where he has been and where children of Kids At Play are going, Brannock said:
“May these players and all those before them, look back on their youth with fondness; filled with memories of their own fantastical journey, that they experienced both here on this stage and at Tremont Hall, while being in this amazing program and say to themselves ‘Life is good.’”
