About 20 years ago, Sean Brannock had an idea to bring children’s theatre to Avalon.
In 1993, he started Kids At Play and debuted its first production of “Where The Wild Things Are” in August of that year.
Two decades later, the program is still going strong, presenting two shows a year and giving local children a chance to participate in live theatre.
“I was hoping it would last when we started,” Brannock said. “That was my goal. It’s been a blessing it’s continued this long.”
About 20 years ago, Sean Brannock had an idea to bring children’s theatre to Avalon.
In 1993, he started Kids At Play and debuted its first production of “Where The Wild Things Are” in August of that year.
Two decades later, the program is still going strong, presenting two shows a year and giving local children a chance to participate in live theatre.
“I was hoping it would last when we started,” Brannock said. “That was my goal. It’s been a blessing it’s continued this long.”
Brannock and Kids At Play are preparing to present a “20 Year Gala Celebration” on Sunday, Aug. 11, in the Casino Theater.
The event will feature a live performance “20 Years In The Making” featuring current and alumni Kids At Play members.
“The show will have some of your favorite Kids At Play moments, filled with alumni and a great slide show and video presentation,” Brannock said. “You’ll laugh … You’ll cry … It will be better than Cats.”
The event will start with guests arriving via a red carpet, with time to socialize and reminisce from 2 to 3:30 p.m., when the show begins and runs to 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 or adults and $10 for students and the public is invited.
Kids At Play cast members include local youths in the seventh through eighth school grades.
Brannock remembered the troop’s humble beginnings.
“For Where The Wild Things Are,” the first production, it was only 20 minutes long,” he said. “The costumes were dyed long johns and the sets consisted of four pieces of plywood that were painted on the side of my house.”
But shows went on. Kids At Play celebrated its first anniversary with a production of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.”
“When we first started we adapted children’s books and stories,” Brannock said. “Then we moved into classic stories like ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Snow White’ and ‘Peter Pan.’”
In its early years, Kids At Play presented its shows at Tremont Hall. It still holds its rehearsals there, but the productions are presented it the Avalon School auditorium.
For the last 12 years Kids At Play has presented original plays scripted by Brannock and tailored to fit the personalities of the cast members.
“I had to start writing because the group was growing and I also wanted to match the kids with the characters they were portraying,” Brannock said.
Brannock said that since its inception, he’s wanted Kids At Play to be a fun program where the participants would learn to work together in an environment that encouraged their individuality and sense of self worth and esteem.
While he has yet to produce a De Niro or Striesand, he said that has not necessarily been the goal.
“I do have a couple of former students in the music or the film industry, but there are also many good memories for the members of Kids At Play,” Brannock said.
Hundreds of kids have been through the program since it began.
“I actually have three current kids whose parents were Kids At Play players,” Brannock said. “It has been an honor and a blessing to bring creativity through live performances over the 20 last years to this amazing community. The community has really been a great support and continues to encourage us to be creative and to continue to grow and expand our talents.
“I hope my legacy will be the amazing individuals I helped build their character … My life is better because of all the people who are and have been in it.”
Tickets to the Kids At Play “20 Year Gala Celebration” may be purchased at the door the day of the event, or call Elizabeth Wenger at (310) 510-1745.
